The neon sign of the police precinct buzzes overhead, casting a harsh, sickly glow across the damp pavement. Adam walks through the heavy glass doors, his leather jacket slung over one shoulder. His left eye is swelling, his knuckles are split and crusted with dried blood, and his usually stoic expression is twisted into something resembling deep embarrassment.

"You didn't have to come so fast," he mutters, refusing to meet my eyes as we walk toward my car.

"You went after Tyler," I say, the realization hitting me so hard it steals my breath. "Adam, you went to his house."

He stops at the passenger side door, resting his forearms on the roof of the car. "Don't flatter yourself, Megan. I got drunk, I was angry about work, and I wanted to hit somebody. You just conveniently gave me a target that deserved it."

It is a lie. A brutal, transparent lie. But the coldness in his dark brown eyes dares me to challenge it. We drive back in total silence. The dynamic between us has violently shifted. I realize that while he looked detached last night, he absorbed every single word I said. But instead of bringing us closer, the incident builds an insurmountable wall.

Days pass. The late-night texts stop entirely. He doesn't show up at my door. When I text to check on his injuries, I get one-word replies. I assume he regrets letting our casual arrangement get messy. My heart, already fragile, begins to harden.

Then, the messages start. First, it's an apologetic email from Tyler. Then, texts from spoofed numbers. The fear I thought I had escaped begins to creep back in, tightening around my throat. Desperate and terrified, I call Adam. He answers on the third ring, his voice guarded. I tell him about Tyler's messages, hoping for the protective heat I saw the night he was arrested.

Instead, his response is pure, chilling ice. "Do not meet him alone, Megan. Lock your doors."

Then, he hangs up. He disappears entirely, leaving me to face the ghost of my past completely on my own.

Why is he pushing her away when she needs him most?! 😭 Is Adam really just a casual fling, or is he terrified of his own feelings? Drop a 💔 if you want Adam to step up, and let us know what you think of his cold shoulder in the comments! 👇