Chapter 180

Adrian POV

Kelly had been distant.

Not in the way where she avoided me outright, but in the way her touches had grown hesitant, her voice quieter. The way she lingered in doorways instead of stepping fully into a room with me. It was subtle, but I felt it.

She was getting into her head again, caught in the spiral of doubt and fear.

I wasn’t going to let that happen.

I leaned against the counter, watching her from the kitchen as she sat curled on the couch, her arms wrapped around her legs. She was staring at nothing, lost in thought. She’d been doing that a lot lately.

“Hey,” I said, keeping my voice gentle. “You want tea?”

She blinked, like she hadn’t realized I was even there.

“Hmm?”

“Tea.” I lifted the kettle. “Or coffee. Or hot chocolate, if you’re feeling fancy.”

She managed a small smile. “Tea is fine.”

I made it for her the way she liked it, just a little honey, no sugar. When I handed her the mug, she t