he stepped closer

oking at me like a dog looks at a chew

k of utter confusion and sh

ned and pinned me in place. Before I could even make sense

rt thundered loudly in my chest, mirroring his that thudde

oul

hing-anything-that explained what was happening. My thoughts felt d

d been orphaned since my last glimpse of consciousness. My adopted parents were...n

this isn

he knew me. Like

was e

't know who I had expected to meet-but it was

ate universe where Adrian was the perfect man. Except it's not, the warmth in his e

my shoulders. His gaze searched my face like he

tare at him in

e observed my conflicted face, "Why are you so quiet

d not

idn't know how to exist in a space without being noticed. Silence was safer. Silence didn't get me

ated now. His head

u angry

again, as if he rememb

" he exclaimed. " I got caught up tr

h caught

and pulled out a small bl

wed down to that si

. A diamond that caught every piece of light in the

t it. It was im

t. A stunning heart shaped diamond stone say on the mid

ging my eyes away from the ring. He looked unsure, boyish in a

ing say lodged in my throat, preventing me from speaking. Was this re

would be thrown into another basement or attic and treated similarly or maybe

ier workers. But I'd been met with the exact opposite, the atmosp

le before breaking me? Was I on the set of another family reality show, to sh

onfirm something first. W

hold on my shoulders. I will myself t