Chapter 45: Chapter 45.

Adrian's POV.

Stepping out of what used to be my office, my mind was a chaos of thoughts. Who put up the news, and why did they do it?

Lena stepped into the floor, and rushed over when she saw me. "Sir, you're here?"

"I'm leaving," I answered, and she gave a silent "oh."

"But before I leave," I spoke again, gaining her attention. "I need you to do something for me... can you help me out?" I asked.

"Of course," she answered almost immediately. "I'll do anything for you, sir," she said, her face lighting up with a smile.

The corners of my lips lifted halfly into a smile. "Don't do everything just for me."

"You don't get to decide that," she replied, faking a frown.

"Fine," I surrendered, I was in no strength to argue with anyone at the moment.

She smiled widely, her fake frown fading away. "So what were you gonna ask for my help for?" She asked.

Yeah. Right.

"I'm sure you've seen the recent news about my said to be illness..." I began, and she nodded.

"...can you help me find out who put up their news?" I asked. "I need to know who they are and what's their intention? What are they up to?"

She stared at me in silence as I stayed wrapped up in my own thoughts.

"It's me," she suddenly spoke.

I raised a brow, "what?"

"It was me," she repeated. "I did it. I put up the news."

For a moment… I didn’t react.

"It was me," she said again, her voice quieter now, but steady.

My mind went blank.

"What?" The word came out sharp, edged with disbelief.

"I put up the news," she repeated.

I stared at her, trying to process it, but it didn’t make sense.

"You?" I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head slightly. "You expect me to believe that?"

"I’m not asking you to believe it," she said softly. "I’m telling you the truth."

A heavy, and uncomfortable silence stretched between us for a moment.

My jaw tightened. "Why?"

Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, like she was bracing herself. "To protect you."

A scoff escaped me this time, low and humorless. "Protect me?" I echoed. "By telling the entire world I’m sick?"

"Yes."

That answer came without hesitation, and somehow… that irritated me more.

"Explain," I demanded, my voice dropping.

She took a slow breath before speaking. "The company is unstable. Your removal, Mr. Brandon stepping in, internal conflicts… it was only a matter of time before the media tore you apart."

I said nothing because I knew she was right.

"But if the narrative changes," she continued, "if the world believes you stepped down on your own terms because of your health, then you’re not a fallen man… you’re a man taking a break."

My brows furrowed slightly.

"It buys you time," she added.

Time, that word again.

"Time to fix things," she said. "Time to figure things out without the world breathing down your neck. Time to come back… properly."

I looked at her, really looked this time. Her eyes weren’t just loyal, they were… desperate. Desperate for me to stand again.

"For once," she said quietly, stepping closer, "I didn’t act as your secretary. I acted as someone who didn’t want to watch you get destroyed."

Something uncomfortable shifted in my chest, something unfamiliar.

"Sir…" she hesitated, then corrected herself softly. "Adrian."

That made me pause, and give her a closer look.

"I’m giving you time," she said, her voice steady now, even if her eyes weren’t. "Time to fix things and come back to yourself…"

The opportunity she was giving me... I don't think I want to take it.

"Lena—"

"Adrian Blackwood," she cut me off.

My breath hitched just slightly. No one had said my name like that in a long time. Not as a title, not as power, but as… me.

No one except Jane.

I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through my hair. "You should’ve told me," I muttered.

"I couldn’t," she replied. "If I asked, you would’ve said no."

She wasn’t wrong. I definitely would have kicked against it.

A faint, tired smile tugged at my lips. "You’re getting bold."

She gave a small shrug. "Maybe I learned from you."

I shook my head lightly, then turned away. "Thank you," I said, my voice quieter this time.

Her silence behind me told me everything.

I didn’t wait, I walked away.

Back in my car, the drive was quiet. Too quiet. Her words echoed in my head—Time. Fix things. Come back to yourself.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.

Do I even know who that was anymore? Do I still recognize Adrian Blackwood?

The building came into view before I could answer that. I parked, stepping out slowly, my gaze lifting to take it in. It was simple, nothing extravagant, nothing like what I used to have.

Good. That was the point.

"Sir." A voice rang out, and I turned.

The same man from my phone call earlier approached, giving me a respectful nod. "You’re right on time," he said.

"I don’t like to be late," I replied.

"This way," he led me, and I followed.

We walked into the building together. The atmosphere was calm, almost too calm. No noise, no pressure, just… quiet.

We moved toward the stairs. "Third floor," he said, and I nodded.

It was either I moved out of the Blackwood estate or Brandon threw me out... and I want to avoid that.

"You are going to love it, sir," the man beside me spoke.

Agents and their way of convincing people. Well, I hope I do love it, or else I'd snap his head off his neck for taking my money, and giving me a sham.

"These are the papers too," he handed me a file. "Everything is set."

I collected the file, and skimmed through the cover in a second.

"Everything is set. I just need your signatures there, and everything would be finalized. My sister's signatures are there already," he added.

The apartment wasn't his. According to him, he said it belonged to his sister.

I nodded anyway. It was none of my business who owned the apartment as long as it would become mine now.

As we climbed, my thoughts drifted again. But it wasn't about the company this time, nor about Brandon, but about her... Jane.

Her face popped up in my head, the way she'd look at me with pain in her eyes... pain that I caused her.

I exhaled sharply, trying to focus. I raised my head up, and everything happened fast.

A figure turned into the stairs at the same time I stepped forward, and then impact.

A soft body collided into mine, light, familiar.

My hands reacted before my mind did, gripping her arms to steady her before she could fall.

My breath caught. That scent, that presence... No…

Slowly, I looked down, and everything stilled.