And I remembered.
The office. The door clicking shut. The lies. The way he touched me and made it sound like it was all my fault.
“Holy shit,” I whispered. “It’s you.”
Greyson turned sharply. “What?”
Adrian gave a slight shrug. “I was wondering if she’d remember.”
“You were my professor,” I said, voice shaking. “Youassaulted me.”
Greyson froze. He didn’t speak. He didn’t move.
Adrian’s eyes gleamed. “That was years ago.”
“You assaulted me,” I said, louder now. “In your office. You locked the door. You put your hands on me. You told me no one would believe me.”
Greyson’s whole body went rigid beside me.
Adrian gave a slight smirk. “Still clinging to that story, huh?”. You never said no. And we both know how dramatic you can be, Blair. Don’t act like you didn’t want it.”
“I dropped out because of you,” I snapped. “I couldn’t even finish my degree. And after I left, I heard rumors, other girls. I wasn’t the only one, was I?”
His silence was answer enough.
“You’re disgusting,” I spat. “And if you don’t leave this town, I will press charges. I’ll talk to every woman you hurt, and I’ll make sure your name is dragged through every headline from here to the university you used to teach at.”
Adrian’s smirk faltered.
“I’m not scared of you anymore,” I said, my voice stronger now, louder. “And if you ever come near me again, I will ruin you. You are nothing, Adrian Wells, NOTHING!”
Greyson lunged.
“Greyson, no!” I grabbed his arm with both hands, pulling him back as hard as I could. “He’s not worth it!”
Greyson was shaking. His jaw clenched so tight I thought it might crack. “You touch her again, hell, if youbreathein her direction again, I swear to God, Adrian. ”
Adrian backed off, hands up. “Relax. I’m leaving soon.”
“You were never my brother,” Greyson spat. “And you never will be.”
Adrian smirked, then walked away like nothing had happened. Heading into the shadows like he hadn’t just been exposed for who he really was.
The second he was gone, I collapsed against Greyson, the weight of it all hitting me at once. He wrapped his arms around me. “I had no idea. Blair, I’m so sorry.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I know you didn’t. I just… I didn’t expect to ever see him again.”
Greyson rested his chin on my head. “You’re safe with me. Always.”
And in that moment, even though the past had just shattered a fresh piece of me, I clung to the only thing that felt solid, his arms, his voice, and the truth we now carried together.
Chapter 22
Blair
That night, I couldn’t sleep.
I kept replaying the way Greyson had looked after running into Adrian. Tense. Quiet. Angry in a way I’d never seen before.
