Chapter 10: The Man Who Couldn’t Let Go
Adrian made one final, desperate move.
Two months after the lawsuit was filed, he showed up at my apartment building again. This time, he wasn’t shouting or begging. He looked defeated.
Security called up to ask if I wanted them to remove him.
I thought about it for a moment, then told them to let him up.
When I opened the door, Adrian stood there looking like a shadow of the confident man I once knew. His suit was wrinkled. His eyes were tired.
“Evelyn,” he said quietly. “Please. Just give me five minutes.”
I crossed my arms but didn’t close the door.
“Five minutes.”
He took a shaky breath.
“I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. And I know what I did to Rosa was wrong. I was scared. I was selfish. But I’m trying to make it right now. I’ll take responsibility for the baby. I’ll do whatever you want. Just… please stop destroying my life.”
I looked at him for a long moment.
Then I spoke.
“You’re not sorry for what you did, Adrian. You’re sorry that you got caught. You’re sorry that your perfect life is falling apart. And you’re only here because you think I can still save you.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but I continued.
“I don’t want to destroy you. I want you to face the consequences of your actions. There’s a difference.”
Adrian stared at me, something breaking in his expression.
“You really hate me that much?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“I don’t hate you. I just don’t respect you. And I will never let you hurt anyone else the way you tried to hurt Rosa.”
I stepped back and closed the door gently.
That was the last time I saw Adrian Cole in person.
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Two weeks later, his company officially terminated his employment. The merger fell through. His reputation in the industry was in ruins.
And I finally allowed myself to believe that it was truly over.
