The house was quiet, bathed in the silver light of the moon. Adrian sat at the edge of his bed, his head bowed, his shirt unbuttoned, revealing the defined lines of his chest. The weight of the day lingered heavily on his shoulders, but it wasn't just the day that gnawed at him—it was the nights.
Nights like this.
He exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his dark hair. Joi's face flashed in his mind, fragile and pale, her doe-like eyes shadowed with fear and exhaustion. She needed him—depended on him. But even as he swore to protect her, his body betrayed him.
He clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms. How could he even think about his own needs when she was barely holding herself together? Yet, desire was a relentless thing, clawing at him, fueled by the slow-burning fire Lora had ignited.
As if summoned by his thoughts, a soft knock sounded at his door. Before he could respond, it opened, and Lora slipped inside.
She was wrapped in a sheer satin robe, the thin fabric clinging to her curves, leaving little to the imagination. Her hair fell in loose waves, and her lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Couldn't sleep," she murmured, stepping closer. Her bare feet padded silently across the carpet as she approached him.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "You shouldn't be here, Lora."
"Why not?" she asked, her voice low, teasing. She stopped just in front of him, her robe parting slightly to reveal the creamy skin beneath. "We're both adults. Besides…" She trailed her fingers along his shoulder, her touch light but deliberate. "You look like you could use some company."
Adrian caught her wrist, his grip firm but not harsh. "Lora, don't."
Her smile didn't waver. If anything, it grew bolder. "Come on, Adrian. You're a man. I see the way you look at me when you think no one's watching. You've got needs, and I can help you with them."
His breath hitched, and for a moment, he couldn't deny the truth in her words. He was a man, and she was stunning. Her scent, her warmth, the way her robe slid off one shoulder—it was enough to make his pulse quicken.
But then he thought of Joi. Her trembling hands, the way she clung to him in fear, the trust in her eyes.
He released Lora's wrist and stood abruptly, putting space between them. "This isn't happening."
Lora's expression flickered with annoyance, but she quickly masked it with feigned innocence. "Why not? Joi doesn't have to know." She stepped closer again, this time pressing her body against his.
Adrian's resolve wavered, his hands hovering near her waist before he forced them back to his sides. His breathing grew heavier, and he closed his eyes, trying to shut out the temptation.
"Lora…" His voice was a low growl, torn between warning and surrender.
She tilted her head, her lips brushing against his neck. "No one has to know, Adrian."
Just as he felt himself slipping, the door to his room burst open.
"Adrian—" Joi's voice broke through the charged air, and she froze, her eyes wide with shock.
Lora stepped back, her robe slipping further down her shoulders, and Adrian turned to face Joi, guilt and frustration warring on his face.
Joi's gaze darted between them, her face pale, her breathing shallow. Her hands clutched the locket around her neck as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded.
"I… I didn't mean to…" Joi stammered, backing toward the door.
"Joi, wait," Adrian said, stepping toward her.
But she shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. Without another word, she turned and fled down the hallway, leaving Adrian standing there, torn between anger at himself and the ache of having hurt the one person he had sworn to protect.
Lora crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Well, that was dramatic."
Adrian shot her a cold glare. "Get out."
Her smirk faltered at the icy tone of his voice, and she hesitated before leaving the room, her bare feet silent against the floor.
As the door closed behind her, Adrian sank back onto the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. His desires had nearly cost him everything, and the look on Joi's face would haunt him for the rest of the night.
Adrian stood outside Joi's door, his fist hovering inches from the wood. He could hear her muffled sobs through the thin barrier, each sound twisting like a knife in his chest. With a deep breath, he knocked softly.
"Joi, let me in," he said, his voice low, almost pleading.
The sobbing stopped, replaced by an icy silence.
"Go away," she finally said, her tone devoid of warmth.
Adrian winced but refused to leave. "You misunderstood what you saw. Let me explain—"
"I don't want to hear it!" Joi's voice cracked with emotion. "You… you're dirty! Don't come near me!"
Her words stung, more than Adrian cared to admit. He opened the door anyway, stepping inside despite her protests. Joi was sitting on the edge of her bed, her face red and blotchy, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.
"Get out," she hissed, her eyes blazing with anger.
"Joi, please." He took a tentative step closer. "It's not what you think. Lora—"
"Don't say her name!" she interrupted, her voice trembling. "Do you think I'm stupid, Adrian? Do you think I can't see what's going on? She wants you, and you… you didn't stop her!"
Adrian's jaw clenched. "I did stop her. I would never—"
"Never what?" she snapped, cutting him off. "Never betray me? Never lie to me? Because I remember… I remember seeing you kiss someone else." Her voice faltered, but her gaze remained firm. "You kissed her like she was your lover. Was she?"
Adrian froze, his heart pounding. "What are you talking about?"
"I don't know who she was," Joi admitted, her hands trembling. "But I saw it. I saw you with her. And now you're telling me to trust you? How can I?"
The room fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the sound of Joi's ragged breathing. Adrian felt a lump form in his throat. "That's not what happened. Joi, I need you to believe me."
Joi shook her head, her expression hardening. "No, Adrian. You told me we were in love. That we were going to get married. That you—" Her voice broke, and she wiped at her eyes furiously. "You took everything from me. My first time, my trust… and now this?"
Adrian stepped closer, his hands reaching out. "Joi, I swear, I love—"
"Don't touch me!" she screamed, backing away. Her voice dropped, cold and sharp. "You're a liar. You're no different from him."
The comparison to Marcus hit Adrian like a physical blow, and his hands fell to his sides. He stared at her, his expression a mix of pain and disbelief.
"I can't do this anymore," Joi whispered. "Just… leave me alone."
Adrian hesitated, his body rigid, before finally nodding. Without another word, he turned and walked out, the door clicking softly behind him.
As soon as he was gone, Joi sank onto the bed, her body wracked with sobs. Her mind raced with doubts, and for the first time, she thought of Emily. 'Emily wouldn't lie to me,' she thought. 'I'll ask her. She'll tell me the truth.'
In the hallway, Adrian leaned against the wall, his head in his hands. His mind churned with frustration and self-loathing. He had manipulated Joi for his own reasons, but now, for the first time, he realized what it would cost him.
And somewhere in the distance, the shadow of Marcus loomed closer.