Chapter 11: The Night That Felt Too Close
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Lina lay stiffly on one side of the bed, barely daring to move. Beside her, Adrian slept peacefully, his breathing steady and calm.
But Lina couldn't sleep.
Her heart was beating too fast.
It had been three years since they first slept together as husband and wife. Back then, she remembered how nervous she was, how gentle Adrian had been, how he had pulled her closer in the middle of the night.
But now…
Everything felt different.
He was beside her again.
Yet he wasn't truly hers.
Lina slowly turned her head.
Adrian looked peaceful in his sleep.
His hair fell slightly across his forehead.
Without thinking, Lina reached out.
Her fingers hovered near his hair.
Then she stopped.
No.
She shouldn't.
She slowly pulled her hand back.
Just then—
Adrian suddenly moved.
He shifted closer.
Before Lina could react—
His arm wrapped around her waist.
Lina froze.
Her entire body stiffened.
Adrian pulled her closer unconsciously, like he had done countless times before.
His warmth surrounded her.
Her face turned red instantly.
"Adrian…"
She whispered softly.
But he didn't respond.
He was still asleep.
Lina realized—
He did this unconsciously.
Her heart softened.
Even without memories…
His body still remembered her.
Slowly…
Her tense body relaxed.
She carefully adjusted herself, allowing him to hold her.
For the first time since the accident—
Lina fell asleep peacefully.
—
Morning came slowly.
Sunlight filled the room.
Adrian stirred slightly.
He frowned.
Something felt… warm.
Soft.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Then froze.
Lina was in his arms.
Her face resting against his chest.
Her hand lightly holding his shirt.
Adrian blinked.
His heart suddenly raced.
What…?
He remembered last night.
They slept on the same bed.
But…
He didn't remember holding her.
Yet—
He didn't feel uncomfortable.
Instead…
He felt calm.
Comfortable.
Like it was natural.
Lina stirred slightly.
Her eyes slowly opened.
Then she froze too.
Their faces were very close.
Very close.
Her heart skipped wildly.
"Good morning…" she whispered nervously.
Adrian looked at her silently.
Then he slowly loosened his arm.
"Morning."
Lina quickly sat up.
Her face flushed.
"I… I'll make breakfast."
She hurried out of bed.
Adrian watched her leave.
His chest still felt warm.
He didn't understand why…
But he didn't dislike it.
—
Downstairs…
Lina moved quickly in the kitchen.
Her face still red.
She tried to calm herself.
Her heart was still racing.
Just then—
Mrs. Blake entered.
"You're up early."
Lina smiled softly.
"Yes."
Mrs. Blake noticed her flushed face.
She smiled knowingly.
"Did you sleep well?"
Lina hesitated.
"Yes…"
Mrs. Blake chuckled softly.
"I'm glad."
She looked relieved.
She had worried Adrian would reject Lina completely.
But things seemed to be improving.
—
Meanwhile upstairs…
Adrian got out of bed slowly.
He walked around the room.
His eyes fell on another photo.
It showed him and Lina cooking together.
Both smiling.
He stared at it.
A faint image flashed in his mind.
A kitchen.
Lina laughing.
Flour on her face.
Adrian froze.
The image disappeared instantly.
He frowned.
A headache followed.
He pressed his temples.
Fragments.
Just fragments.
But they felt real.
Very real.
After a moment, he walked downstairs.
Lina was setting breakfast.
Their eyes met.
Lina smiled gently.
"Breakfast is ready."
Adrian nodded.
He sat down.
Mrs. Blake watched quietly.
They looked like a normal couple.
It made her heart warm.
Just then—
The doorbell rang.
Lina walked to open the door.
When she opened it—
She froze.
"Sophia…"
Sophia smiled sweetly.
"I came to visit."
Lina stepped aside politely.
"Come in."
Sophia entered.
Her eyes immediately scanned the house.
Then she noticed Adrian.
She smiled warmly.
"You're already home."
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Sophia walked closer.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better."
Sophia sat beside him.
Too close.
Lina noticed.
Her heart tightened slightly.
Mrs. Blake frowned.
She didn't like this at all.
Sophia looked around.
"This place still looks the same."
Adrian looked at her.
"You've been here before?"
Sophia nodded casually.
"Of course. I used to visit."
Mrs. Blake's expression hardened.
But she stayed silent.
Lina lowered her gaze.
She didn't know what to say.
Sophia turned to Adrian again.
"You should take a walk later."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"Maybe."
Sophia smiled.
"I'll go with you."
Lina's fingers tightened slightly.
But she stayed silent.
Then—
Adrian spoke.
"I'll go with Lina."
Sophia froze.
Lina looked surprised.
Mrs. Blake smiled faintly.
Sophia forced a smile.
"Of course."
But her eyes darkened slightly.
—
After breakfast…
Adrian and Lina walked outside.
The garden was quiet.
Flowers bloomed softly.
They walked side by side.
Silence filled the air.
Finally, Adrian spoke.
"Did we come here often?"
Lina nodded.
"Yes."
"You like flowers?"
Lina smiled softly.
"You planted them."
Adrian stopped walking.
"I did?"
Lina nodded.
"You said… you wanted to see me smile every morning."
Adrian froze.
His chest tightened.
He looked at the flowers again.
A faint warmth filled his heart.
They continued walking.
Suddenly—
Lina stumbled slightly.
Before she fell—
Adrian grabbed her waist.
Their bodies pressed close.
Lina's heart jumped.
Adrian looked at her.
Their eyes locked.
Time seemed to slow.
Neither moved.
Neither spoke.
Then—
Adrian realized how close they were.
He slowly let go.
"Be careful."
Lina nodded softly.
"Thank you."
But both of them felt the change.
The distance between them…
Was slowly disappearing.
Inside the house…
Sophia watched from the window.
Her eyes darkened.
Her nails dug into her palm.
She whispered softly—
"You're getting closer again…"
Her lips curved slightly.
"But I won't let that happen."
Because Sophia…
Had already decided.
If Adrian's heart started returning to Lina…
She would destroy it—
Before it fully came back.