Falling for the Goddess

No Need to Hold Back When You're Wronged

Adrian Blake's voice broke the silence, prompting Sara Hart to take a few quick steps forward and open the passenger door before sliding inside.

In the nearby car, Eric Thorne glanced at Noah Ashford. "Adrian's private matters are his own. Why provoke him with those questions?"

Noah Ashford shrugged, his lips curling into a faint, casual smile. "Just looking out for him - don't want him getting caught up with the wrong kind of person."

Eric Thorne's expression darkened. "Seems like you don't think much of Miss Hart."

He stated it as a fact.

Noah Ashford didn't deny it. "Who knows her intentions? She's not the first woman to approach Adrian, but he's not equipped to handle messy feelings."

Eric Thorne recalled something Madame Blake had once said, his opinion of Sara Hart decidedly less critical. "Best to let Adrian handle this in his own way."

Noah Ashford lifted a hand in surrender. "Alright, I'll keep out of it."

"Let's head back."

**

Adrian Blake's car had already pulled far away from the estate.

Inside, Adrian Blake kept his eyes on the road, one hand resting on the wheel, his expression stern and unreadable.

Sara Hart could tell he was displeased. She hadn't expected to run into him at the event and felt compelled to explain.

"Today was the day Sam officially took over his family's clinic," she began. "He invited me, and I didn't know you'd be there too."

Adrian Blake remained silent.

"I didn't want to reveal our connection to others without your consent, so I didn't greet you," she added carefully.

Adrian Blake's eyes flickered, his expression darkening further.

Sara Hart had noticed their relationship becoming easier recently and didn't want to strain it. "Are you angry?"

Though she couldn't pinpoint what had upset him, she sensed his irritation directed at her.

Adrian Blake froze, momentarily caught off guard. Why would he be angry? He had always been able to manage his emotions - this wasn't like him.

Glancing at her, he took in her appearance: she looked different tonight, elegant and polished. Her pearl earrings caught the light as they swung gently, stirring something within him.

"No." He replied calmly. He shouldn't be angry - he had no reason to be.

Sara Hart pressed her lips together, her mind racing back to a post she'd read in Ella Duvall's guide on fostering relationship communication. She knew she needed to resolve any tension instead of letting things fester.

She turned over what might have caused his reaction for the rest of the drive home. Could it be the event, her presence, or her connection to Sam Lewis?

When they finally reached their home, Adrian Blake stepped out without a word. Sara Hart hurried after him.

Adrian Blake abruptly stopped as they walked across the lawn, and she accidentally bumped into his back.

He turned around, his voice softened. "You okay?"

Holding her nose, she nodded.

He felt a gentle tug on his sleeve as he was about to continue.

He looked down to see her small, pale hand gripping the fabric.

"Can I explain a few things?" Sara Hart asked, her voice warm and soft.

"Sam is my friend, and we met through my mentor. We've shared a few meals, and he's helped me with a few things, but I didn't know he was part of the Lewis family until recently."

"I was at the event to congratulate him, and I got him a small gift. Ella came with me to pick it out."

"And that girl at the banquet... she was an old classmate who's always had some grudge against me, and tonight, I finally lost my patience with her. I know it wasn't the right thing to do, but I just... couldn't take it."

As he listened, Adrian Blake was reminded of the scene from earlier: Sara Hart standing firm, her aura fierce and unyielding - a stark contrast to her usual gentleness.

Sara Hart seemed to sense his distraction. She continued, recounting every detail from the moment she'd prepared for the banquet, the styling session with Ella Duvall, and the final farewell with Sam Lewis before running into Adrian Blake and his friends.

Nervously, she held up the small sachet bag in her hand. "This is from Sam - he thought it might help with sleep."

Adrian Blake's dark eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze resting on the small bag. "So the previous sachets were also from him?"

She nodded.

With everything out in the open, Sara Hart bit her lip, her clear eyes meeting his. She'd laid everything bare, explaining as much as she could, hoping he would understand.

Adrian Blake looked into her earnest eyes, feeling the tension that had weighed on him all evening finally dissolve.

He had never seen her talk so much and so fast. Silently, he reached for the sachet in her hand, his tone calm yet deliberate. "Next time, don't hold back when someone tries to push you around."

With that, he turned and strode toward the house.

The lights on the lawn illuminated Adrian Blake, casting his long shadow across the ground, reaching all the way to Sara Hart's feet.

Realizing what he meant, Sara Hart's lips curved into a small smile. Ella Duvall's advice had actually worked.

Inside, Sara Hart headed straight to the kitchen, gulping two glasses of water. She was incredibly thirsty.

Adrian Blake watched her with a barely concealed smile.

Her stomach growled, breaking the quiet. She flushed with embarrassment.

"Didn't eat enough at the party?" Adrian Blake asked, sounding almost amused.

Sara Hart nodded. She'd only had a few sweets with Ella Duvall and hadn't eaten anything at the banquet.

Adrian Blake entered the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took out fresh ingredients.

Watching him prepare food, Sara Hart felt an unexpected sense of warmth and gratitude.

He worked quickly, and in no time, an avocado toast was ready, the fragrant aroma wafting through the air.

Adrian Blake set the bowl down at the table. "It's late, so just have something light."

Sara Hart glanced at the single bowl and chopsticks on the table. "You're not eating?"

Adrian Blake's voice held a hint of teasing. "I'm not hungry."

Blushing, she sat down and began eating, savoring each bite. The over-easy egg was tangy, and the avocado was rich and flavorful, blending into a perfectly comforting meal.

Adrian Blake headed upstairs, leaving her to enjoy her toast alone.

Back in his room, he opened his bedside drawer, taking out the previous sachet from Sara Hart and placing it along with tonight's new one at the bottom of the drawer.