Life returned to its usual rhythm in the months that followed.
It took me a while to fully accept the past. Even though it was bound to leave a scar on my soul, it was never my fault.
It took me years to let go of the terrified Elina — the one who was never sure whether she should blame herself or show compassion to her younger self.
Everything changed because the people around me understood. They stood by my side and helped me fight the inner battle I had been struggling with for all these years.
At first, I didn't like the way Adam dealt with it. But later, I realised that maybe it was the only way I could have faced it completely.
But with every passing day around him, my curiosity only deepened.
He was different.
Unlike anyone I had met before.
His ways, his thoughts, even his silences felt deliberate. Out of the ordinary.
I began noticing things about him without trying to. His habits. His patterns. His body language.
He was obsessive about personal space... untouched and precise.
His pens were always aligned, and he noticed immediately if someone moved even one.
He used people's full names, or their titles, right before he snapped.
And he always took his watch off before difficult conversations... especially the ones that required persuasion.
Our conversations were always ordinary, but his tone was softer than before.
Careful. Almost caring.
And it drew me toward him more than it should have.
One evening, I was packing up my things to leave when my eyes landed on Noah. He was standing there, leaning against the counter, watching me without any hurry.
"Hey… Noah," I called softly.
His expression eased into a smile as he walked over, pulling out the chair and sitting beside me.
"Hey," he replied quietly.
Something in his tone felt different from his usual easygoing self. I noticed it immediately. He was upset.
"Did something happen?" I asked, raising a brow.
"No. Everything's fine," he said, rolling his eyes, clearly trying to look unaffected.
When he realised I wasn't convinced, my expression giving him away, he sighed softly.
"I'm just tired, you know… work and stuff."
Then he looked at me. "How are you doing?"
In that moment, I realised how long it had been since Noah and I had spoken like this… outside of work.
"I'm adapting. Learning too," I started. "And yeah, I'm doing well," I finished with a small nod.
"Glad," he murmured.
His gaze drifted to the floor as his shoe traced small, absent patterns, a habit I knew too well.
He only did that when something was bothering him.
I reached out and poked his cheek, trying to coax him into venting like he usually did.
Adam cleared his throat, interrupting us.
"Am I interrupting something?" he asked, his gaze shifting between Noah and me as he held out the file.
I took the document, opening my mouth to respond, but Noah cut in first.
"Yes," he said flatly. "You are."
My eyes snapped back to Noah. I had never seen him speak to anyone like that.
He didn't look at me. His jaw was clenched as he held Adam's gaze, unflinching.
"Go through the file," Adam said, his voice firm, still not breaking eye contact with Noah.
Then he looked away, deliberately casual, as if the moment hadn't mattered enough to linger on.
Noah's gaze shifted to me. There was something unsettled in his eyes… distressed.
He reached for my hand, gentle and familiar, then took my bag and slung it over his shoulder without a word.
Adam's eyes flicked to our joined hands. He scoffed softly.
Stepping aside, he gestured toward the door, a slow smirk playing on his lips as he cleared the way.
Noah pulled me along with him. I glanced back at Adam one last time before we left.
He didn't let go until we were outside.
"What was that?" I asked, agitation slipping into my voice.
"Nothing," Noah said, running a hand through his hair. He exhaled slowly before turning back to me.
"Elina…"
I nodded, waiting.
Whatever was bothering him was written all over his face.
"Who do you trust more?" he asked, his gaze holding mine.
"Me… or Adam?"
I was caught off guard, a small huff escaping me. "Huh?"
"Never mind." He shook his head, holding my bag out to me.
"Go home."
He said it and walked away without looking back. Without any explanation.
I stood there, conflicted, not used to this side of Noah.
I went home overthinking everything.
I knew there were things I couldn't talk about with Noah.
The distance between our friendship was growing, and the fact that it was because of me made the guilt settle heavier.
I unlocked my phone, debating whether I should text him in the middle of the night.
I did it anyway.
Are you up?
Noah read it instantly and replied .
Why aren't you asleep yet?
My fingers hovered over the screen as I thought about what to say next. I typed a reply… then deleted it.
Before I could decide, another message from Noah came through.
Let's meet tomorrow. I'll show you my new apartment.
Okay. Good night.
I replied, setting my phone back on the side table.
I took a deep breath, feeling a little lighter after hearing from him.
The next day, we met.
He came to pick me up, and I got ready soon after breakfast.
He drove me to his new apartment on the seventh floor, overlooking the lake.
The apartment felt like Noah the moment I stepped inside. Warm, lived-in, and thoughtful.
Soft neutral walls, wooden furniture, shelves half-filled with books and unfinished canvases.
The windows opened to the lake, letting sunlight spill in, making the space feel calmer and cozier.
"Congrats. I like it," I said, looking at him with an amused smile.
I narrowed my eyes slightly for a second, teasing him.
"So… this is where the artist is going to disappear to?"
He chuckled and said softly,
"You can visit anytime you want."
He walked into the kitchen, and I followed him.
"Coffee?" he asked gently. His playful side was nowhere to be seen.
I nodded, watching him move to the coffee machine and prepare drinks for both of us.
The silence grew uncomfortable. His change in behaviour started to bother me.
Was something wrong?
Had I done something?
Or was there something he was hiding from me?
I decided not to circle it anymore.
"Noah," I said, stepping closer. "What's wrong?"
He paused, glanced at me briefly, then turned back.
"Nothing's wrong."
"Don't dare lie to me again," I warned, my voice firmer than I expected.
"Just tell me," I insisted.
He took a breath, handed me the coffee mug, and walked toward the balcony.
I followed, already resolved to get answers.
"Sorry," he murmured. "I shouldn't have left you like that the other day."
"Come on, it's not about the ride, Noah."
I softened my tone, standing beside him as he leaned against the railing.
I studied him closely, gauging his reaction, trying to read the shift in his expression as his face turned thoughtful and his gaze dropped.
After a moment of comfortable silence, he spoke softly.
"Elina…"
He straightened, meeting my eyes with that familiar softness.
"Thanks for trusting me."
My shoulders tensed. For a second, I thought this was about the question he had asked the other day. I opened my mouth to respond, but he cut me off gently.
"Let me speak first."
"All these years," he said quietly, "when you were suffering in silence… hating a man… you still chose to trust me."
I realised then what he meant. Victor.
I turned my face away, the discomfort settling in, and he noticed without me saying a word.
"I know you're not comfortable talking about it," he continued gently. "And I promise I'll never bring it up again."
He stepped closer, taking my hand and holding it between his.
"But Elina…"
His voice softened, almost desperate.
"I promise I'll never fail you."
I searched his eyes, realising he was just as hurt as I was.
My own eyes welled up, and I blinked it away, shifting my focus.
Something wavered in his eyes too, and he let go of my hand.
Without saying anything, he changed the topic, moving toward the railing and pretending to admire the view outside.
"God, this is amazing," he said, his tone slipping back into his usual playful self. "I deserve this view."
I felt lighter and grateful for having someone like him in my life.
I smiled and moved closer, standing beside him as we admired the view together.
He drove me home later that evening.
The moment we stepped inside, my mother held out an invitation that had just arrived.
Noah's cousin was getting married.
And all of us were invited.
Soon after, the preparations began.
It was a destination wedding, after all.
Work, trip planning, shopping...everything turned hectic, but I was too excited to care.
Before I knew it, the day arrived.
We reached the airport, Noah busy helping with the luggage. My eyes wandered instinctively, scanning the crowd, just briefly.
"Looking for me?"
Adam's voice brushed my ear from behind. I startled, jumping slightly.
"You scared me," I said with a soft chuckle, pressing a hand to my chest.
"Did I?" he shot back, faint amusement lacing his voice. "Or is that just your way of saying you missed me?"
"You're impossible," I muttered, looking away as warmth crept up my face.
We moved toward the boarding gate.
Noah walked ahead with my parents, already deep in conversation about something I wasn't listening to.
Adam handed me my boarding pass, then took the window seat, pulling out his phone.
Throughout the flight, my gaze drifted to him more than once.
He didn't notice… busy doing his best to stay distant, as if getting along with anyone was the last thing on his mind.