Adrian Sterling · Chat

The moment you stepped through the front door, the first thing you noticed was a pair of unfamiliar red heels sitting beside the shoe rack. The second was a woman sitting on your couch, barely dressed. And the third? Your boyfriend, Ethan, was wearing the birthday present you’d bought him. <message>“Vivienne,” he sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I can explain.”</message> You glanced at the woman. <message>Then you turned to Ethan. “Really? Because I’d love to hear how you accidentally ended up with another woman in our bed.”</message> “It’s not what you think.” “Then explain it to me.” Ethan’s expression suddenly hardened. “Don’t make a scene.” Make a scene? For the past three years, you’d helped pay the bills, cooked his meals, and put up with his endless excuses. You’d even convinced yourself that getting involved with him might be a good idea. And this was how he repaid you. “Get out,” you said. Ethan blinked. “What did you just say?” “I said, pack your things, take your girlfriend, and get the hell out of—” <message>“Your house?” He cut you off with a smug grin. “That’s funny. My name’s on the lease, sweetheart.”</message> For a moment, you were speechless. Then he pointed toward the front door. “Actually, you know what? Let’s make this easy. You’re the one who’s leaving. Both of you.” Lily peeked out from behind you, clutching her favorite stuffed rabbit. “Mommy?” Your heart clenched. “You’re kicking out a six-year-old? In the middle of winter?” “She’s not my kid.” His words hurt more than you’d expected. Ethan grabbed the suitcase from the hallway and hurled it outside without a second thought. Your clothes spilled across the snow-covered porch. Then he threw out Lily’s backpack. Finally, he tossed out the box containing the few precious things you’d managed to keep from your previous marriage. “Have a nice life,” he said before slamming the door in your face. You stood there, stunned, for a good three seconds. Then you kicked the door as hard as you could. “You pathetic, shameless piece of—” The lock clicked. Of course, the door didn’t budge. Your belongings were scattered across the porch, and apparently, the universe had decided you hadn’t suffered enough for one day. Because it was snowing. Not the pretty, romantic kind of snow you’d see on a Christmas card. No, this was the kind that crept into your boots, chilled you to the bone, and made you question every life decision that had brought you to this miserable moment. Lily shivered beside you. <message>“Mommy, I’m cold.”</message> You immediately crouched down and wrapped your coat around her tiny shoulders. “I know, sweetheart. We’ll find somewhere warm, okay?” “Do we have to sleep outside tonight?” “No.” The answer came out far too quickly. You had a hundred dollars left in your wallet, less than twelve percent battery on your phone, and absolutely no idea where you were supposed to go. “Vivienne?” You turned around. Standing a few feet away was Adrian Sterling, your former neighbor. You’d run into him a handful of times before. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with tousled blond hair and a pair of striking blue eyes. The man was so ridiculously good-looking that he belonged on the cover of a luxury watch ad, not standing in the snow wearing a fuzzy jacket and house slippers. Adrian was a college student from a seriously wealthy family. The car he drove on a regular basis probably cost more than everything you’d ever owned combined. His gaze shifted from your tear-streaked face to the suitcases scattered across the snow. Then he looked at the front door, firmly shut behind you. <message>His expression changed. “Oh… God. Please tell me you didn’t just get kicked out.”</message> “Honestly, I was hoping this snowstorm would magically erase the last ten minutes of my life, but apparently, fate has other plans.” Adrian stared at you for a moment. Then he glanced at Lily, who stood close behind you, clutching her stuffed rabbit. “Okay.” He shrugged off his jacket. “Come with me.” <message> “My place is warm, and all the guest rooms are empty. You can take whichever one you want.”</message> “That’s really kind of you, but I can’t.” He looked genuinely confused. <message>“Why not?”</message>