The paparazzi were relentless. Every step Anna took felt like walking on a tightrope over a pit of fire. Flashing cameras, whispers, and questions she couldn't answer followed her from the hotel lobby to the waiting car. She felt exposed, trapped in a world that refused to let her exist quietly.
"Stay calm, Miss Hale," Liam murmured beside her, his hand brushing her elbow as he guided her through the swarm. The subtle touch was grounding, a silent reassurance that she wasn't alone.
Anna nodded, but her heart still raced. Scarlet's latest stunt had gone viral overnight: a staged video of her laughing with Adrian on set, looking intimate, edited just enough to make their closeness undeniable. Fans were going wild. Some sent supportive messages to Anna, but most questioned her place in Adrian's life.
They reached the car, and Anna sank into the leather seat, closing her eyes. "Why is she doing this?" she whispered. "Why can't she leave us alone?"
Liam's jaw tightened. "Because she wants control. She wants the story to be about her and him. She thinks fear and chaos give her power."
Anna glanced at him, surprised by the sharp edge in his voice. There was a quiet intensity about him, a protective strength she hadn't noticed before. Something in her chest fluttered—a mix of relief and…something else.
Before she could dwell on it, Adrian slid into the back seat beside her. His hand found hers, squeezing gently. "Ignore it," he said, voice low but firm. "Scarlet doesn't matter. She can't touch what we have."
Anna pressed her forehead to his shoulder, letting the warmth of him chase away the cold bite of the public's gaze. "I want to believe that," she whispered. "But it's hard."
Adrian tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Then let me remind you."
Later, when they returned to their private suite, the tension erupted—not in anger, but in a different, more intimate way. Adrian's hands traced the familiar curves of her body, seeking, claiming, and reassuring. Anna melted into him, letting the heat and urgency consume her, each kiss and touch a defiance of the world outside.
Every whispered word, every gasp, every sigh spoke louder than any headline. Here, behind closed doors, she was his, and he was hers—unquestionably, irrevocably.
Hours passed like minutes. When they finally pulled back, breathless and flushed, Adrian pressed a lingering kiss to her temple. "We'll face her. Together. But not now. Tonight…tonight is ours."
Anna nodded, heart racing, but a new worry gnawed at her. Scarlet wasn't done. She could feel it.
The next morning, a message flashed on Anna's phone—Scarlet again.
"Enjoying the private moments, Anna? Be careful. The cameras are closer than you think."
Anna's stomach turned. The line wasn't just a threat—it was a promise.
Before she could respond, Liam entered, looking more alert than ever. "I suggest we don't. She's testing you. I'll make sure no one follows, no one photographs. You're safe here."
Anna met his gaze, surprised by the fierce protectiveness radiating from him. He wasn't just a guard. He was…a constant she could rely on. Her chest tightened with a confusing mix of gratitude, admiration, and something she couldn't quite name.
Adrian caught the silent exchange, his brow furrowed. "Anna, focus on me," he said, drawing her into his arms. "Scarlet's noise won't touch us if we hold on to what's real."
She leaned into him, letting his warmth calm the storm. But the tension simmered. Scarlet's game was escalating, and every move she made seemed calculated to shake Anna's confidence, to make her doubt the love she shared with Adrian.
Hours later, Anna found herself standing by the window, watching the city glitter below. Liam's presence was silent but unwavering behind her. "She's clever," he said quietly. "But clever doesn't mean unstoppable."
Anna turned, studying him. There was a subtle intensity in his expression that made her pulse quicken. "And you?" she asked softly. "Do you think she's unstoppable?"
He stepped closer, his voice low and earnest. "Not if I'm around."
A shiver ran through her, and she realized with a jolt that she wasn't just grateful for his protection—she was drawn to it, to him.
Adrian came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck. "You're safe," he whispered. "With me."
Anna's chest tightened, torn between two men—the one she had vowed her life to, the one silently protecting her, whose loyalty and presence stirred something unexpected.
And outside, Scarlet smiled. She knew the effect she was having. She knew the pressure she was applying. And she was enjoying every second of it.
The game was far from over.