Racing Against Time
Adrian's tires screeched violently against the pavement, the echo bouncing off concrete walls as he wove through traffic like a man possessed. His heart pounded like a war drum. His investigator's voice wouldn't stop replaying in his head.
"It's about Emily... and Lucas."
The name alone made Adrian's jaw clench. He knew something was wrong. He felt it in his bones.
He snatched his phone from the passenger seat, quickly dialing Celeste's number.
Ring.
No answer.
He tried again. "Come on, Celeste. Pick up," he muttered.
Still nothing.
"Damn it," he cursed, his knuckles turning white as he slammed the gas pedal harder.
Hang on, Celeste. I'm coming.
—
The suite was too quiet.
Too calm.
Celeste sat stiffly on the couch, watching Lucas pour two glasses of wine. The soft clink of glass on glass made her skin crawl, though she didn't know why.
"I know you're hurting," Lucas said smoothly, handing her a glass. His voice was soft, syrupy—too rehearsed. "I just didn't want you to be alone tonight."
She offered a polite smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thanks, Lucas."
He sank beside her—closer than necessary—and leaned forward slightly. "I never understood what you saw in Adrian. He never gave you the love you deserved."
Celeste looked down at her wine. "Maybe I was just convenient," she said quietly. "Maybe I wanted to believe it was real."
Lucas's jaw ticked. "You don't have to cry over him anymore."
"I'm not crying," she said, her voice flat.
Lucas chuckled lowly, reaching out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Then let's toast to new beginnings."
His hand lingered too long. His stare was sharp—too sharp.
Celeste's body tensed.
Something's not right.
—
Adrian's car screeched to a halt in front of the hotel. He leapt out, barely bothering to lock it. Every second counted. The image of Celeste alone with him burned in his mind.
He bolted through the lobby, ignoring the receptionist's shout, and sprinted for the elevator.
Room 1905.
The floor couldn't come fast enough. His reflection in the mirrored elevator walls looked unrecognizable—wild eyes, clenched fists, a storm waiting to explode.
Please be okay. Please.
The doors opened.
He ran.
____
Inside, Celeste froze.
A loud bang echoed from the door.
Then another—harder.
"Celeste!" Adrian's voice thundered from the other side. "Open the door!"
Lucas stood up abruptly, his expression darkening. "Why is he here?"
Celeste rose too, confused. "How did he—?"
Lucas grabbed her wrist.
"Don't open it," he hissed, his eyes suddenly sharp and menacing. "He'll lie to you again."
"Lucas, let go," she said, pulling against his grip.
He held tighter.
Her stomach twisted.
This isn't right. Something's wrong. Very wrong.
Adrian didn't wait another second.
With a grunt, he kicked the door.
It flew open.
His eyes landed on Celeste—and the hand wrapped around her wrist.
His world went red.
"Get your hands off my wife," Adrian growled, storming in like a hurricane.
Lucas let go, startled. "You're insane—!"
Adrian didn't give him a chance.
He lunged, grabbed Lucas by the collar, and slammed him hard against the wall.
Celeste gasped, backing away.
"You sick bastard," Adrian seethed, his voice low, dangerous. "You think I don't know what you did? You and Emily—setting me up, dragging Celeste into your twisted games?"
Lucas sneered, blood at the corner of his lip. "Took you long enough to figure it out."
Celeste blinked. "W-What?"
Adrian turned to her. "Tell her the truth," he spat. "Tell her how you used her."
Lucas exhaled through his nose and smirked. "Fine. I did it. I set you up, Celeste. I manipulated you. I wanted you to hate Adrian."
Her entire world tilted.
"You... lied to me?" Her voice cracked, fragile, broken.
"I did it for you!" Lucas shouted. "Because I love you. Because he doesn't deserve you!"
"No," she whispered, shaking her head, stepping back like he was toxic. "You used me. You tried to break me."
Lucas's face twisted. "I would've treated you better than he ever—"
He didn't finish.
Adrian punched him square in the jaw with a sickening crack.
Lucas stumbled, groaning. "You son of a—!"
Adrian grabbed him again, slamming him to the floor. "You ever come near her again, I swear I'll end you."
Lucas writhed, glaring, but before the situation could escalate, hotel security burst through the door.
"Sir, step back!"
Adrian exhaled through clenched teeth and shoved Lucas toward them. "Get him out of here."
As security dragged a bloodied and smirking Lucas from the suite, he looked back one last time. "This isn't over."
Celeste didn't respond.
She couldn't.
Her ears were ringing. Her knees weak.
The lies. The manipulation. The betrayal.
She turned to Adrian, trembling. "You... came."
"I promised you I will never let anyone hurt you," he said softly. "Not again."
Her lip quivered. "I almost believed him."
"But you didn't," Adrian said, stepping closer.
Celeste's eyes filled with tears.
"No," she whispered. "I didn't."
And in that moment, even in all the chaos, she knew.
Adrian was the one.
Even if it was already too late.