Bewildered, I stared into Hadrian’s eyes, praying that those three words weren’t a cruel trick of my imagination. They felt real, yet the confusion clouding my mind refused to dissipate. He held my gaze, unflinching, his expression resolute, his demeanor steadfast. Confidence radiated from him, but my mind screamed at me not to fall again. I couldn’t afford to be swayed so easily. Turning my face away, I tried to escape his hold over me, but his hand was swift. He caught my chin and ...