Chapter 28 : The Name in the Diary

*Lily*

Waking up in Adrian’s bed, I was immediately aware of his gaze upon me. My eyes fluttered open to meet his intense stare and a flush warmed my cheeks. For a fleeting second, I felt exposed and embarrassed, but his smile, soft and unexpected, eased the taut strings of my embarrassment.

"Good morning," he whispered, his voice a low murmur. His words were a gentle greeting, but they felt like a proclamation, solidifying the reality that I was here, in his bed.

"Good morning," I replied, my reply barely audible. I shifted closer to him, his arms encircling me with a protective warmth that made the world beyond his embrace seem inconsequential.

His fingers traced invisible patterns along my back, and I closed my eyes momentarily. "So...what now?" he asked, his voice carrying a weight that belied the simplicity of the question.

I opened my eyes and blinked at him, the question catching me off guard. "What now what?" I managed, my mind racing to catch up to the implications of h