Bitter Love

Chapter 29 :Cold

Evie’s POV

The morning light streamed through my window, casting a warm glow across my room. I stretched, feeling the remnants of last night’s warmth linger in my chest.

Adrien had taken me home.

Not just dropped me off—he had been gentle. Careful. He had called me Freckles, and for a moment, it felt like something had shifted between us.

I smiled to myself, biting my lip as I recalled the way he had looked at me before I stepped inside my building. That small, lazy smile. The way his voice had dipped when he told me to sleep well.

It was ridiculous, really, how something so simple could affect me so much.

But I let myself have it. Just for a little while.

By the time I arrived at the office, I was practically glowing.

I stepped into my department, a lightness in my step. My fingers tightened around the report I had spent the morning finalizing, and I barely resisted the urge to check my reflection in the glass walls as I approached Adrien’s office.

Get a grip, Evie.

I knocked twice before pushing the door open.

He was behind his desk, focused on his laptop, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Good morning," I said, my voice softer than I intended.

Nothing.

I hesitated, my grip tightening around the folder. Maybe he didn’t hear me?

“I finished the report,” I tried again, stepping closer, willing him to look at me, to acknowledge me, to give me even the smallest trace of last night’s warmth.

Still nothing.

No glance. No flicker of recognition. Just the sharp click of his pen against the desk, his fingers tapping a slow, methodical rhythm.

And then—

"Leave it."

The words were curt. Cold.

I blinked. Oh.

My stomach twisted, something sharp digging beneath my ribs.

I placed the report on his desk carefully, as if handling something fragile—except the only thing breaking here was my own stupid expectation.

“Oh. Okay.”

I stood there a second too long, waiting. Waiting for what? A glance? A flicker of hesitation?

And for a second—just one—he almost did. His fingers stilled against the desk, his jaw tensed, as if he could feel my stare. As if he was aware of me.

But just as quickly, it was gone.

"Close the door behind you."

It was dismissive. Detached.

Like I was nothing more than another employee.

Like last night had never even happened.

I did as he asked, but the moment the door clicked shut, a tight, aching pressure formed in my chest.

I shouldn’t be surprised. I knew what kind of man Adrien Lacroix was.

But last night had felt different.

Apparently, I was wrong.

So wrong.

I should have expected it. I did expect it.

Adrien Lacroix wasn’t the kind of man to let his guard slip for long. Whatever that was last night—the gentle words, the warmth in his gaze—it had been nothing.

Nothing but a moment.

And now it was gone.

I sat stiffly at my desk, the report long since delivered, but my mind still stuck in that damn office. Leave it. Close the door behind you.

I exhaled sharply, flipping through emails I wasn’t really reading. The words blurred together, my irritation bubbling just beneath the surface. I hated this feeling. This ridiculous, pathetic disappointment.

A hand suddenly landed on my desk with a loud thud, making me jump.

"Alright, spill."

I looked up to find Sasha staring at me, arms crossed, head tilted like she had already figured me out.

"Spill what?" I asked, trying to play dumb.

She rolled her eyes. “Please. You came in looking like sunshine this morning, and now you look like you’re about to set something on fire. And knowing you? It’s probably someone.”

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “It’s nothing, Sash."

“Liar.” She smirked. “But whatever. I’ll get it out of you later.”

Before I could protest, she clapped her hands together. “Anyway! We’re going out for drinks after work, and you”—she pointed at me dramatically—“are coming.”

I hesitated. “I don’t know, I was thinking of just—”

“Nope.” She cut me off. “No excuses. You are coming. I don’t care if I have to drag you there myself.”

I pressed my lips together, debating.

Then I remembered how Adrien hadn’t even looked at me today.

How easily he had gone back to being cold, like last night hadn’t even happened.

Fine. If he could pretend it didn’t matter, so could I.

I forced a small smile. “Alright, I’m in.”

Sasha grinned. “That’s my girl. We’ll head out right after work.Meet me at my place."

She winked before walking off, leaving me shaking my head.

Good.

That gave me just enough time to remind myself that I didn’t care.

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