The day didn't feel normal.
Even when everything looked normal.
Elena noticed it first in the small things.
The way the hallway went quiet when she passed.
The way someone turned away too quickly.
The way her name was whispered… then not.
Her chest tightened.
"Stop overthinking," she whispered.
Lie.
She walked faster.
Back to her office.
Closed the door behind her.
Locked it.
That helped.
A little.
She exhaled slowly.
"You're fine."
Lie.
Her phone buzzed.
She grabbed it instantly.
Unknown number.
Her breath caught.
She stared at the screen.
Then—
Answered.
"Yes?"
Silence.
Her chest tightened.
Then—
A voice.
Soft.
"You shouldn't be alone."
Her heart dropped.
"Who is this?"
A pause.
Then—
"You know."
Her hand tightened around the phone.
"No."
A soft laugh.
"That's the problem."
The line cut.
Silence.
Heavy.
Her breath became uneven.
"They found me."
Her chest tightened.
Again.
She stood quickly.
Moved to the door.
Unlocked it.
Then stopped.
What if they were outside?
Her heart slammed.
She stepped back.
"No," she whispered.
She wasn't weak.
But this wasn't normal.
This wasn't something she could control.
Across the city—
Adrian didn't wait.
He was already moving.
Fast.
"Where is she?" he said sharply.
A voice on the line.
"In her office."
His jaw tightened.
"Anyone inside?"
"No."
That didn't reassure him.
"I'm on my way."
He ended the call.
Didn't wait.
Didn't think.
He moved.
This wasn't control anymore.
This was instinct.
Back in the office—
Elena stood still.
Listening.
Every sound felt louder.
Every movement felt closer.
Her heart wouldn't slow down.
Then—
A knock.
Soft.
Too soft.
Her breath stopped.
"Elena."
Her heart slammed.
That voice.
She froze.
"Elena, open the door."
Her chest tightened.
No.
Something was wrong.
That wasn't right.
"Go away," she said.
Silence.
Then—
The handle moved.
Locked.
Her breath caught.
"Open the door," the voice said again.
Closer now.
Her chest tightened.
"No."
A pause.
Then—
The handle pushed harder.
And then—
Another voice.
Sharp.
Cold.
"Step away from the door."
Everything stopped.
Her breath caught.
Adrian.
The tension snapped instantly.
Silence.
Then—
Footsteps.
Running.
Away.
Elena didn't move.
Her hands shaking.
The door opened.
Adrian stepped inside.
Fast.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
His eyes went straight to her.
"Are you okay?"
Her breath caught.
"Yes."
Barely.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
"You didn't open the door."
Her voice shook.
"No."
A pause.
Then—
"Good."
Silence.
She looked at him.
Really looked.
"You came anyway."
A beat.
Then—
"Yes."
Her heart skipped.
Again.
"You said this ends," she said quietly.
A pause.
Then—
"I was wrong."
Silence.
That changed everything.
He stepped closer.
No distance now.
"You're not safe without me."
Her chest tightened.
"That's not an answer."
His voice dropped.
"It's the truth."
Silence.
And this time—
She didn't argue.
Because now…
She felt it too.