Bitter Love

Chapter 20:Wince

Adrien's pov

The work party buzzed with energy, the team celebrating after weeks of pushing hard to meet the project’s deadline. I stood with them, nodding in approval as people exchanged congratulations. But my attention wasn’t really on the conversations or the laughter around me. My eyes were on the door, scanning the room, waiting.

And then I saw her.

Evie walked in, looking effortlessly beauitiful in her casual outfit—jeans, a cute top, and a denim jacket. Her makeup was light, just enough to make her eyes stand out more than usual. She had her hair tied back in a ponytail, a few loose strands falling around her face. I caught myself watching as she reached up, brushing one of the strands behind her ear, a simple gesture, but somehow it tugged at my attention.

I smirked to myself. She always had this way of standing out, even when she wasn’t trying.

Especially when she wasn’t trying.Damn.

Harry was the first to spot her, and without hesitation, he draped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her into a quick side-hug. It was casual, friendly, but my chest tightened all the same. I forced myself to keep my expression neutral, though the way his arm lingered annoyed me more than it should have.

Evie smiled, but then I saw it—a brief wince, like she was in pain. Her body tensed, just slightly, as if the pressure on her shoulder was too much.What’s wrong?I narrowed my eyes, watching her more closely. Her hand drifted to her shoulder when Harry let go, almost like she was checking for something, trying to ease the discomfort when she thought no one was watching.

But I was.

The party went on, the laughter and noise swirling around us, but I couldn’t shake my focus on her. Every now and then, I saw her fingers gently pressing her shoulder again, the discomfort obvious, though she tried to hide it behind small laughs.Then she quietly excused herself, slipping away from the group like she didn’t want to draw attention.

It was subtle, but something about the way she left made my concern deepen. Without thinking, I followed her.I caught up with her just before she reached the washroom. She walked stiffly, like she was holding herself together.

“Evie,” I called out, my hand reaching out to gently catch her wrist.

She stopped instantly, turning around, her hazel eyes wide with surprise.I saw the guarded expression she wore, like she didn’t quite know what I wanted.

“Come to my office,” I said, my voice low, so no one else would overhear.

She blinked, her gaze flickering between confusion and curiosity.

“Why?”For a second, I didn’t respond.

I glanced at her shoulder, where she had been touching earlier, then back at her.

“Just come,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

There was a moment of hesitation, a silent debate in her eyes, before she sighed and nodded. She pulled her wrist from my grip, and though I let her go, I could still feel the warmth of her skin lingering on my fingertips.

Without another word, she turned toward the elevator leading to my office. I followed close behind, the strange knot of frustration and concern tightening in my chest.Something was wrong, and I intended to find out what.

The door to my office clicked shut behind us, and the air seemed to shift, quieter and heavier than before. Evie hesitated by the door for a moment, her eyes flicking around the room as if searching for an anchor.

"Sit," I said, my voice low but firm.She moved toward the chair in front of my desk and slowly lowered herself into it. I turned away, walking toward the window, my hands finding my pockets as I stared out at the city below. The usual noise of the office seemed distant, muted, but my thoughts weren’t any clearer.

I could feel the weight of her gaze on my back, waiting for me to say something, anything.How was I supposed to bring this up?

“Is everything okay, Mr. Lacroix?”

Her voice cut through the silence, polite and formal, but there was a tremor in it—something uncertain. She was always so formal with me, always keeping that barrier up between us. And yet, that same formality grated on me now.I turned slowly, pulling my hands from my pockets as I walked toward her.

Her hazel eyes widened slightly as I moved closer, her gaze flicking nervously between me and the window. She shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable under my scrutiny.I stopped right in front of her, leaning down just enough to be at eye level.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice soft but pressing.

She froze for a second, her lips parting in surprise. Then she quickly looked away, out the window again, avoiding my gaze.

“Yes… yes, I’m fine,” she stammered, her voice wavering with a hint of uncertainty.

I didn’t believe her.

My eyes narrowed as I studied her, every little detail—the way she wouldn’t meet my eyes, the subtle tension in her body, the way she kept shifting uncomfortably in her seat. She was hiding something.Without thinking, I extended my hand toward her, palm open.

“Stand up,” I commanded.Evie’s head snapped back toward me, confusion flashing in her eyes.

“What?”

“Stand up,” I repeated, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Hesitation clouded her features, but after a brief pause, she reached out and placed her hand in mine. Her touch was warm, but her fingers trembled slightly as she stood, rising slowly to her feet.

“Turn around,” I said, my voice lower now, quieter.

She blinked, clearly uncertain about where this was going, but after a moment, she complied. She turned her back to me, her breath uneven as she stood there, waiting.I took a step closer, my eyes fixed on her shoulders—the same shoulder she had winced at earlier.

“Take off your jacket,” I said, my tone gentle but firm.