Season 2 — Chapter 8: The One Place She Felt Safe
The study remained silent after the call ended.
Lina's hands still trembled.
The hospital report.
The pictures.
The memories.
Everything felt suffocating.
Adrian stood beside her, his jaw tight with anger.
His eyes looked terrifyingly cold.
She had never seen him this furious before.
"Adrian…"
Her voice was soft.
But he didn't respond immediately.
Because at that moment—
He genuinely wanted to destroy Marcus Blake.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Adrian grabbed his phone.
"Luca—"
Lina immediately stopped him.
"No."
He looked at her sharply.
"He crossed the line."
"I know."
His voice turned colder.
"Then let me handle it."
She shook her head.
"If you lose control now, Marcus wins."
Silence.
Adrian clenched his fists harder.
She stepped closer.
"Please."
His breathing slowly steadied.
Only slightly.
Finally—
He lowered the phone.
Lina quietly exhaled.
But her chest still hurt.
Because Marcus now held the one thing she feared most—
Her pain.
—
That evening…
The mansion felt unusually quiet again.
Security around the house doubled.
Lucas personally checked every entrance.
Nobody was taking risks anymore.
Lina stood near the balcony outside her room.
The night wind brushed softly against her face.
But it didn't calm her mind.
She kept thinking about the baby.
The loss.
The blood.
Without realizing—
Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.
A soft voice came from behind her.
"Lina."
She quickly wiped her tears.
But Adrian had already seen them.
He walked closer slowly.
"You're crying again."
She tried to smile faintly.
"I'm okay."
He stared at her quietly.
Then softly said—
"You don't have to pretend in front of me."
Her chest tightened.
Because he was right.
She was pretending.
Pretending she was strong.
Pretending she was fine.
But she wasn't.
Not anymore.
Her voice finally broke.
"I hate this…"
Adrian's eyes softened instantly.
"I know."
Tears filled her eyes again.
"I hate remembering everything."
She covered her face slightly.
"It hurts too much…"
Adrian gently pulled her hands away.
Then held them carefully.
"You don't have to carry it alone."
Her eyes trembled.
"But every time I remember the baby…"
Her voice cracked.
"I feel like I'm breaking again."
Adrian's own chest tightened painfully.
Because he felt it too.
Every single day.
He slowly pulled her into his arms.
This time—
She didn't resist at all.
She buried her face against his chest.
And cried.
Not quietly.
Not calmly.
But completely.
Her body shook in his arms.
Adrian held her tightly.
One hand gently stroking her hair.
"I'm sorry…"
He whispered softly.
Again.
And again.
Lina gripped his shirt tightly.
"It wasn't your fault…"
But her voice lacked certainty.
Because deep inside—
A part of her still blamed him.
And herself.
And fate.
Everything.
After a long moment—
Her crying slowly stopped.
Adrian gently lifted her chin.
Their eyes met.
Red eyes.
Broken hearts.
And too much pain between them.
Then—
Without thinking—
Lina leaned forward slightly.
And rested her forehead against his chest again.
"I'm tired…"
She whispered.
Adrian closed his eyes briefly.
"I know."
Her voice turned quieter.
"Can you stay tonight?"
His heart stopped for a second.
"Lina…"
She looked up at him.
For the first time since waking up—
The cold distance in her eyes had faded.
Just a little.
"I don't want to be alone."
Adrian's expression softened completely.
"I'm here."
And this time—
He meant more than just tonight.
—
Meanwhile…
Across the city—
Marcus sat in his office.
Watching the rain outside.
His assistant entered quietly.
"Boss."
Marcus didn't look away from the window.
"What?"
"The board meeting is tomorrow."
Marcus smiled faintly.
"And Adrian?"
"He still refuses."
Marcus chuckled softly.
"He will change his mind."
The assistant hesitated.
"And if he doesn't?"
Marcus finally turned.
His eyes dark.
Cold.
Then he answered quietly—
"Then I'll take away the one thing he can't live without."
—
Back at the mansion…
Late at night…
Lina had fallen asleep beside Adrian.
Not in the guest room.
Not in the master bedroom.
But on the couch in the small upstairs lounge.
Her head rested against his shoulder.
One of her hands still lightly held his sleeve.
As if afraid he might disappear.
Adrian looked down at her quietly.
His expression softer than ever.
Carefully—
He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
Then whispered—
"I'll protect you this time."
But somewhere deep inside—
He knew.
The real storm…
Hadn't started yet.