Chapter 53: 53.

Adrian's POV.

My stomach grumbled terribly. Not grumbling of hunger, but the grumbling of trouble.

I ran into the toilet. I don't know what went wrong but since I ate the chips and pizza, my stomach hasn't been in peace. I've been visiting the toilet ever since.

I sighed, hating myself. Hating this new life over and over again.

Some minutes later, I stretched my hand across the room, and my hand met with something hard and cold.

My eyes snapped to the direction instantly and my eyes widened.

Out of toilet paper?

Fuck!

For a second, I just sat there, staring at the empty holder like it had personally betrayed me.

"This has to be a joke," I muttered under my breath, glancing around like something would magically appear if I looked hard enough.

Nothing... of course nothing. Because in this life, nothing just appears anymore.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. "Think."

My eyes scanned the small bathroom quickly—sink, mirror, cabinet. I leaned forward, stretching awkwardly to open the cabinet beneath the sink only to find it empty.

Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

"This is exactly how I die," I muttered dryly. "Not in a boardroom, not in some grand, dramatic way, but defeated… by toilet paper."

I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, trying to stay calm. Panicking wasn’t going to fix anything.

"Alright," I whispered to myself. "Handle it."

After an embarrassingly long and frustrating struggle, I finally managed to sort myself out using what little I could find in the bathroom— something I would never speak about again for the rest of my life.

Ever.

Once I was done, I stood up slowly, washing my hands longer than necessary, like that would somehow cleanse the entire experience from existence.

I looked up at my reflection in the mirror. "You’ve hit rock bottom," I told myself flatly.

No staff. No backup. No system. Just me… and a very clear reminder that I was completely on my own now.

My stomach twisted again, not as bad as before, but enough to make me frown.

"That’s it," I muttered. "I’m getting supplies."

I wasn’t going through that again.

Grabbing my wallet and phone, I stepped out of the apartment, locking the door behind me before heading downstairs.

Luckily, I found a cab very easily and quickly. The store wasn’t far, just a drive from the building. Still, every second felt slightly uncomfortable, my stomach threatening betrayal at any moment.

"Hold it together," I warned under my breath.

The moment I stepped into the store, cool air hit my face, and I exhaled in slight relief.

This place again.

I grabbed a basket and walked straight to the aisle I needed this time, no hesitation. Toilet paper instantly.

I stared at the different brands like they were written in another language. Different kinds of toilet papers — soft, ultra soft, double ply, triple ply.

"What is the difference?" I muttered.

After a few seconds of silent judgment, I grabbed the one that looked the most… reliable.

"This should be enough," I said, tossing it into the basket, then I paused. Actually… no, I grabbed another pack just in case. Definitely just in case. I wasn’t taking any chances anymore.

Moving through the aisles, I picked up a few more things—bottled water, snacks, cleaning supplies, things I never thought I’d have to personally shop for.

My steps slowed slightly when I passed the food section.

For a moment, I just stood there... cooking. That thought alone felt foreign.

I reached for something simple then stopped midway.

Jane.

The memory came uninvited again. Her standing in the kitchen, trying, nervous, careful, wanting to get it right for me.

My jaw tightened slightly, and I pulled my hand back.

"Not today," I muttered, turning away. I wasn’t ready for that.

At the counter, the cashier scanned my items quickly. I paid without saying much, grabbed the bags, and headed back out.

By the time I returned to the building, my stomach had finally settled a little, and I breathed in relief.

I stepped inside and made my way up the stairs, the grocery bags weighing slightly in my hands. Each step echoed faintly in the quiet hallway as I reached my floor finally.

I exhaled lightly, shifting the bags in my grip as I approached my apartment.

Just as I reached for my door, I heard a click sound. A door opened behind me.

I paused instinctively, turning slowly, and there he was, the man stepping out of the apartment directly opposite mine. Tall, familiar, unmistakable.

Our eyes met, and for a brief second, neither of us spoke.

The air between us shifted instantly, sharp, and heavy with everything unspoken.

So this… wasn’t a coincidence after all.

My grip tightened slightly around the grocery bags.

Well, this just got interesting.

As if I were invisible, he turned to walk away, and of course, I didn't let him.

"Hey, stop right there!" I commanded and he stopped immediately.

Turning to face me again, he looked me from head to toes, then smirked. "Legendary Adrian Blackwood in..." he paused halfway, ending up in a mock chuckle.

My blood boiled beneath my skin, but I forced myself to remain calm. "Where is Jane?" I asked.

He smirked, "how should I know where she is."

I scoffed, trying hard to keep myself calm. "Have you ever been beaten with toilet paper?" I asked him.

"No, thank you," he gave me a fake smile.

"Then what the fuck are you doing here in this place if Jane isn't here?" I shot at him.

He scoffed, taking two steps closer to me. "I'm a Judge, Mr Blackwood," he began. "And Judges sometimes visit victims for investigation or follow-up purposes."

That hit me. He was right.

But something in me didn't believe him. I refused to.

I closed the distance between us. "If I find out..."

He laughed, cutting me off, "what can you do?" He challenged. "You're nothing now, Adrian."

The words echoed in my head, my grip around the shopping bags tightening.

"So just keep lying low in peace," he added with a smirk and walked away.

I stood there, my eyes fixed on his retreating figure as my palms closed together tighter.

I looked at the door opposite from mine. Something in me refused to believe that bastard. Something in me told me Jane was behind that door but I didn't know how to prove it.

I approached the door and without thinking too much, I rang the doorbell.

Standing for a few minutes without get a response, I pressed on the doorbell again, and within a few seconds, the door opened.

But it wasn't Jane behind the door, it was a woman... someone that I've never seen before or even recognize.

What the hell was going on? Shouldn't Jane be the one here?

"Excuse me? Do you need anything?" The woman's unfamiliar voice rang between us.

My blood dried up, I didn't know what to say or do.

Suddenly my chest tightened all of a sudden, my breath catching up in my throat.

I turned away quickly without a word and walked into my apartment, shutting the door gently.

I stood behind my door, my brain still in a freeze.

What is going on?