Chapter 25 Chapter 25
The knock on the door made Savannah’s chest tighten. For a moment she thought her past had found her again. She stood frozen, her hand pressed against her belly, while Adrian stepped forward.
“Stay here,” he said firmly, his tone protective. He moved to the door and pulled it open.
A young man stood there, holding a pizza box, the smell of melted cheese floating into the room.
“Delivery,” the boy said cheerfully.
Savannah blinked. Adrian sighed in relief, then looked back at her with a faint smile. “Did you order this?”
Savannah shook her head quickly. “No… I don’t even eat pizza.”
The delivery boy looked confused. “This is room 14, right? A woman called in the order about an hour ago. Pepperoni, large.”
Adrian’s brows knit together. “Maybe they got the wrong room.” He glanced at Savannah. “Do you want it?”
Savannah hesitated, then shook her head again. “No… it must be for someone else.”
Adrian handed the box back to the boy. “Wrong order. Sorry.” The boy shrugged, turned, and walked away whistling. Adrian closed the door and locked it.
Savannah sat down slowly, her hands trembling. “For a moment… I thought it was Nathaniel’s people.”
Adrian sat beside her, his voice calm. “It wasn’t. You’re safe here. Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone touch you.”
His words made her chest ache. No one had ever said that to her. She lowered her eyes and whispered, “You sound so sure.”
“I am sure,” he said firmly. “I don’t break my words.”
Silence hung in the air, broken only by the hum of the fan. Savannah finally found her voice again. “Adrian… why are you being this way with me? You don’t even know me well. Yet you treat me like… like I matter.”
Adrian looked at her, his golden-brown eyes steady. “Because you do matter. To me. To the child you’re carrying. To this world. You’re stronger than you think, Savannah. You’ve survived things that would have destroyed others. That alone makes you important.”
Her throat tightened. She turned away, afraid he might see her tears again. “You talk like you believe in me more than I believe in myself.”
“I do,” he said softly.
The words sank deep into her heart. She had longed to hear something like that. Not from Nathaniel—he had only thrown insults. But from someone who saw her pain and still chose to stay.
They sat quietly for a long time. Then Savannah tried to lighten the mood. She gave a small laugh, wiping her face. “So… Mr. Adrian, you promised to tell me more about yourself. I only know you are rich and lonely. That’s not enough.”
Adrian smiled faintly. “Alright. You want to know the truth? I live outside the city, in a large house. It’s beautiful, but it’s empty. I lost my parents some years ago. No brothers, no sisters. Just me.”
Savannah’s lips parted. “I’m sorry… you must feel lonely.”
“I do sometimes,” Adrian admitted. “That’s why I throw myself into work. It keeps me busy. But when I saw you, struggling yet still standing, something inside me shifted. I couldn’t look away.”
Savannah’s eyes widened slightly, her heart beating faster. She whispered, “Why me?”
Adrian leaned back, his gaze never leaving hers. “Because you remind me of what strength really looks like. Not the kind that comes from money or power. But the kind that comes from survival.”
She lowered her eyes, unsure what to say. His words felt too heavy, too real. She clasped her hands together, trying to calm the storm in her chest.
The silence grew soft, almost warm, until Savannah yawned. Adrian noticed and stood. “You’re tired. You should rest.”
She looked up quickly. “No, wait. Please… stay a little longer. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
His eyes softened. “Alright. I’ll stay.”
He pulled the chair closer to her bed and sat down. She lay on her side, her hands on her belly, watching him quietly.
“Do you miss her?” Savannah asked suddenly.
“Who?” Adrian frowned.
“Your friend. The one you said I remind you of.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened. He looked out the window. “Yes. She was someone I wanted to protect. But I failed her. That’s why… I won’t fail you.”
Savannah’s heart ached at the sadness in his tone. She wanted to ask more, but she saw the shadow in his eyes and stopped herself. Instead, she whispered, “Thank you… Adrian.”
His gaze softened again as he looked back at her. “Sleep now. I’ll be here.”
Slowly, her eyes closed. The soft rhythm of her breathing filled the room. Adrian watched her for a long while, his thoughts heavy. He wondered what kind of man could throw away such a woman. A woman carrying his child. A woman who only wanted to love.
His hands clenched on his knees. Nathaniel’s face flashed in his mind, and anger burned quietly in his chest.
But when he looked back at Savannah, all he felt was a deep, protective warmth.
She stirred a little in her sleep, whispering faintly, “Don’t leave me.”
Adrian