Page 58 of Cruel Hero

My mind races, trying to understand this abrupt change.

“Whatever it is, we can figure it out together.” I take a cautious step toward her. “Just... don’t go. Not like this.”

She refuses to meet my gaze. “You don’t understand. I can’t... I have to leave. I’m sorry.”

I’m at a loss, torn between the desire to comfort her and the fear that if I push too hard, she’ll bolt.

“Then help me understand.”

Tiffany turns to face me, and the pain in her eyes leaves me breathless. Her lips tremble as she speaks, each word seeming to take a toll on her. “I can’t continue our relationship, Adrien.”

The world tilts on its axis and I feel like I’m falling through an endless void.

The woman I love, the one I thought I would spend the rest of my days with, is standing before me, telling me it’s over.

I search her face for any sign that this is a cruel joke, a nightmare from which I’ll soon wake. But all I see is raw pain etched into those familiar features that I’ve memorized over countless stolen moments and lazy mornings.

“Why?”

I wish I could take back the question as soon as it leaves my lips, a futile attempt to hold onto the last shreds of hope that this is all just a terrible misunderstanding.

But Tiffany’s expression remains resolute, her eyes—glassy, and I know the answer will shatter me.

Chapter 25

Tiffany

“Ican’t keep lying to myself and to you. This charade we’ve been living, pretending like everything is normal when it’s not—it’s tearing me apart.”

How naïve was I? Believing that we could be together when Adrien is a dangerous man involved in a world of crime and I’m… I don’t want to spend every day afraid for his safety, wondering if he’ll even come home. I thought I could handle it, that love would be enough to conquer all, but reality has a way of tearing down the most beautiful illusions.

I see the hurt in Adrien’s eyes and it breaks my heart to be the cause of it.

“I’m sorry,” I say, tears streaming down my cheeks. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

He steps closer, his hand reaching out but stopping just short of touching me. “Where? Where will you go?”

“I don’t know. I just... I need to get away, figure things out for myself.”

“This is your solution? Running away when things get tough.” His words sting and I struggle to keep my emotions in check.

“I can’t stay and keep hurting both of us.”

Adrien takes a step back as if my words have physically struck him. “So what? You’re giving up on us? On everything we’ve shared? You think you can escape from me and the world, but it won’t work, Tiffany. Even if you date men who are bland, safe, and uninspiring, unable to see you for who you really are. Because you crave more, don’t you? You yearn for excitement, risk, passion, and danger. And I am that for you, aren’t I? You can’t escape your own heart or your yearning to be loved unconditionally. Your perfect Prince Charming will never disappoint you as I will, but he will also never set your whole world on fire. I’ll never be your Prince Charming. But I could be your partner in crime. Your equal, protector, confidant, lover in the most twisted ways. Someone who will never leave you alone or let you settle for mediocrity. We can fight together, conquer together, and chase after our wildest dreams together. But first, you have to stay. You have to give us a chance.”

“You—” I grit my teeth, a fire blazing in my chest. “You’re an asshole.”

“Yeah? Tell me what else am I, love.”

After my parents’ passing when I was twelve, my uncle Dean took it upon himself to enroll me in etiquette lessons. From then on, he raised me to be the perfect lady—never making mistakes, always following the rules, and keeping quiet. Adrien, with his sharp edges, cutting words, and fiery eyes, is decidedly not a gentleman.

With him, I don’t feel like a proper lady. The need to tiptoe around and follow strict societal rules ingrained in me since childhood faded away. Instead, I feel like I’m standing at the edge of a precipice, ready to jump off into the unknown.

“You’re stubborn, irritating, manipulative, and absolutely infuriating,” I list off, my voice trembling with the intensity of my feelings. “You’re also a challenge, a puzzle I can’t seem to solve, a storm that I can’t outrun. But I’m afraid of what loving you might cost me, Adrien. And I’m terrified that it’s already too late to turn back.”

Adrien’s expression softens, and he closes the distance between us, his hand meeting my cheek.

“You won’t lose yourself. Not with me. You’re stronger than you think, Tiffany. And you’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out together—your fears, my past, everything. But running away isn’t the answer. You’ve been running your whole life, trying to fit into this mold your uncle created for you. But that’s not who you are. You’re not some fragile porcelain doll meant to be kept on a shelf. You’re fierce, passionate, and alive. And I see that in you, even if you don’t see it in yourself yet.”

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