Chapter Thirty-Six
Adrian's POV
The city hit us like a wave—chaotic, loud, unrelenting. From the driver's seat, I watched Elena's fingers twitch against the console, her gaze tracing the endless flow of horns, pedestrians, flashing lights. After weeks by the sea, with only waves and wind around us, this world of concrete and glass felt… abrasive.
I rested my hand over hers. Her skin was warm, and as my thumb brushed her knuckles in a steady rhythm, I felt her tension ease slightly. My cologne mixed with the leather seats, sharp and familiar—our small anchor in the madness.
"You'll be okay," I murmured, eyes on the road. My voice was calm, but concern lingered underneath. "The city's overwhelming at first."
She nodded, jaw tight. "It's just… loud. Too public."
"You miss the quiet already, don't you?" I asked, glancing at her profile.
A faint smile ghosted across her lips. "I do. The sound of waves was kinder than this."
