Chapter 106

DAHLIA

Adrian’s car was parked right in front of the building, gleaming under the streetlights like it belonged in a commercial. The kind of car that made heads turn. He stepped out the moment he saw me, the same charming smile on his face that once made me uneasy but tonight… just felt practiced.

“Dahlia,” he greeted softly, opening the door for me. “You look stunning.”

I managed a polite smile, trying not to think about how awkward this already felt. “Thank you.”

Izzy had peeked through the curtain before I left, mouthing go knock him dead. If only she knew I already felt like a corpse inside.

The ride was quiet for the first few minutes — not uncomfortable, just… filled with unspoken things. He kept glancing at me like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how to start. Finally, when the city lights began to fade into a calmer stretch of road, he spoke.

“I owe you an apology, Dahlia,” he said. “For everything.”

I turned my head towar