The college hall buzzed with laughter and whispers, students giggling in small groups, exchanging the latest gossip. But as Adrian stepped inside, the lively chatter died down. A hush spread across the hall.
It had been days since anyone had seen him. His usual composed presence was replaced with sothing heavier. He looked exhausted—his sharp features slightly sunken, his eyes clouded with sothing unreadable. So students whispered among themselves, wondering if sothing had happened between him and Elaine. Had they broken up?
Elaine, who had been speaking with Mary, turned at the sudden silence. Her breath hitched at the sight of him. Without a second thought, she moved through the crowd and wrapped her arms around him.
"I missed you," she murmured against his shoulder.
Adrian didn't move. His arms stayed stiff at his sides. He didn't return the hug.
Elaine slowly pulled back, frowning up at him. "Adrian?" she asked, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What's wrong?"
He exhaled, his jaw tightening as if he were keeping sothing restrained. Then, without a word, he turned and walked toward an empty classroom. Elaine hesitated for a mont before following.
As soon as she stepped inside, Adrian shut the door behind her, locking it with a quiet click. The air between them felt thick, heavy.
He crossed his arms, his sharp gaze eting hers. "Tell , Elaine," he said, his voice unnervingly calm.
Elaine's brows knitted together. "Tell you what?"
Adrian let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head slightly. "About Alex," he said, watching her reaction closely. "I called you the other night, and he answered your phone." His tone was controlled, but there was sothing simring beneath the surface.
Elaine's heart pounded. So that was why he was acting like this.
Adrian took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "So, tell , what was he doing in your room that late?"
Elaine felt her stomach twist with guilt as she looked at Adrian's unreadable face. She wanted to tell him, she really did. But every ti she had the chance, sothing always got in the way.
"I was going to tell you, Adrian," she said quietly, her fingers gripping the edge of her sweater. "I just... there was never the right mont. You were dealing with your mother's illness, and I didn't want to add more to your plate."
Adrian stood still, his face calm, but his eyes—those eyes that always held warmth—looked distant. "Since when?"
Elaine blinked. "What?"
His jaw tightened slightly. "Since when have you and Alex been together?"
She hesitated, biting her lower lip. A part of her wanted to soften the truth, to make it hurt less, but Adrian deserved honesty. "It's been a few weeks," she admitted.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Adrian let out a slow breath, nodding as if trying to process it. Then, he t her gaze. "Are you happy?"
Elaine swallowed. The way he asked, so gentle yet resigned, made her chest tighten. She gave a small, hesitant nod.
A faint smile tugged at Adrian's lips—one that didn't quite reach his eyes. Then, after a mont, he softly asked, "Can I hug you? Just once. One last ti."
Her heart clenched. "Why... why the last ti?"
"Because after this, I have to let go." His voice was steady, but there was sothing fragile beneath it. "You have soone now. He might not like it."
Elaine felt her throat close up, but she nodded. She stepped forward, and Adrian wrapped his arms around her—not tightly, not desperately, just enough.
Enough to say goodbye.
She felt him inhale deeply, as if morizing the way she felt in his arms. Then, just as gently, he pulled back and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead.
"I'm happy for you, Elaine," he murmured.
Her chest ached.
Adrian saw the guilt on her face, and he gave her a small, reassuring smile, though it wavered at the edges. "Don't feel bad. My happiness was never about being with you... it was just about seeing you happy."
His voice wavered just slightly as he added, "And about... loving you? Don't worry. It will fade... eventually."
Elaine wanted to say sothing, anything, but the words wouldn't co.
Then, without another word, Adrian turned and walked away.
She watched him go, her vision blurring, but he never once looked back.
What she didn't see was the single tear that slipped down his cheek as he left.
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