Uncharted Territory

Chapter 15: Secrets Unveiled

Adrian had insisted on taking Clara home after the intense confrontation with Max at the office. He didn't leave her side, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive as they walked out of the building. Clara hadn't protested. After everything, her body felt heavy, her mind swirling with thoughts she couldn't quite organize. As much as she prided herself on her independence, she was grateful for Adrian's silent strength beside her.

The drive to her apartment was quiet, the weight of the day's events still hanging in the air between them. Adrian had barely spoken, his jaw clenched in frustration at what had transpired, but every so often, his hand would reach across to rest on Clara's, offering comfort in the simplest way.

When they arrived, he parked the car, his expression softening as he glanced at her. "Let's take the day off tomorrow," he said, not as a suggestion but a decision already made. "You need rest, Clara."

"I'm fine," she protested weakly, but the exhaustion in her voice betrayed her. She wasn't fine—not yet.

Adrian turned to her, his dark eyes filled with concern. "Please," he said quietly. "Just let me take care of you. No work, no stress. Just us."

Clara sighed and nodded, feeling the last of her resistance crumble. She couldn't pretend she didn't need the break—not after what had happened.

Once inside her apartment, Adrian immediately set to work making her comfortable. He ordered takeout, insisting she stay put on the couch as he arranged everything. His quiet care was grounding, and for the first time since the incident, Clara allowed herself to relax.

They ate in silence, and it wasn't until they'd both settled in, the night deepening around them, that Adrian finally broke the quiet.

"I need to ask you something," he said, his voice low but serious. "How do you know Max?"

Clara stiffened slightly, the mention of Max dragging her back to memories she had long buried. She hadn't wanted to think about him, especially not now, but the truth was unavoidable.

"I was in love with him once," Clara admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adrian's expression darkened instantly, his fists clenching, but he stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

"It was years ago," she said, her gaze distant as she recalled those painful memories. "Max was my best friend in high school. He was... everything to me back then. I thought I was in love with him, blindly. But I didn't know the truth—about him, about my sister."

She paused, swallowing hard as she forced the words out. "He was dating my sister behind my back. For two years. And I didn't know until... until last month."

The bitterness in her voice made Adrian's jaw tighten. He reached for her hand, holding it firmly, silently offering his support.

Clara glanced up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of pain and resolve. "It wasn't just about Max, though. My family—they never really cared about me. I was always the forgotten one, the one who had to work for everything. Since I was fifteen, I've been working and feeding myself, putting myself through school. My parents only ever cared about my sister. I wasn't treated like family."

Adrian's eyes darkened with anger at the thought of Clara being neglected and mistreated. "Clara..."

"I'm fine now," she interrupted, squeezing his hand. "I don't need them. I'm happy with what I have now. I've built my own life, and I'm proud of that. I don't need their validation."

The silence between them grew heavy for a moment, the weight of her story sinking in. Adrian was quiet, his expression unreadable as he processed everything she had said. But Clara could feel the tension in his body, the anger simmering beneath his calm exterior.