The morning sunlight should have felt warm, comforting, but to Anna it was oppressive. Every notification on her phone felt like a hammer striking her chest. Fans, tabloids, social media—everywhere she looked, Adrian's name appeared alongside Scarlet Vane's.
"Adrian Cross & Scarlet Vane Spotted Kissing on Set?"
"Anna Hale Out of the Picture? Fans React!"
"Hollywood's Golden Couple or PR Nightmare?"
Anna's hands shook as she scrolled. Every post was another dagger. Every fan theory another subtle accusation: that Adrian had moved on, that she didn't matter, that their secret love was nothing.
The door to her apartment clicked, and she barely registered it before a deep voice spoke behind her.
"Miss Hale?"
Anna turned sharply. A tall, broad-shouldered man in a tailored suit stood in the doorway. His dark eyes were serious, scanning the room like he had already assessed the chaos of her morning.
"Who…?" Anna started, but he stepped closer with a calm authority.
"I'm Liam," he said simply, his voice firm but reassuring. "I handle security for the studio when things get…intense. I was told you might need support today."
Anna blinked. The offer should have felt intrusive, but somehow his presence made her tense shoulders relax. "I…appreciate it," she murmured, though the knot in her chest didn't ease.
Liam's gaze flicked toward her phone, buzzing with endless notifications. "Let's get you somewhere safe. You don't need to see everything at once."
Before Anna could protest, he gently guided her toward the living room couch. It was a strange sensation—this stranger's quiet protection—but oddly comforting.
Moments later, Adrian arrived. His expression was a mixture of frustration and guilt, eyes flicking between Anna and Liam.
"Anna," he started, but she raised a hand, cutting him off.
"I don't want excuses," she said, voice tight. "I don't want promises. I just…" She trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I want my husband."
Adrian's jaw flexed. He stepped closer, cupping her face with both hands. "I am here. I've never left you."
Anna swallowed hard, the tension in her chest threatening to break. She leaned into his touch, feeling the familiar warmth of his skin, the steady beat of his heart against hers. It reminded her that beneath the scandal, beneath the rumors, their love was real.
Adrian's lips brushed hers gently, and the world outside their walls seemed to vanish. Then, with a desperate urgency, he deepened the kiss, sliding his hands down to her waist. Anna gasped, her body responding as fear, anger, and longing collided.
They sank onto the sofa, bodies pressed together. The air between them was electric, charged with emotion and need. Adrian's hands moved with reverent urgency, exploring, claiming, reaffirming. Anna arched into him, every touch a reminder that no public whisper or staged photo could undo what was theirs.
Clothing became a barrier to cast aside; fingers traced curves, lips worshiped skin. Moans and whispered names filled the apartment as their private storm of passion collided with the chaos outside. Anna's doubts, her fear of betrayal, melted into desire, their connection both an escape and a declaration.
Hours—or perhaps minutes—later, they collapsed together, breathless and tangled. Adrian pressed a lingering kiss to her temple. "You're mine," he murmured, voice low and possessive.
Anna nestled against him, the weight of exhaustion and relief settling into her bones. Hours later after an intense love making sitted nestled in each others embrace with their hands intertwined, her phone buzzed insistently on the coffee table. She hesitated, then picked it up.
A message. From Scarlet.
"I hope you're enjoying the show, Anna. Don't get too comfortable with him—he has a way of surprising people."
Anna's stomach churned. The thrill of intimacy faded, replaced by a fresh spike of dread. Scarlet wasn't just a co-star or a studio pawn—she was a predator circling, probing for weaknesses.
Liam, who had been quietly watching from the corner, stepped forward. "If she tries anything—harassment, paparazzi, or worse—I'll make sure it doesn't reach you," he said, tone calm but unmistakably protective.
Anna looked at him, startled by the intensity of his presence. He wasn't just a guard—he seemed to radiate a quiet determination that made her feel safe. And yet…something stirred inside her, a flicker of curiosity and admiration she hadn't expected.
Adrian noticed the exchange, his brows furrowed. "Anna, don't worry about Scarlet or the headlines. We face it together. Always."
Anna nodded, leaning back against him. "I know. I just…hate feeling powerless."
Adrian kissed the top of her head. "Then fight with me. But first, let's take back what's ours—together."
The three of them—Anna, Adrian, and Liam—stood in a delicate balance. Love, protection, and tension swirled together, a triangle that promised both danger and support. Outside, the world's whispers continued, but inside, they were a united front, for now.
And somewhere in the shadows, Scarlet smiled. The game was far from over.