Entitled

Chapter 114*

Adrian's eyes widened in surprise as he stepped aside, allowing you to enter his apartment. The space was dimly lit, and there was a sense of tension in the air, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath. He watched you carefully as you walked inside, his gaze lingering on you with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"I wasn't expecting you," he admitted, his voice a bit unsteady as he closed the door behind you. "After everything that happened... I didn't think you'd want to see me."

You turned to face him, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in your chest. "I didn't know Severus had come to see you until after the fact," you said softly, the words tumbling out before you could fully gather your thoughts. "I'm sorry... if he was... unpleasant."

Adrian's expression hardened slightly, a shadow of frustration crossing his features. "Unpleasant?" he repeated, a bitter edge to his voice. "Violet, he threatened me. It was more than just unpleasant—it was a warning. A warning to stay away from you."

You shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of his words. "Maybe you shouldn't persistently send letters to married women," you replied, trying to keep your tone light, though the tension was clear. "You can't do stuff like that, Adrian. It puts us both in a difficult position."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he took a step closer to you. "I only wrote because I was worried about you, Violet. You disappeared after everything that happened at the Ministry, and I didn't know if you were safe. I didn't mean to cause any trouble—I just needed to know you were okay."

"I understand," you said quietly, feeling a pang of guilt. "But things are complicated now. I'm married, and... well, Severus doesn't take kindly to people interfering."

Adrian nodded, though his eyes were filled with a mix of emotions—relief at seeing you, frustration at the situation, and something else that you couldn't quite place. "Why did you come, Violet?" he asked, his voice softer now, the earlier edge gone. "If things are so complicated, why are you here?"

You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself as you prepared to explain. "I came because... I need your help, Adrian. There's something I need to do, and I can't do it alone. Your connections in the Ministry—they could be invaluable. I need someone who knows the ins and outs, someone who can guide me through the maze."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, and for a moment, he simply stared at you, as if trying to process what you were saying. "You're asking for my help?" he finally said, his tone incredulous. "After everything that's happened? After Severus—"

"Yes," you interrupted, your voice firm but pleading. "I know it's complicated, and I know it might seem... strange, given everything. But this isn't about us, or about Severus. This is about something bigger. I need someone I can trust, someone who knows the Ministry, and... I trust you, Adrian."

His expression softened, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly as he took in your words. "You trust me," he repeated, almost as if testing the words on his tongue. "Even after all of this, you trust me."

"I do," you replied, your voice steady. "And I need your help. Will you do this with me? Will you help me navigate this?"

Adrian's expression hardened, the vulnerability in his eyes replaced by a steely resolve. "I'm done being used by you, Violet," he said, his voice edged with bitterness. "You've played with my feelings for too long, manipulating me to get what you want. It's not fair. It's not right. How you ended things between us... it was wrong."

You felt a pang of guilt, knowing that his words held a painful truth. "I'm sorry," you whispered, your voice heavy with regret. "I never meant to hurt you, Adrian. But... you're just not him."