Adrian wasn't used to losing.
Not arguments. Not games. Definitely not people.
But lately, it felt like Liora was tearing apart everything he thought he could control — piece by piece, without even trying.
He'd told himself humiliating Ethan would be enough. That watching her flinch, watching her glare at him with those furious eyes, would make the irritation fade. But it hadn't. It just got worse.
Now, every time he saw her, he felt that same burn — in his chest, in his jaw, behind the calm mask he wore like armor.
He'd caught them together tonight. Ethan and Liora. In his library, whispering, laughing, like they didn't care who saw. She looked different — sharper, stronger, like she'd finally decided to stop being scared.
And somehow, that made him furious.
He slammed the door to his room, the echo rattling through the quiet halls. He ran a hand through his hair and stared at his reflection in the mirror. The guy staring back looked calm, collected — but his eyes said otherwise.
"What the hell is wrong with you," he muttered.
He should've been happy. His plan had worked — people believed the rumors. Ethan's perfect reputation was cracking. But instead of satisfaction, all he felt was… noise.
Noise, every time Liora's name came up. Every time she stood next to someone else.
He'd never cared who she talked to. Not really. So why now?
His phone buzzed. A message from one of his friends:"Yo, Adrian. Thought you'd wanna know — that new girl's asking around about the posts."
His fingers tightened around the phone.So. She was digging.
Of course she was. That stubbornness in her eyes wasn't new — he'd seen it since day one. The way she stood in front of him like she didn't know he could crush her with a word.
And maybe that's why he couldn't stop thinking about her.
He sat down on the edge of his bed, staring at the message until the words blurred. Then, slowly, a smirk curved on his lips.
If she wanted to fight, fine. Let her. But she'd learn that not everything in his world could be solved with courage or kindness.
He'd make her regret thinking she could challenge him.
And yet… somewhere under that thought, another voice whispered — one that unsettled him more than her defiance ever had.
Why did it matter so much? Why did he care if she talked to Ethan, or smiled at him, or fought back?
Because she shouldn't, he told himself. Because she was supposed to hate him. To fear him. That's how he'd kept control all these years — by making people step back, not forward.
But Liora didn't step back. Not even when he pushed.
He exhaled sharply, shutting his eyes. For a second, he could still see her standing there — the stubborn set of her jaw, the flash in her eyes when she said, "I'm done letting you win."
And the worst part?He believed her.
Adrian opened his eyes again, his reflection now half-shadowed in the dim light. His expression softened — just slightly — before hardening again.
If she wanted a war, she'd get one.But he was no longer sure who would survive it.