Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen
A Moment of Truth

I woke up feeling safe, wrapped in Nicholas’s warmth. His steady breathing tickled my skin, his arm draped protectively over my waist. For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. The weight of the past few weeks—the fear, the uncertainty—seemed distant, like a bad dream that no longer had a hold on me.

But peace was a fragile thing. And deep down, I knew it wouldn’t last.

Reality was waiting.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed, moving as quietly as I could. Nicholas didn’t stir. His face, usually sharp with control and authority, looked softer in sleep. Peaceful. Vulnerable, even. I hesitated, my fingers grazing the sheet where he lay. A part of me wanted to stay, to pretend that this was enough.

But I couldn’t.

I needed answers. And those answers weren’t in Nicholas’s arms.

I pulled on my clothes, my movements slow, deliberate. My thoughts were a tangled mess, conflicting emotions pulling me in different directions. Nicholas had done so much for me, protected me in ways no one else ever had. But there were still things he wasn’t telling me. I could feel it.

I had to know the truth.

Sebastian.

His name echoed in my mind like a warning, a shadow creeping into the corners of my thoughts. He held the answers I needed.

After scribbling a quick note, I placed it on the bedside table. My gaze lingered on Nicholas for a moment longer before I turned away.

And then, I walked out of the penthouse.

\---

The morning air was crisp, the city still half-asleep. I pulled my coat tighter around me and started walking, my heels clicking against the pavement. My destination wasn’t far, but every step felt heavier than the last.

Sebastian was dangerous. That much I knew. But he had information—about my past, about who I really was. And I couldn’t keep living in uncertainty.

I had barely taken a few steps when a black van screeched to a stop beside me.

My pulse spiked.

Before I could react, hands grabbed me from behind. Strong. Ruthless.

“What the—” My words were cut off as something was pressed over my mouth. A sickly-sweet scent filled my nose.

Chloroform.

No.

I thrashed, kicking, twisting—desperate to break free. My nails clawed at the hands holding me, but my strength was fading.

Everything blurred.

Darkness swallowed me whole.

\---

A dull ache throbbed at the back of my head.

I groaned, my eyelids fluttering open. My vision was hazy, shapes and shadows shifting around me. The cold bite of metal against my wrists told me I was restrained.

Where was I?

I forced myself to focus. The room was dimly lit, the walls bare concrete. A single metal chair sat in the corner, next to a table scattered with papers. A basement, maybe. Or a warehouse.

Panic tightened around my chest.

I tugged at the ropes binding my wrists, my pulse hammering. The knot was tight, digging into my skin. Whoever had done this knew what they were doing.

A door creaked open.

Footsteps echoed against the concrete floor. Slow. Measured.

I looked up, my breath catching as Sebastian stepped into view.

He smirked. “Sleeping beauty finally wakes up.”

I swallowed hard, keeping my expression blank. “What do you want?”

He tilted his head, amusement flashing in his dark eyes. “Straight to the point. I like that.”

I didn’t respond. My heart pounded against my ribs, but I refused to show fear.

Sebastian took a step closer. “You should’ve stayed in that penthouse, Adrianna. Running around looking for answers? Not a smart move.”

I clenched my jaw. “I’m not running. I came looking for you.”

He chuckled. “And look where that got you.”

I glared at him. “If you wanted me dead, you would’ve killed me already. So what’s your game?”

Sebastian crouched in front of me, resting his elbows on his knees. “You have no idea who you really are, do you?”

My breath hitched.

His smirk widened. “Thought so.”

I hated the way he looked at me, like he knew things I didn’t. Things I should’ve known.

“Tell me,” I demanded.

He sighed, shaking his head. “Patience, sweetheart. All in good time.”

I ground my teeth, frustration burning in my chest. “I’m done with your games, Sebastian.”

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Are you?”

The door swung open again.

Claire stepped inside, her expression unreadable.

I froze.

She met my gaze, something flickering behind her eyes. Then, without warning, she pulled a gun from her jacket and aimed it at Sebastian.

He barely flinched. “That’s cute.”

Claire’s grip tightened on the gun. “Move.”

Sebastian let out a low laugh. “And here I thought we were friends.”

“I don’t have time for this,” Claire snapped. She glanced at me. “Can you walk?”

I nodded, my throat dry.

Claire stepped closer, keeping the gun trained on Sebastian as she cut the ropes binding my wrists. My hands tingled as blood rushed back into them.

Sebastian sighed dramatically. “You’re making a mistake.”

Claire ignored him. “Let’s go.”

I didn’t hesitate.

The second my hands were free, I bolted. Claire followed close behind.

We made it to the door when Sebastian’s voice stopped me cold.

“You think you’re safe, Adrianna?” His tone was casual, but there was something dangerous beneath it.

I turned, my pulse racing.

He smirked. “You’ll come back. You always do.”

A chill ran down my spine.

Claire grabbed my arm. “Don’t listen to him.”

I forced my feet to move.

We rushed through the dimly lit hallways, every shadow feeling like a threat. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline surging through my veins.

We reached the exit. Claire yanked the door open, and the cold night air hit me like a slap.

I was free.

But Sebastian’s words stayed with me long after we were gone.

I would come back.

And I hated that he might be right.