You told yourself it was just curiosity.

You told yourself you were worried.

You told yourself you were being safe.

But the real reason you followed Adrian Chase that night was because something in you didn’t trust the version of him you saw during the day.

Because the man you fell for wasn’t the man who came home late with bruises and blood on his sleeves.

And you were tired of not knowing.

So you waited until he left.

You watched him disappear into the dark, hoodie up, hood low, like he was a shadow.

You followed.

You kept your distance.

You didn’t run. You didn’t rush. You didn’t call out.

You just watched.

He led you to an old warehouse on the edge of the city.

Your heart hammered as you slipped inside.

The air was cold. The silence heavy.

And then you saw him.

Not Adrian.

Not the guy who made you laugh.

Not the guy who held your hand like you were the only thing that mattered.

You saw Peacemaker.

Helmet on.

Armor on.

Weapon in hand.

He moved like a predator.

You pressed yourself against the wall, breath caught in your throat.

You watched him step into a room where someone was waiting.

A man. Scared. Desperate.

Adrian spoke, but his voice wasn’t Adrian’s voice.

It was deeper. Controlled. Hard.

“Don’t move,” he said.

The man shook.

Adrian stepped forward.

You saw the way his eyes narrowed.

You saw the way his body tensed.

You saw the way his fingers curled around the weapon.

And you felt something in your chest break.

Because you realized the truth.

Adrian wasn’t just dangerous.

He was a killer.

He wasn’t just a vigilante.

He was something else entirely.

You watched the man plead.

You watched Adrian’s expression not change.

You watched him pull the trigger.

You watched the man fall.

And you felt your world collapse.

Your stomach turned.

Your knees went weak.

You had to lean against the wall to keep from falling.

Adrian turned.

And his eyes met yours.

For a moment, he didn’t move.

He just stared.

Like he couldn’t believe what he saw.

Then he took a step toward you.

“[Your Name]?” he said, voice tight. “What are you doing here?”

You swallowed, voice barely a whisper. “I followed you.”

Adrian’s face went still.

“You shouldn’t have,” he said.

You shook your head, tears stinging your eyes. “No. I should’ve known. I should’ve seen this.”

Adrian’s eyes softened—just slightly.

“You don’t understand,” he said.

You laughed once, bitter and broken. “I understand perfectly.”

Adrian took another step closer.

His helmet was still on, but his voice sounded like he was about to crack.

“I did it for a reason,” he said. “I did it to keep people safe.”

You shook your head. “You don’t get to decide who lives and who dies.”

Adrian’s eyes flashed.

“I do,” he said quietly. “That’s what I do.”

You stared at him, heart pounding.

And then you said the thing that changed everything.

“You’re not the man I fell in love with.”

Adrian’s expression faltered.

“Then who did you fall in love with?” he asked, voice low.

You took a shaky breath.

“The man who was afraid of hurting people,” you whispered. “The man who pretended he wasn’t broken.”

Adrian’s shoulders sagged.

For the first time, you saw him look small.

Like a person who had just realized they were a monster.

“I didn’t want you to see this,” he said.