The building felt too quiet as Adrian and Mia stepped out of the elevator into the restricted security floor. The corridor lights were dimmer here, motion-triggered, flickering awake as they walked. Mia stayed close to Adrian, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of his sleeve. He didn't pull away. If anything, he slowed slightly so she wouldn't fall behind.
A senior guard approached them immediately. "Sir, we found something."
Adrian's expression hardened. "Show me."
The guard led them to a small surveillance room. The screens flickered with various camera feeds, but the guard pointed to the far-left monitor. When Adrian saw it, his jaw tensed.
Someone had left a message.
A piece of paper taped inside the stairwell camera's view.
Six words written in uneven, messy strokes.
"I can see you from here."
Mia felt her stomach twist.
Adrian leaned closer to the screen, studying the handwriting. He didn't need long to recognize it.
"It's him," Adrian said. "He was inside the building again."
Mia's hands tightened instantly. "How is he getting in? I thought the entrances were secured."
"They are," Adrian replied. "Which means someone is letting him in."
The guard cleared his throat. "Sir, we checked the logs. A staff ID was used to access the south gate at 3 a.m."
Adrian's eyes sharpened. "Whose ID?"
The guard hesitated. "It was wiped. Someone removed the digital trace. But we know it came from inside the company."
Mia felt cold. "Someone here is helping him?"
"Someone who wants leverage over me," Adrian said. "Someone who wants this situation to get worse."
Adrian turned to Mia when he noticed her pale face.
"Don't panic," he said quietly. "You're safe with me."
Mia nodded, though her heart was racing so fast she barely felt grounded.
The guard stepped back. "Sir, we'll increase patrol around your private floor."
Adrian shook his head. "No. Strengthen the lower floors instead. He's not going to climb up again. He'll try a different angle."
Mia whispered, "What angle?"
Adrian looked at her, his eyes shadowed. "He won't come for you directly anymore. He'll try to pull you out. Make you leave my side."
"How?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately. Then—
"By attacking your weakness," he said. "Not your fear. Your life outside this building."
Mia's heart dropped. "My mother…"
Adrian's expression tightened. "We're leaving. Now."
He escorted her quickly down the hallway, past the guards, into a private elevator.
"Adrian," Mia said breathlessly, "you think he'll go after her?"
"He knows you," Adrian replied. "He watches you. He knows who you care about."
Mia felt panic rise in her throat, but Adrian pressed his palm gently to her shoulder.
"I won't let anything happen to her."
"Then please—let's go to her," Mia said urgently.
"We will," Adrian said. "But we're not walking into danger blind."
The elevator doors opened into the lower parking area — a controlled space with private vehicles, security checkpoints, and scanners.
Adrian led her to his black car. The driver stood ready, alert.
"Drive to the Harper residence," Adrian ordered.
The driver nodded immediately.
Mia got inside the car, her hands trembling. Adrian slid in beside her and shut the door.
The engine hummed to life.
Mia stared out the window nervously, unable to stop her mind from spiraling.
"What if he's already there?" she whispered.
"He's not," Adrian said. "He doesn't act that fast when he wants me to see the message."
Mia swallowed. "Why does he do this?"
Adrian's voice was low, controlled. "Because he wants to break me where it hurts the most."
Mia turned to him. "And… is that me?"
Adrian didn't speak for a moment.
Then, softly, "Yes."
Silence fell inside the car.
Not because she didn't know what to say — but because her heart reacted faster than her thoughts.
The car continued moving through the city, the early morning light barely washing over the skyline. Mia couldn't focus on anything except the weight of Adrian's confession.
He cared about her.
Enough for his brother to weaponize her existence.
After a moment, Adrian shifted slightly, looking at her again.
"I'm going to assign protection for your mother," he said. "Discreet, but constant. And you are not going to be alone anywhere."
Mia nodded. "I understand."
He exhaled slowly. "Mia… I should have told you all this sooner."
"Why didn't you?"
He stared ahead, jaw tightening.
"Because keeping you close puts you in danger. But pushing you away doesn't make you any safer."
Her chest ached at the honesty in his voice.
The car slowed as they entered a quieter residential area.
Mia leaned forward anxiously.
"Adrian… that's my street."
He nodded. "We'll be there in a minute."
The driver turned a corner.
Adrian's gaze flicked to the sidewalk.
Mia followed his line of sight—
And her breath stopped.
A man was standing across the road.
Not moving.
Not approaching.
Just standing.
Watching her house.
He wore a plain black hoodie, hands in pockets, body still, face angled slightly away — just enough to hide it.
But Mia felt the chill instantly.
"Adrian…" she whispered. "Is that—?"
Adrian's hand closed over hers.
"Yes."
Her heart dropped.
The car didn't slow. Adrian signaled the driver to keep going.
"Don't stop," Adrian said calmly. "Circle the block. He doesn't know we saw him."
Mia stared at the man as the car passed, her breath shaking.
He didn't look at the car.
But she felt—felt—that he knew it was her inside.
"Adrian…" Her voice broke. "He's really here."
Adrian's grip tightened gently.
"He won't reach your mother," Adrian said. "Not while I'm here."
The car turned the corner and the man disappeared from view.
Mia pressed her hand against her mouth, tears welling.
Adrian leaned closer, his voice quiet but firm.
"I told you, Mia. He will not touch you. He will not touch her."
She nodded, shaking.
Adrian squeezed her hand once more.
"But now we know something else," he said. "He's not just watching."
Mia looked at him with wide, terrified eyes.
"What is he doing?"
Adrian answered without hesitation.
"He's preparing."