New Life
Selene’s POV
And of course, the Vales would’ve heard.
So I wasn’t surprised when I saw Adrian at the Knight Casino days later.
What did surprise me–was how worn down he looked.
He didn’t carry the glow of his past. Not even close.
I passed him without a second glance.
But as I walked past― He reached out. His hand closed gently around my wrist. “Selene.”
I ripped my arm back instantly. “Don’t touch me.”
His eyes flinched–like I’d struck him. A flicker of sadness passed through them. Surprise, too.
“Long time no see,” he murmured, his voice quieter than I remembered. “How have you been?”
I looked him in the eye, steady and unshaken.
How have I been? Better. Stronger. Finally free.
“I’m good,” I said simply, lifting a brow. “You?”
His jaw flexed. “All good. The Vale… they’re fine. Mr. and Mrs. Vale too.”
Then–silence. Thick, heavy. Full of everything we didn’t say.
Adrian broke it first. “I didn’t marry Elara in the end,” he said quietly, almost like it hurt to admit. “Thought you might want to know.”
I blinked. He didn’t marry her?
“I know the truth, Selene. It was you who saved me… not Elara. Back then, I didn’t know. I thought it was her. That’s why I wanted to repay her.”
I stared at him for a beat. Honestly? I didn’t care for his apology anymore.
