- 2 days ago
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00:02After being bullied for three years by the most popular rich girl at school, I did something despicable.
00:07I stole her name, her photos, her flawless, breathtaking face, and I used them to deceive a top alpha for
00:14three years.
00:15He was gentle, impeccably polite, and unbelievably generous.
00:19His only flaw? During his rut, he became unbearably clingy.
00:24Whenever it hit, his voice would turn low and rough, stripped of all restraint, begging me over and over not
00:30to hang up.
00:30Before long, I'd gotten enough money from him to pay my college tuition, and enough to keep buying suppresses so
00:36I could continue passing as a beta.
00:38The day I decided to end it, I asked as casually as I could,
00:42Baby, what would you do if I suddenly disappeared?
00:46He let out a quiet laugh. His voice was warm, dangerously so.
00:51Sweetheart, don't joke about that. I don't like it.
00:53I wasn't about to let some alpha intimidate me.
00:55I blocked him, delighted him, and disappeared.
00:58Later, by pure coincidence, Summer Hart and I both landed internships at the same tech company.
01:04On my very first day, the CEO from headquarters happened to be visiting.
01:08I stood at the very back of the crowd.
01:10The moment I looked up, I saw a face I knew all too well.
01:13Before my brain could even process it, his eyes landed on Summer, and they lit up.
01:18The man I'd been in an online relationship with for three years was standing right in front of me.
01:22The shock hit so hard, my mind went completely blank.
01:25By the time I came back to my sense, he had already turned around and walked straight towards us.
01:29My heart pounded against my ribs.
01:31I cautiously looked up.
01:32The man was devastatingly handsome.
01:34His expression unreadable.
01:36Every inch of him radiating the cold, untouchable area of someone no one dared approach.
01:41Adrian Sterling.
01:42He was even taller than I'd imagined.
01:44Even more handsome.
01:45More terrifying still.
01:47Even across the crowd, I could feel the pressure unique to a dominant alpha.
01:50Bright citrus.
01:52Layered over a hint of tobacco.
01:54My nape tingled.
01:56The suppresses I'd taken that morning suddenly felt dangerously inadequate.
02:00Our supervisor lowered his voice.
02:02Mr. Sterling is here from headquarters for an inspection.
02:05Don't be nervous.
02:06He won't even notice a group of interns.
02:08The words had barely left his mouth.
02:11One of his cuff clinks slipped loose without warning.
02:13Struck the polished floor with a crisp metallic click.
02:16Bounced twice, rolled past my feet, and came to a perfect stop beside Summer Hart's heels.
02:22The entire room seemed to fall silent.
02:25Adrian stopped in front of us.
02:27More precisely, he stopped in front of Summer.
02:29They stood face to face, only a step apart.
02:32He was a dominant alpha, raised in an East Coast old money dynasty.
02:36She was the golden-haired Omega sweetheart everyone had adored since childhood.
02:41Standing together, they looked like they belonged in the same world.
02:44Painfully so.
02:44His secretary immediately stepped forward to retrieve the fallen cuff link.
02:48Adrian raised a hand, stopping him with effortless ease.
02:52Summer blinked, as if she suddenly understood.
02:54She quickly bent down, picked it up, and held it out with a shy smile.
02:58Mr. Sterling, you dropped this.
03:01Adrian didn't take it right away.
03:03Instead, he lowered his gaze, and took two slow steps toward her.
03:07I was standing closest to Summer.
03:08As Adrian approached, the crisp scent of a dominant alpha rolled over us.
03:12I knew that scent better than anyone.
03:14Three years ago, the first time he lost during his rut, I'd spent hours talking him through
03:18it over the phone.
03:19Afterward, I'd casually asked what his pheromones smelled like.
03:22The very next day, a custom fragrance arrived at my apartment.
03:25Bright citrus.
03:26Warm tobacco.
03:28He'd texted me afterward.
03:29Now you'll always know what I smell like.
03:31I pressed my lips together, pretending not to look.
03:34Adrian's eyes never left Summer.
03:36Storms turned beneath those steel-gray eyes.
03:38Relief.
03:38Disbelief.
03:39Disbelief.
03:40The joy of finding someone he'd thought he'd lost forever.
03:42And beneath it all, the quiet hurt of someone who'd been abandoned without an explanation.
03:46At that exact moment, a sharp pain shat through the scent-glaim at the back of my neck.
03:51I nearly lost my balance.
03:53Summer kept holding out the cufflink.
03:54Adrian still didn't react.
03:56She softly reminded him.
03:58Mr. Sterling?
03:59Only then did he seem to come back to himself.
04:02He cleared his throat.
04:03Accepted the cufflink as if nothing had happened.
04:06After a brief pause, his fingertips lightly brushed across Summer's palm.
04:11Then he quietly said,
04:13Summer heart.
04:14Summer's cheeks turned scarlet.
04:16Yes.
04:17I'm Summer heart, Mr. Sterling.
04:19Adrian looked at her for several long seconds.
04:22Only then did he finally turn away, as though he couldn't quite bring himself to leave.
04:26The moment he was gone, I finally remembered how to breathe.
04:29My entire back was soaked with cold sweat.
04:32When I returned to my desk, my legs gave out beneath me.
04:35I practically collapsed into my chair.
04:37After sitting there in a daze for what felt like forever,
04:39I pulled out my phone and searched for one name, Adrian Sterling.
04:43Instantly, my screen filled with financial headlines.
04:46I stared at the screen and sucked in a sharp breath.
04:50The CEO from headquarters only visited the branch once every six months.
04:53And the moment he arrived, he set his sights on an intern.
04:57A young, beautiful Omega intern.
04:59The whole office instantly caught the scent of gossip.
05:03Everyone gathered around Summer heart.
05:05Summer tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and answered softly,
05:08I don't know Mr. Sterling.
05:09This is actually the first time I've ever met him.
05:10Oh wait, she suddenly looked like she'd remembered something.
05:13I think Mr. Sterling graduated from the same university as I do.
05:15I was pretty popular back then.
05:16Come to think of it, a lot of alphas pursued me in college.
05:19So maybe...
05:20She left the sentence hanging.
05:21The senior employees immediately picked it up.
05:23They had pieced together all kinds of secret crush stories.
05:26The atmosphere in the office instantly became lively.
05:28Oh, stop it.
05:28Summer hurriedly cut them off.
05:30Don't say things like that.
05:31She looked shy, but the snug smile in her eyes was impossible to hid.
05:35I couldn't hear another word they said.
05:37I just stared blankly at the search results on my phone.
05:40Back then, my mom worked at the Hart family's live-in housekeeper.
05:44Summer lost a bet, so she tricked my mom into stealing my secrets.
05:47The diary was filled it to the Boulevard Instagram board in the school hallway.
05:50She even took pictures and posted them on a private my rating and laughed.
05:54I hated her so much my teeth clenched.
05:56So I stole Summer's photos and her name and used them to scam people online.
06:00Whenever I got roasted for being terrible at a game, I'd immediately turn on my mic and say,
06:04My name is Summer Hart.
06:05Whenever some random person online threatened to come after me, I'd answer without hesitation.
06:10My name is Summer Hart.
06:11I viciously hoped that one day someone would actually track her down through that name.
06:15That Summer would finally know what it felt like to be humiliated in public.
06:19To have everyone point fingers at her.
06:21But before anyone ever came looking for Summer, I met Adrian.
06:25Adrian was well-mannered, sincere, polite, and unbelievably generous with money.
06:30His only flaw was his rut.
06:32Don't be fooled by the way he looked just now.
06:34I knew exactly what the top alpha was real like in my private.
06:36During the two years we dated online, almost every time he went into rut,
06:40he'd make me stay on voice call while he took care of himself.
06:43And the moment it happened would be used like to say the filthiest things things imaginable.
06:46That calm, face would burn bright red.
06:48Even the scent gland on the back of my neck would start heating up.
06:51Eventually, I'd snap.
06:53Have you no shame?
06:54He never got mad.
06:56He'd just laugh softly.
06:58Then patiently coax me until I stopped being embarrassed.
07:01Later, Adrian seemed to realize something was wrong.
07:04He became determined to meet me in person.
07:06Only then did I suddenly remember I'd been using Summerheart's identity the whole time.
07:10I frantically scrolled back through our chat history.
07:12When I saw the words,
07:14I'm Summerheart,
07:15my heart completely sank.
07:16All those late night confessions.
07:18All the tenderness we'd shared across the screen.
07:20All the moments that made me believe I was truly loved.
07:22My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand.
07:25I couldn't stop regretting saying I was Summerheart in the first place.
07:28I buried my face in my pillow and cried.
07:30When I finally looked up,
07:31my eyes were swollen in the mirror.
07:33That's when it hit me.
07:34I was just an ordinary person.
07:36I didn't have Summer's stunning face.
07:38I didn't have her wealthy family.
07:40I didn't have the confidence in those that came from being adored her whole life.
07:43I couldn't even openly admit I was an omega.
07:45All I could do was rely on cheap suppressors
07:47and pretend to be a beta who would never cause anyone trouble.
07:50If I hadn't used Summer's name in photos,
07:53someone like Adrian Sterling,
07:54a top alpha born with everything,
07:56would never have fallen for someone like me.
07:58In the end,
07:58I forced down the ache in my chest,
08:00sent Adrian one message.
08:02I'm sorry.
08:02Then I blocked and deleted him.
08:04On the third day after I disappeared,
08:06Adrian sent me an email.
08:07There was only one sentence.
08:08Summer, don't leave me.
08:09Every word was filled with pleading
08:10and the helplessness of someone abandoned without warning.
08:13Too bad.
08:14I wasn't Summer.
08:15The memory made me shiver.
08:18When I looked up,
08:19everyone in the office was staring at me.
08:21I forced a smile.
08:23What?
08:24What is it?
08:24No one answered.
08:26Only Summer walked over,
08:27looking as innocent as ever.
08:29Vivian,
08:30Weren't you listening?
08:31Everyone wants to try the new boba shop on the corner.
08:33Would you mind picking it up for us?
08:34It's only three or four blocks away.
08:36It won't take much effort.
08:38It wasn't unusual for senior employees to send interns on errands.
08:42The only reason Summer had blended in with them so naturally
08:44was because Adrian had treated her differently just now.
08:47I looked at Summer,
08:48then at the call works already standing on her side.
08:51Okay.
08:52In the end,
08:53I nodded.
08:54Summer looked pleased with my response.
08:58Oh,
08:59don't feel bad,
08:59everyone.
09:00Vivian's mom used to be our family's live-in housekeeper.
09:03She grew up helping her mom with these kinds of things.
09:05She's always been good at it.
09:06If any of you ever need help in the future,
09:08just ask Vivian.
09:09Every time Summer went somewhere new,
09:10she made sure everyone my mother had once worked for the Hart family.
09:14I'd gotten used to it.
09:17Honestly,
09:18I wanted an excuse to leave anyway.
09:21Ignoring her,
09:22I turned toward the door with my phone in hand
09:24and walked straight into someone.
09:26I looked up.
09:27It was the man who had been standing beside Adrian earlier.
09:31His executive assistant,
09:33Marcus Reed.
09:34Marcus seemed to be in a hurry.
09:35He impatiently shoved me aside.
09:37Caught off guard,
09:38I stumbled backward.
09:39My knee slammed hard into the corner of a desk.
09:42I sucked in a sharp breath from the pain.
09:44Marcus didn't look the least bit apologetic.
09:46He merely glanced at me,
09:48then hurried over to our supervisor.
09:50Excuse me,
09:51which one of you is Miss Summer Hart?
09:52Mr. Sterling needs to see her.
09:54The moment Summer heard her name
09:55and realized Adrian Sterling was looking for her,
09:58she immediately pushed her way through the crowd.
10:00Summer,
10:00I'm Summer Hart.
10:01Is something wrong?
10:02Marcus looked her up and down.
10:04His tone noticeably became more courteous.
10:05We're temporarily short in executive assistance upstairs.
10:08Mr. Sterling would like you to fill in for a while.
10:10Summer froze.
10:11Then her voice shot up with excitement,
10:13echoing through the entire office.
10:15Me?
10:15You mean,
10:16Mr. Sterling wants me to work by his side?
10:19Did he personally ask for me?
10:21Summer covered her mouth.
10:22She couldn't hide the excitement on her face.
10:24She happily picked up her handbag.
10:27Mr. Reed,
10:27I don't really have anything to pack.
10:29I'm ready to go.
10:30Great,
10:30follow me.
10:32Summer pressed her lips together with a smile,
10:34but deliberately walked around to my side.
10:36She looked at me with an innocent smile.
10:40Vivian,
10:40scoot over.
10:41Mr. Sterling wants me on the 34th floor.
10:43You're blocking my way.
10:45She paused,
10:46then smiled even sweeter.
10:48You should work hard too.
10:50Who knows?
10:50Maybe after another 10 years or so,
10:52we'll end up working together on the 34th floor.
10:55I didn't say a word.
10:56Enduring the throbbing pain in my knee,
10:58I silently stepped aside.
11:00Clicking away in her stillogs,
11:01Summer happily followed Marcus out.
11:03Everyone in the office watched her leave with envy.
11:06The moment the elevator doors closed,
11:08the office exploded with gossip.
11:09Oh my God,
11:11that new intern Summer,
11:12she's not going to become Mrs. Sterling someday,
11:14is she?
11:14Even if she doesn't become the future Mrs. Sterling,
11:16she'll probably end up as Mr. Sterling's Omega.
11:18He's obviously interested in her.
11:19He transferred on her very first day.
11:22Vivian,
11:23didn't you and Summer start here together?
11:25Do you know what's going on between her and Mr. Sterling?
11:27Hearing my name,
11:28I forced down the lump in my throat,
11:30then slowly shook my head.
11:31I don't know.
11:33After gossiping about Summer for a while,
11:35everyone lost interest.
11:37Before long,
11:38their attention shifted to me.
11:39Vivian,
11:40didn't you say you'd treat everyone to boba earlier?
11:42You're not backing out now,
11:43are you?
11:44Vivi,
11:44I have to pick up my daughter tonight.
11:46Can you finish this spreadsheet for me?
11:48Before long,
11:49the folders on my desk
11:50and shared document links
11:52had piled up into a mountain.
11:53By the time I finally finished
11:55all the random tasks,
11:56it was already after 8 o'clock.
11:58I stretched,
11:59then finally had a chance to check my phone.
12:01This internship wasn't easy to get.
12:03Try to get along with your co-work.
12:04Just put up with them.
12:05There's no point arguing.
12:06I stared at the screen.
12:07For a long time,
12:09I didn't know what to say.
12:10In the end,
12:11I simply let out a quiet sigh.
12:13I opened Instagram
12:14and started scrolling.
12:15Three hours earlier,
12:17Summer had posted a selfie.
12:18She stood in front of a huge
12:20floor-to-ceiling window,
12:21holding up a peace sign at the camera.
12:23The caption read,
12:25Feeling so lucky lately.
12:26Couldn't ask for a better boss.
12:28My finger paused.
12:29I still couldn't help
12:30zooming in on the photo.
12:32Reflected in the window,
12:33there was a silhouette
12:34standing on the other side
12:35of the office.
12:36He didn't seem to notice the camera.
12:38Even though it was only
12:39a blurry outline,
12:40I recognized him immensely.
12:42Adrian Sterling.
12:43I stared at the photo,
12:44unable to look away,
12:45until a voice suddenly
12:46came from above me.
12:48Why are you still here this late?
12:49I jumped and shot to my feet.
12:51Standing in front of me
12:52was a slightly chubby man.
12:54I froze.
12:55He looked familiar.
12:56After thinking for a moment,
12:57I finally remembered.
12:58Our supervisor
12:59had introduced him earlier.
13:00He was one of Adrian's assistants.
13:02Daniel Brooks.
13:03Um, I got held up with work.
13:05I was just about to leave.
13:06Daniel nodded,
13:07then suddenly clutched his stomach.
13:09His face twisted in pain.
13:10He turned to leave,
13:11but seemed to think of something.
13:13He looked back at me
13:14with a grimace.
13:15Hey, do you have
13:16a driver's license?
13:17I froze for a second,
13:19then nodded.
13:19I do, but I...
13:20Before I could finish,
13:21his eyes let up.
13:22He casually tossed
13:23a set of car keys
13:24into my hand.
13:25Perfect.
13:26My stomach's killing me.
13:27Mr. Sterling's car is downstairs.
13:29I'll text you
13:29the address in a minute.
13:30Could you drive his car
13:31back for me?
13:32Please, I'll buy you
13:33lunch another day.
13:34I stared at the car keys
13:35in my hand.
13:36My mind went blank.
13:37I frantically shook my head.
13:39No, I can't...
13:40Daniel was already gone.
13:42Clutching his stomach,
13:43he sprinted straight
13:44into the restroom.
13:45I lingered at my desk
13:46for a few more minutes.
13:48Daniel still hadn't
13:49come out of the restroom.
13:50In the end,
13:51I accepted my fate
13:52and headed downstairs
13:52with the keys.
13:54Parked in the underground garage
13:55was a Rolls Royale
13:56I'd only ever seen in movies.
13:57I took a deep breath,
13:59walked all the way
14:00around at first,
14:01just to make sure
14:02I wouldn't scratch
14:03my boss's luxury car
14:04the second I touched it.
14:06Only then
14:07did I carefully open
14:08the driver's door
14:09and climbed inside.
14:10I buckled my seatbelt,
14:11reached up to adjust
14:13the rearview mirror
14:14and froze.
14:15Reflected in the mirror
14:16was a man sitting
14:17in the back seat
14:18with his eyes closed.
14:19Sharp nose,
14:21perfectly sculpted features,
14:23thin lips pressed together.
14:24The cabin still carried
14:25the lingering scent
14:26of whiskey,
14:27mixed with the citrus
14:28and tobacco pheromones
14:29he could never
14:30completely suppress.
14:31My mind went
14:32completely blank.
14:33I slapped a hand
14:33over the rearview mirror
14:34on instinct.
14:35This had to be
14:36a hallucination.
14:37I tried to reassure myself,
14:38then cautiously peeked
14:39through my fingers.
14:40In the mirror,
14:41the man had opened his eyes.
14:43Those gray-blue eyes
14:44were fixed on me
14:45without blinking.
14:46For a split second,
14:47I could have sworn
14:47his entire body stiffened.
14:49The gland at the back
14:50of my neck
14:51suddenly burned,
14:52like his gaze alone
14:53had branded.
14:54My fingers tightened
14:55around the steering wheel.
14:57Mr. Sterling?
14:58Good evening.
14:59Daniel wasn't feeling well,
15:00so he asked me
15:00to drive you home.
15:01I didn't realize
15:02you were still in the car.
15:03He watched me in silence
15:04for a moment,
15:05then finally looked away.
15:06He closed his eyes again.
15:08A faint crease formed
15:09between his frowse.
15:11Of course he couldn't
15:11recognize me.
15:13Seeing him shut his eyes again,
15:14I secretly let out
15:15the breath I'd been holding.
15:17Then another problem hit me.
15:18Where the hell was
15:19the ignition on this thing?
15:20I searched everywhere.
15:21Nothing.
15:22Sweat broke across my forehead.
15:24Then a deep voice
15:25sounded behind me.
15:26You don't know
15:27how to start it?
15:28I sat up straight.
15:29Embarrassed,
15:30I nodded,
15:31then immediately shook my head.
15:32Whenever I got nervous,
15:34I picked at my fingers.
15:35I'd had that habit
15:36for over 20 years.
15:38Mr. Sterling,
15:39I...
15:39I looked up,
15:40only to find his gaze
15:41resting on my hands.
15:43A chill ran down my spine.
15:44Just as I was about
15:45to pull them back,
15:46he quietly looked away.
15:48His eyes drifted
15:48toward the window.
15:49His Adam's apple
15:50bobbed once.
15:51The car suddenly fell silent,
15:53so silent I could hear
15:54my own heartbeat
15:55spiraling out of control.
15:57I carefully pulled out
15:58my phone,
15:58planning to Google
15:59how to start a Rolls Royce.
16:01I had barely typed
16:02half the question
16:03when a shadow fell over me.
16:04The next second,
16:05the scent of cindris
16:06and tobacco enveloped me,
16:08along with the overwhelming
16:09pressure unique
16:10to a top alpha.
16:11Press here.
16:12His voice brushed
16:13against my ear.
16:15Warm breath slimmed
16:15across the gland
16:16at the back of my neck.
16:17My entire body froze.
16:19He was too close.
16:20Close enough for me
16:21to feel the warmth
16:22radiating through his shirt.
16:24He could definitely
16:25smell my pheromones.
16:26He had to know
16:27I wasn't a beta.
16:29Yet Adrian only paused
16:30for a couple of seconds.
16:31Then he calmly returned
16:32to the back seat
16:33as though nothing had happened.
16:34I forced myself
16:35to steady my breathing,
16:36started the engine
16:37with stiff mechanical movements.
16:39The drive passed
16:40in complete silence.
16:42When we finally reached
16:43the underground garage
16:44of Adrian's penthouse,
16:46I didn't hesitate
16:47for a second.
16:48I unbuckled my seatbelt,
16:49jumped out of the car
16:50and blusted,
16:51Mr. Sterling,
16:53I'll get going now.
16:54Good night.
16:55Before Adrian could answer,
16:57I took off running.
16:58I never noticed
16:58the man behind me
16:59slowly narrowed his eyes.
17:00He watched the direction
17:02I fled,
17:03remaining perfectly still,
17:04long after I disappeared
17:05from sight.
17:06I spent the entire night
17:08tangled in one bizarre dream
17:10after another.
17:11The next morning,
17:12I splashed some water
17:13on my face,
17:14dragged myself out of bed
17:15with two dark circles
17:16under my eyes,
17:17and somehow made it to work.
17:19The moment I walked
17:20into the office,
17:20I saw Summer.
17:22She was supposed to be
17:23on the 34th floor.
17:24Yep.
17:25Mr. Sterling told me
17:27to come back.
17:27Her voice was as soft
17:29and sweet as ever.
17:30Her makeup was flawless,
17:31her cheeks were slightly pink,
17:33and her bright blue eyes
17:34sparkled as though
17:35they were hiding
17:36a delicious little secret.
17:37Mr. Sterling said
17:39I shouldn't spend
17:39all my time
17:40on the 34th floor,
17:41right after joining
17:42the company.
17:43He was worried
17:44I'd get lonely
17:45staying in the executive
17:46office by myself.
17:47I guess he thought
17:48I should spend more time
17:49getting to know
17:50everyone first.
17:51I think he was right,
17:53so,
17:53here I am.
17:54As she spoke,
17:55she spotted me.
17:57She immediately got up
17:58and linked her arm
17:59through mine
18:00as if we were best friends.
18:01Vivian,
18:02I'm back.
18:03Aren't you happy
18:03to see me?
18:04The second she acted
18:05that affectionate,
18:06I knew she was
18:07setting me up again.
18:08The thought flashed
18:09through my mind.
18:10Almost instinctively,
18:11I pulled my arm away.
18:12The atmosphere
18:13shifted instantly.
18:15Summer kept smiling
18:16at me,
18:16but the warmth
18:17had disappeared
18:18from her eyes.
18:19Fortunately,
18:19our supervisor walked in
18:21before things
18:21became even more awkward.
18:23Looks like everyone's here.
18:25Perfect.
18:26We've got a team
18:27happy hour
18:27after work tonight.
18:29Let's treat it
18:29as a welcome party
18:30for Vivian and Summer.
18:31The moment he finished speaking,
18:33everyone in the office
18:34perped up.
18:35Someone immediately
18:35called out,
18:36Happy hour?
18:37Is Mr. Sterling coming?
18:38The supervisor laughed
18:39and waved a hand.
18:41Mr. Sterling barely
18:42has time to breathe.
18:43Why would he come
18:44to a department happy hour?
18:45He won't be there,
18:46so relax.
18:47Tonight's just about
18:48unwinding.
18:49Have fun.
18:50The room erupted
18:51in laughter.
18:51The tension finally eased.
18:53I lowered my head
18:54and quietly swallowed
18:56the words I'd been about
18:57to use to turn down
18:58the invitation.
18:59Before I knew it,
19:00it was the end
19:01of the work day.
19:02I'd accidentally
19:03stained my dress
19:03at lunch,
19:04so I stopped by
19:05my apartment first
19:06to change.
19:07By the time I finally
19:08arrived at the
19:09rooftop cocktail lounge,
19:11everyone had already
19:12been drinking
19:12for over an hour.
19:14The moment I pushed
19:15open the door,
19:16I saw Adrian Sterling.
19:17He was still wearing
19:18that black shirt.
19:20The top two buttons
19:21were undone,
19:22and the shifting light
19:23swept across his
19:24handsome,
19:24impassive face.
19:25A glass of whiskey
19:26rested loosely in his hand,
19:28his long fingers
19:29absentmindedly tracing
19:31the rim.
19:31I instinctively took
19:33two steps back.
19:34Vivian?
19:35What took you so long?
19:37Come on,
19:37we're waiting for you.
19:38A few cowards
19:39turned to look at me too.
19:41There was nowhere to hide.
19:42I could only force myself
19:43to walk over.
19:45Sorry.
19:46I'm here.
19:47Out of the corner of my eye
19:49I caught Adrian
19:49turning his head slightly.
19:50His gaze drifted over me
19:52for only an instant.
19:53I didn't dare look back.
19:54Keeping my head down,
19:55I searched for the seat
19:57farthest from him.
19:58Before I could get there,
19:59the supervisor gently
20:00nudged me forward.
20:01Sit here.
20:02You're late.
20:03This is the only seat left.
20:04I couldn't say a word,
20:05because the seat
20:06he was pointing to
20:07was right next to Adrian.
20:09Fortunately,
20:10Adrian was speaking quiet
20:11with someone beside him,
20:12seemingly aware
20:13of my arrival.
20:15Suppressing every ounce
20:16of discomfort,
20:17I sat down as stiffly
20:18as a mannequin.
20:19A moment later,
20:20Adrian casually
20:21shifted his posture.
20:22The fabric of his dark slanks
20:24brushed lightly
20:25against my calf.
20:26My body instantly tensed.
20:27I hurriedly pulled
20:29my legs back.
20:30The peace lasted
20:31less than 30 seconds.
20:32He moved again.
20:34The cool fabric
20:35grazed my calf once more,
20:37sending an inexplicable
20:38shiver through me.
20:39Unable to take it anymore,
20:40I glanced toward Adrian,
20:42only to find him
20:42still turned toward
20:43someone else,
20:45engrossed in their conversation.
20:46His expression
20:47remained calm
20:48and distant.
20:48He hadn't even
20:49spared me a glance.
20:51Maybe,
20:51he really wasn't
20:52doing it on purpose.
20:54I lowered my head again,
20:55pressed my knees
20:56tightly together
20:57and silently prayed
20:58for the evening to end.
21:00The very next second,
21:01Adrian's knee
21:02leaned lightly
21:03against mine.
21:04The crease of his slacks
21:05brushed my skirt.
21:06Even through
21:07two layers of fabric,
21:08the warmth radiating
21:09from his leg
21:10nearly burnt me.
21:11There was nowhere
21:12left for me to move.
21:13Adrian still
21:14didn't look at me.
21:15He simply lifted
21:17his whiskey,
21:18took an unhorling sip,
21:19and as he lowered
21:20the glass,
21:21his arm lightly brushed
21:22against my shoulder.
21:23The scent of citrus,
21:25threaded with the faintest
21:26hint of tobacco,
21:27slowly spread
21:28through the narrow booth.
21:29The unmistakable
21:30pheromones of a top alpha.
21:32The gland at the back
21:34of my neck began to tingle,
21:35then burn as if it had
21:36been touched by fire.
21:37I shot to my feet.
21:39I-
21:39I'm going to the restroom.
21:41You guys go ahead.
21:41I practically fled
21:42into the bar's restroom.
21:44I turned on the faucet,
21:45letting the cold water
21:46run over my fingers.
21:48My heartbeat,
21:48however,
21:49refused to slow down.
21:50Then I heard
21:51footsteps behind me.
21:52I looked up.
21:53In the mirror,
21:53I saw a familiar figure.
21:55Adrian came to
21:55an unhungering stop
21:56in the doorway.
21:57Forcing a smile,
21:58I said,
21:59Mr. Sterling,
22:01are you here to use
22:02the restroom too?
22:03He narrowed his eyes.
22:04No.
22:04For a moment,
22:05I didn't understand.
22:06Then he walked toward me,
22:08stopping only a step away.
22:10In a low voice,
22:11he asked,
22:12Why are you avoiding me?
22:13I'm not.
22:14I just-
22:14Vivian.
22:15His arms folded
22:15across his chest.
22:17Through the mirror,
22:17he looked down at me.
22:19His voice was calm,
22:20as though he were asking
22:21the most ordinary question
22:22in the world.
22:23What part of me
22:24haven't you seen?
22:25My mind went
22:26completely blank.
22:27The faucet
22:28continued running.
22:29In the mirror,
22:30my face was as pale
22:31as paper.
22:32He knew.
22:32He knew everything,
22:34even though I already
22:35knew the answer.
22:36I still cling to the
22:37last-ditch dread of hope.
22:38My voice trembled.
22:40You-
22:40No?
22:41Adrian didn't answer
22:42right away.
22:43He simply looked at me
22:44for several long seconds.
22:45Then he gave a quiet laugh.
22:48Know what?
22:48My certainty wavered.
22:50He grew quieter.
22:51Even his breathing softened.
22:52The weight crushing my chest
22:53slowly began to lift.
22:55Then,
22:55without warning,
22:56he spoke again.
22:57His voice dropped even lower.
22:58So,
22:59was it fun?
23:00Lying to me, Vivian?
23:02I nearly forgot how to breathe.
23:03I spun around.
23:04Every trace of warmth
23:05had vanished from Adrian's face.
23:07Step by step,
23:08he closed the distance between us.
23:10His gray-blue eyes
23:11never left mine.
23:12The day I transferred Summer
23:13to the executive office,
23:14I already knew she wasn't
23:16the person I'd been looking for.
23:17Then I saw you last night.
23:19After that,
23:20I had someone look into it.
23:21Summer was never Summer.
23:23You were.
23:24Now I get it.
23:25That's why you disappeared
23:26without a word.
23:27Because none of it was real,
23:28was it?
23:29Your name was fake.
23:31Your identity was fake.
23:32And every time you told me
23:34you loved me,
23:35that was fake too.
23:37I'd never seen Adrian
23:37like this before.
23:38My body instinctively retreated.
23:40I couldn't say a word.
23:41His Adam's apple bobbed
23:43as if he were forcing himself
23:44to swallow every emotion
23:45threatening to spill out.
23:47Vivian,
23:48is there a single thing
23:49I just said
23:50that you want to deny?
23:51Strangely,
23:52hearing those words
23:53come from his own mouth
23:54didn't make me panic.
23:55Instead,
23:56everything inside me
23:56suddenly became still,
23:58like a weight I'd carried
23:59for three years
24:00had finally hit the ground.
24:02I'm sorry,
24:02Adrian.
24:03I'm so,
24:03so sorry.
24:04This is all my fault.
24:05Whatever you want to do,
24:07I'll accept it.
24:08I pretended to be Summer Hart.
24:10I lied to you.
24:11I know I'm a terrible person.
24:13I'm really sorry.
24:14Adrian pressed his lips
24:15into a thin line.
24:17The more I apologized,
24:18the tighter his fists became.
24:19His knuckles turned white.
24:21Veins slowly surfaced
24:22across the backs of his hands.
24:23I thought,
24:24after being deceived
24:25for three years,
24:26a top alpha like him
24:27probably wanted to
24:28strangle me himself.
24:30I quietly closed my eyes.
24:32Instead,
24:32I heard him speak again.
24:34And?
24:34Other than apologizing?
24:36After everything I just said,
24:38you don't have a single thing
24:39to say for yourself?
24:40What else?
24:41I froze.
24:42Then another thought
24:43suddenly hit me.
24:44There's one more thing.
24:45All the money you gave me,
24:47I used it to pay my tuition.
24:50I'll pay every cent back,
24:51I promise.
24:52If you want to call the police,
24:53I'll-
24:53Vivian!
24:54His voice suddenly rose,
24:55then forced itself back down.
24:57Vivian!
24:58Do you really think
24:59all I care about
25:00is that damn money?
25:01I blinked.
25:02Before my brain could catch up,
25:03the words slipped out.
25:04Money isn't damn.
25:06A vein throbbed violently
25:07at his temple.
25:08He looked as though
25:08I'd either made him laugh
25:10or broken him completely.
25:11I bit my lip
25:12and slowly shook my head.
25:13Adrian,
25:14I really have nothing to explain.
25:16Everything was my-
25:16Before I could finish,
25:17he suddenly grabbed my wrist.
25:19His eyes were slowly turning red.
25:21So,
25:22everything you ever felt for me
25:23was fake too,
25:24Vivian?
25:25Answer me.
25:26Was there ever even
25:27for a single moment
25:28when you truly liked me?
25:29I had imagined countless ways
25:31this truth would come out.
25:32I had imagined him furious,
25:34disgusted,
25:35coldly telling me to get out,
25:36or making me pay
25:37for everything I'd done.
25:38But never this.
25:39Never him standing in front of me
25:41looking like an abandoned puppy,
25:43asking whether I'd ever loved him at all.
25:44It wasn't supposed to be like this.
25:46I was the one
25:47who had shamelessly deceived him.
25:49My silence seemed to hurt him even more.
25:51He squeezed his eyes shut,
25:52then slowly let go of my wrist.
25:54Okay.
25:57I got my answer.
25:58Only then did I finally come back to myself.
26:01Adrian,
26:02I instinctively,
26:02I reached for his sleeve.
26:04My fingers caught nothing but air.
26:06Adrian had already turned away.
26:08Without looking back,
26:09he walked out.
26:10I stood there,
26:11staring after him.
26:12The warmth his hand had left around my wrist
26:14slowly faded away.
26:16After that day,
26:18Adrian never came back to the branch office.
26:20I spent the next few days
26:22trying to work up the courage
26:23to reach out to him.
26:24I sent him friend request
26:26after friend request.
26:27Every single one
26:28disappeared into the void.
26:29It was like he was never going
26:31to talk to me again.
26:32I stared blankly at my phone
26:34as the screen lit up,
26:35went dark,
26:36then lit up again.
26:37Just as I was wondering
26:39what else I could do,
26:40my mom called.
26:41I pushed my laptop aside,
26:43picked up my phone,
26:44and stepped into the stairwell.
26:46Hi mom,
26:46what's up?
26:47Vivian,
26:48nothing's wrong,
26:49I just wanted to check in.
26:50I fell silent.
26:51The door at the end of the hallway
26:52wasn't fully closed.
26:53A cold draft slipped through the crack
26:55and crept down the back of my collar.
26:57Without thinking,
26:58I touched the scent gland
26:59at the back of my neck.
27:00Somehow,
27:01Adrian came to mind again,
27:02and a dull ache
27:03spread through my chest.
27:05Vivian,
27:06what's going on?
27:07Is someone at work
27:08giving you a hard time?
27:10If they are,
27:11buy them a coffee
27:12or bring in some donuts.
27:14Be kind to people,
27:16and they'll be kind to you.
27:17That's how it works,
27:19right?
27:19The same speech again.
27:21My head started pounding.
27:22Mom,
27:23I'm still at work.
27:24I have to go.
27:25Before she could say anything else,
27:26I hung up.
27:27I stood there in the stairwell
27:28for another two seconds
27:30before pushing the door open
27:31and heading back to my desk.
27:33The air was thick
27:34with the sickly sweet smell
27:35of caramel latte.
27:36Brown coffee was slowly
27:38trickling down my monitor,
27:39dripping onto the keyboard
27:40one drop at a time.
27:41The screen had already gone black,
27:43and the project files beside it
27:44were completely soaked.
27:45The report I'd spent days
27:46working overtime to finish,
27:48the one I hadn't even uploaded
27:49to the cloud yet,
27:50was ruined.
27:51Completely ruined.
27:52Summer was standing beside my desk,
27:54an empty coffee cup
27:55still in her hand.
27:56She wore the same innocent expression
27:58as a kitten
27:58that had just knocked over
27:59a flower pot.
28:00Vivian, I'm so sorry.
28:02I accidentally spilled my coffee
28:03all over your computer.
28:04It shouldn't be that bad, right?
28:06I honestly didn't mean to.
28:07I didn't have time
28:08to deal with her.
28:09I grabbed a stack
28:10of paper towels
28:11and frantically tried
28:12to wipe everything dry.
28:13It was useless.
28:15Summer covered her mouth
28:16and let out a laugh.
28:18It's okay.
28:19Just make another copy.
28:20It couldn't have taken
28:21that much work, right?
28:22My scalp tingled
28:24as I slowly looked up at her.
28:25The smugness in her voice
28:26dragged memories
28:27I'd buried deep inside
28:28back to the surface.
28:30Suddenly,
28:30I was back in my senior year
28:32of high school.
28:33I stood in the assistant
28:34principal's office,
28:35my hands clenched tightly
28:36around the hem of my jacket.
28:37I gathered every ounce
28:38of courage I had
28:39and, word by word,
28:41told them everything
28:41Summer had done
28:42to bully me.
28:43My whole body
28:44was shaking as I spoke.
28:45Summer, on the other hand,
28:46just leaned lazily
28:47against the wall.
28:48She casually cleaned out
28:49one ear,
28:50then looked at me
28:51as if to say,
28:54So what?
28:55She was right.
28:56There wasn't a thing
28:56I could do.
28:57Because when my father
28:58was called to school,
28:59the first thing he did
29:00wasn't ask if I was hurt.
29:02He shoved me hard instead.
29:04Bullying?
29:04Come on.
29:05They're just kids
29:06messing around.
29:07Vivian's always been
29:08overly sensitive.
29:09Don't mind her.
29:10Summer smiled
29:11as she hopped off
29:11the edge of the desk
29:12and gently shook her head.
29:14Oh, Vivian.
29:15Bullying?
29:15I was only joking with you.
29:17If you really feel
29:18that bad about it,
29:19I'll apologize.
29:20She deliberately
29:21dragged out the edivin,
29:22her eyes curved
29:22into a sweet,
29:23innocent smile.
29:24Apolitize for what?
29:25My dad didn't even
29:26give me a chance to speak.
29:27He pulled me aside,
29:29patted Summer on the shoulder,
29:31and said,
29:32Summer,
29:32I know you're a good kid.
29:34You don't owe anyone
29:35an apology.
29:36Vivian,
29:37what are you standing there for?
29:38Go shake hands with Summer.
29:40Why do you always have
29:41to take everything
29:41so seriously?
29:42I stood there
29:43without moving.
29:44I looked at my own father
29:45as if he were
29:46a complete stranger.
29:47Summer stood behind him,
29:49and when no one was looking,
29:50she stuck her tongue
29:51out at me.
29:52That expression
29:53was exactly the same
29:54as it is now.
29:55Give in.
29:56Give in.
29:56Just keep giving in.
29:58That's what my parents
29:59had taught me
29:59my entire life.
30:01But what had it ever
30:02gotten me?
30:02I clenched the crumpled
30:03paper towel in my hand,
30:05my breathing growing
30:05faster and faster.
30:07Years of bottled up pain
30:08weighed heavier
30:09and heavier on my chest.
30:10Then I heard it.
30:11Something inside me
30:12finally snapped.
30:14Summer was still
30:14standing there,
30:15speaking in the sweetest,
30:16most innocent voice
30:17in the world.
30:18I really didn't mean to.
30:20She even casually
30:21reached out,
30:22trying to pat me
30:23on the shoulder.
30:23The next second,
30:24my body moved
30:25before my mind
30:25could stop it.
30:26I lunged forward,
30:27grabbed a fistful
30:28of her blonde hair,
30:29yanked her toward me
30:29and slapped her
30:30across the face twice,
30:31hard enough to send
30:32her stumbling backward.
30:33She wasn't wrong.
30:35Growing up,
30:35I'd spent years
30:36helping my mom
30:37clean houses
30:37and move heavy furniture.
30:39I'd always been strong.
30:40Summer let out
30:41a shrill scream.
30:43She'd never imagined
30:44I'd actually fight back.
30:46I kept hold of her hair
30:47and threw her to the floor.
30:49She screamed
30:50at the top of her lungs,
30:51You fucking bitch!
30:53How dare you hit me!
30:55grinding my teeth.
30:56I kicked her twice
30:57before throwing myself
30:58on top of her,
31:00slapping her over
31:00and over again.
31:01The two of us
31:02were soon locked
31:03in a full-blown brawl.
31:04When our supervisor
31:05rushed in,
31:06this was the first thing
31:06he saw.
31:07What are you all doing?
31:08Pull them apart!
31:09Right now!
31:10The guys in the office
31:11finally snapped out of it
31:12and rushed over
31:13to grab my arms.
31:14Someone pulled Summer
31:15away from me.
31:16It was Marcus,
31:16the same assistant
31:18who had shoved me
31:18a few days earlier.
31:19I shot him a glare,
31:21then swing.
31:22One hard slap.
31:23His glasses flew
31:24right off his face.
31:25By the time it was over,
31:26I was pinned down
31:27in a chair.
31:28My hair had come loose.
31:30One sleeve of my blouse
31:31was half torn off,
31:32but I was still clutching
31:33a fistful of Summer's
31:34blonde hair.
31:35Summer stood across
31:36from me.
31:37Half her face was swollen.
31:38She glared at me
31:39with pure hatred.
31:40The supervisor's face
31:41had turned green
31:42with rage.
31:43He was just about
31:44to start yelling
31:44when the office
31:45suddenly fell silent.
31:46Someone near the door
31:47lowered their voice
31:48and said,
31:49Mr. Sterling's here.
31:50Adrian stood in the doorway,
31:52his expression unreadable
31:53as he took in the scene
31:54before him.
31:55He looked like he'd just
31:56walked of an executive meeting,
31:57dressed in a perfectly
31:58teared Sir Mulgrey suit
31:59that couldn't have looked
32:00more out of place
32:01in the wrecked office.
32:02I finally calmed down.
32:04Silently,
32:04I pressed a hand
32:05over the scratches
32:05on my arm.
32:06Summer had always been
32:08popular around the office.
32:09Almost everyone
32:10immediately took her side.
32:12Vivian,
32:13how could you hit her?
32:14Seriously,
32:15Mr. Sterling,
32:15we all saw it.
32:16She grabbed Summer's hair first.
32:18She always seemed so quiet.
32:19I never would have guessed
32:20she had a temper like this.
32:21Summer was sitting
32:22on the floor.
32:22Her eyes turned red
32:24and tears spilled down
32:25almost instantly.
32:26She cried without
32:27making a sound,
32:28but somehow
32:29that made her look
32:30even more pitiful
32:31than if she'd been sobbing.
32:32She ignored every co-worker
32:34who was speaking up for her.
32:37Instead,
32:38she reached out
32:39and lightly grabbed
32:40the hem of Adrian's
32:41suit pants,
32:42her voice trembling
32:42with fear.
32:44Mr. Sterling,
32:45Vivian,
32:45she just suddenly
32:46attacked me.
32:47I don't even know
32:48what I did wrong.
32:49I'm so scared.
32:49Adrian lowered his eyes.
32:51Without a trace of emotion,
32:53he lifted one foot.
32:54Calmly,
32:55he nudged her wrist away,
32:56as casually
32:58as brushing aside
32:59something that was
32:59in his way.
33:01Summer's hand
33:01froze in midair.
33:02She went completely still.
33:05Adrian didn't spare
33:05her another glance.
33:07He walked straight
33:08through the crowd.
33:09His polished leather shoes
33:10crushed the scattered
33:11documents across the floor.
33:13Then he stopped
33:14in front of me.
33:15Lowering his head,
33:16he gently eased my hand
33:17away from the wound
33:18on my arm.
33:18His touch was
33:19unbelievably gentle,
33:20but when he spoke,
33:21his voice came out
33:22rough and harcy.
33:23Let me see.
33:24He gently pried
33:25my fingers away.
33:26The scratches on my arm
33:27were exposed to the air,
33:28stinging with a sharp
33:29burning pain,
33:30but my thoughts
33:31were in even greater chaos.
33:32Instinctively,
33:33I wanted to tell him
33:34I was fine.
33:35The words had barely
33:36reached my lips.
33:37Before I could say
33:38anything,
33:39he took my hand
33:39and started leading me out.
33:41The familiar scent
33:42of tobacco and syndromes
33:43instantly wrapped around me.
33:45I forgot to struggle.
33:46Behind us,
33:47I heard a chorus
33:48of shocked gasps.
33:49Adrian never looked back,
33:50right in front of
33:51everyone's stunned eyes.
33:52He openly held my hand
33:53and led me toward
33:54the CEO's office.
33:56I stumbled after him.
33:57Maybe fighting Summer
33:58had finally broken open
33:59everything I'd been
34:00forcing down all these years.
34:02Staring at his broad back,
34:03my nose sting.
34:04Before I knew it,
34:05the words were spilling out.
34:07Adrian,
34:07my feelings for you
34:08were never fake.
34:09I never should have
34:10pretended to be Summer.
34:11I never should have
34:12used her pictures.
34:13I wanted to get back at her,
34:14but I never should have
34:15dragged you into it.
34:16I've always been awkward
34:17and a coward,
34:18but my feelings for you
34:20were real.
34:20The day we ended things,
34:22I was devastated.
34:23I love you.
34:24I really do.
34:25I love you so, so much.
34:26Adrian didn't respond.
34:28He never slowed down.
34:29He didn't even look back.
34:31The hallway felt
34:32impossibly long.
34:33The only sound
34:34was our footsteps
34:34echoing through the silence.
34:36Following behind him,
34:37I felt my heart
34:38sink a little more
34:39with every step.
34:40He wasn't going to forgive me.
34:42He was never going
34:43to speak to me again.
34:44Tears started spilling
34:45down my face again.
34:46I bit down hard on my lip,
34:47refusing to let myself
34:47make a sound.
34:48Just as my hand
34:49began to slip from his,
34:50he suddenly tightened his grip.
34:52The next second,
34:53he pushed open the door
34:54to the CEO's office.
34:55He pulled me forward
34:56so abruptly
34:57that I stumbled two steps.
34:59The door slammed shut
35:00behind us.
35:01Before I could react,
35:02my back hit the cold,
35:04wooden door.
35:05I hadn't even finished
35:06saying his name
35:07when he suddenly lowered
35:08his head and kissed me.
35:09The kiss was urgent,
35:11almost desperate.
35:12I was trapped
35:13between the door
35:14and his body,
35:15with nowhere to escape.
35:16His lips parted mine
35:17with effortless ease.
35:18His breath was scorching hot,
35:20as if it could set
35:21my entire body on fire.
35:22Without realizing it,
35:23I clutched the front
35:24of his dress shirt tightly.
35:26Time passed,
35:26second by second.
35:27His kiss gradually softened.
35:29His fierce urgency
35:30slowly melted
35:31into something slow
35:31and lingering.
35:32He gently sucked
35:33on my lower lip,
35:34again and again.
35:35The hand braced
35:35beside my head
35:36slowly slid down,
35:37until it settled
35:38around my waist,
35:39pulling me closer
35:40into his arms.
35:41Our bodies pressed
35:42tightly together,
35:43separated by nothing more
35:44than a thin layer
35:45of fabric,
35:46sharing each other's warmth.
35:47I had no idea
35:48how much time had passed.
35:50Finally,
35:51he pulled back
35:52just a little,
35:52resting his forehead
35:53against mine.
35:54His voice was so hosky
35:56it barely sounded
35:56like his own.
35:57I finally got to kiss you.
35:58It felt exactly
35:59the way I imagined.
36:00Y-you're talking nonsense.
36:01I wiped away my tears,
36:03not daring to look up at him.
36:05Suddenly,
36:06Adrian frowned.
36:07Wait,
36:07when did you ever
36:08send me Summer's picture?
36:09Are you sure
36:10you're remembering it right?
36:11He handed me his phone,
36:12I took it,
36:13and slowly scrolled up
36:14through our chat history.
36:15Before long,
36:16the conversations
36:17that made my face
36:18burn all over again
36:19appeared on the screen.
36:20I kept scrolling,
36:21until I reached
36:22the photos we'd sent
36:23each other.
36:24Suggestive angles,
36:25half-open collars,
36:27Adrian stood beside me,
36:29the two of us
36:29looking down
36:30at the same screen.
36:31His breathing
36:32had noticeably
36:33grown uneven.
36:33I didn't dare
36:34look at him.
36:35I could only force myself
36:36to keep scrolling,
36:36all the way back
36:38to the day we first met.
36:39Nothing.
36:40There really wasn't one.
36:41That picture
36:42had never been sent.
36:43Then,
36:44if you never got
36:45Summer's picture,
36:46how did you know
36:47who she was
36:48on the very first day?
36:49He looked down at me.
36:50His voice was calm.
36:51You told me before
36:52that you'd be interning
36:53at Sterling Technologies.
36:55The timing matched,
36:56the name matched,
36:57and there was only
36:58one Summer
36:59on the intern list.
37:01He paused.
37:02His eyes stayed
37:03locked on my face.
37:04Vivian,
37:05don't tell me
37:06you really thought
37:06I fell for nothing
37:07more than that picture.
37:08He stepped back
37:09half a pace,
37:10gently cupped my face
37:11with both hands,
37:12making me look him
37:13in the eyes.
37:13You believe
37:14that there's really
37:15an unexplainable pull
37:16between pheromones?
37:17The night you got
37:18into my car,
37:19I hadn't even
37:19opened my eyes yet,
37:20but every instinct I had
37:21was screaming
37:22that it was you.
37:23As he spoke,
37:24he let out a quiet,
37:25self-mocking laugh.
37:27Sometimes I honestly wonder
37:28if I was born
37:29to be your golden retriever.
37:30Otherwise,
37:31why does hearing
37:32your voice alone
37:33make me feel so at peace?
37:34I pressed my lips together.
37:36Finally,
37:36I couldn't help but smile.
37:38Then I varied my face
37:39against his chest again.
37:40But,
37:41you didn't even know
37:42what I looked like.
37:44What if I'm not your type?
37:45He fell silent
37:46for a few seconds,
37:47then gently held me
37:48a little tighter.
37:49His voice was
37:50unbelievably soft.
37:51I never thought about that.
37:52But no matter
37:53what you look like,
37:54I think I'd still
37:55fall for you.
37:56It's strained
37:57the way I feel about you.
37:58I can't seem to control it.
37:59Ever since we finally
38:00came clean with each other
38:01that day,
38:02the weight I'd been carrying
38:03for years finally lifted.
38:05My relationship with Adrian
38:06grew steadier
38:07with each passing day.
38:09Six months later,
38:10the truth about Summer
38:11bullying her Omega new mate
38:12back in college
38:13suddenly exploded
38:14across the internet.
38:15Chat lines,
38:16secretly recorded videos,
38:17voice recordings,
38:18one piece of evidence
38:19after another,
38:20quickly took over
38:21every major social media
38:22platform.
38:22By the time the news
38:23reached the office,
38:24Summer's desk
38:25was already empty.
38:26Some people sighed,
38:28some shook their heads.
38:29But before long,
38:31everyone went back
38:32to their own work.
38:33It was a Friday evening,
38:34just as I was getting ready
38:35to leave for the day.
38:36My mom suddenly called.
38:37Her voice was gentler
38:38than I'd ever heard it before.
38:40Vivian,
38:40I want to tell you I'm sorry.
38:42I saw the news
38:42a few days ago.
38:43Your father and I
38:44always thought that
38:45if you just endured it,
38:46eventually it would all pass.
38:47Now I finally understand.
38:48I was wrong.
38:49There was a long silence
38:51on the other end.
38:52Then my dad took the phone.
38:53I was wrong too back then.
38:56I should have stood
38:57by your side.
38:59I held my phone,
39:01looking out at the city lights
39:02slowly coming alive
39:03beyond the window.
39:05In the end,
39:06I simply said,
39:07it's all in the past now.
39:09After hanging up,
39:10I stood by the Florida
39:12clearing window in the office,
39:13lost in thought.
39:14A moment later,
39:15I heard familiar footsteps
39:16behind me.
39:18Adrian walked over
39:19and placed a cup of warm milk
39:20into my hands.
39:23He didn't ask a single question.
39:24He simply wrapped an arm
39:26around my shoulders
39:26and gently pulled me
39:27into his embrace.
39:28I slowly turned around,
39:30rose onto my tiptoes
39:31and softly kissed his cheek.
39:33He let out a quiet laugh,
39:34then held me even tighter,
39:36as if he wanted to hold
39:37my entire world in his arms.
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