Adrienne took a deep breath as she stepped into the police station lobby, her heart racing, but her mind firm. She wasn't here for closure or reconciliation-she was here for clarity, to face the questions that had haunted her since the day she discovered Jim's betrayal.

A stern-faced officer greeted her and led her down a corridor lined with buzzing lights and distant voices. They reached a small, plain visiting room with a table in the center. "Your visitor's here," the officer said as he called to Jim, who was seated, scribbling in a small notebook.

Jim's head snapped up at the mention of a visitor. He hadn't expected anyone, least of all her. He quickly tucked his notebook under the pillow on his bunk, as though hiding something personal, and followed the officer toward the visitation room. With each step, his heart thudded faster. He hadn't seen Adrienne in weeks, but when he finally entered the room and saw her sitting there-calm, poised, yet stern-it was as if time folded back on itself. She looked just as she had that first night, the night she saved him, the night he couldn't believe someone so beautiful and fierce could step into his life.

But Adrienne's face was stone-cold as she watched him approach. She sat back, arms crossed, eyes never leaving him, waiting for him to sit down. Jim swallowed, nerves taking over. When he sat down, all the words he'd rehearsed in his head suddenly spilled out in a nervous rush.

"A-Adrienne, oh my God... I know you probably don't want to hear anything from me, but please, please, just let me explain. I've been working on what to say, I've thought it all out, and-"

Adrienne held up a hand, her voice sharp but steady. "Shut up, Jim."

The words hit him like a punch, and he fell silent, taken aback. She leaned forward, her gaze fierce and unyielding.

"Let me tell you what you did," she said, her voice cutting through the air. "You broke into my home, my home, Jim. And when I confronted you-when I asked you about it, you looked me in the eye and lied to me. You acted like it was nothing, like I was nothing."

Jim's mouth opened, but he thought better of interrupting. Adrienne's expression hardened as she continued, laying out each transgression like weights on a scale.

"And then there was this chase. You running after me, calling, trying to 'explain' yourself every chance you got. Explain what, Jim? That you were tearing my life apart one lie at a time?" Her voice trembled for a brief moment, but she steadied herself. "Or was it about the drugs? Because the person I met back then-that guy I took a chance on-isn't the person I see now."

Jim ran a hand through his hair, struggling to gather his words. "Adrienne, please... I know I've changed. But I had my reasons. I did it all... I did it all for you."

"For me?" Adrienne scoffed, disbelief flickering in her eyes. "Breaking into my house was for me? Lying to my face, getting deeper into whatever mess you were in... you think any of that helped me?"

Jim shook his head, his frustration building. "I know it sounds messed up, but I didn't want you to see how bad things had gotten. I wanted to protect you from it-"

Adrienne cut him off, her voice filled with pain. "Protect me? You weren't protecting me, Jim. You were dragging me down with you. I trusted you, and you used that trust to cover up every mistake you made."

The weight of her words settled over the room, and for a moment, silence reigned. Jim's mind raced, searching for anything that could possibly make things right.

"I messed up," he said softly, looking down. "I know I did. But every decision I made was because I thought it would keep you from seeing me fall apart. I wanted to be better for you, Adrienne. But I... I just kept messing it all up."

Adrienne shook her head slowly, tears glistening in her eyes. "You don't get it, do you? You didn't have to be perfect. You just had to be honest. But I don't know if that version of you even exists anymore."

She stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the floor, the finality of her movement clear. Jim reached out instinctively, as if to stop her, but his hand hovered in midair, unsure and defeated.

Jim looked down, his voice low and rough. "Adrienne, that night when Mikey and I broke into those houses... I was so pissed, just boiling with anger. The way Grayson talked to me, how Jason and the others treated me... it felt like they thought they were better than me. I wanted them to pay, even if just a little, for making me feel worthless. And I know it was wrong. I know I'm an asshole for pulling you into it."

He swallowed, glancing up at her, his eyes pleading. "But I never wanted to hurt you, Adrienne. That's the last thing I'd ever try to do. Every single day I spent with you, it wasn't a lie. Not one second of it. I truly... I really..." His voice trailed off as he started to say the words, but Adrienne's eyes flashed with warning.

"Don't you dare say those words," she interrupted, her voice icy.

Jim fell silent, his face dropping, his fingers fidgeting restlessly on the table. Adrienne let out a long sigh, struggling to maintain her composure. She looked at him, trying to find the man she thought she knew, but all she saw was a mix of remorse and desperation.

"Listen, Jim," she said, softer now, though her tone remained firm. "I'm confused. I thought... maybe coming here, maybe hearing you out would help me understand everything, help me find some closure."

Jim nodded quickly. "Yes, Adrienne, and I hope it will. I'm begging you, just... I can't live without you. You're everything to me, and without you, I feel like I'll go mad or... worse."

She took a steadying breath, her patience running thin. "Jim, I'm not going to stay in a relationship with you or keep in contact just to stop you from doing something to yourself. I have my own life to deal with, my own struggles. You need to understand that."

Jim nodded slowly, biting back his frustration. "I get that. I do. But, Adrienne, I'm begging you, please forgive me. I know I messed everything up-lying to you, pushing you away, using drugs, stealing. It's all messed up. But I'm trying, Adrienne. I swear, I'm really trying."

"Trying?" she repeated, almost to herself. She looked away, shaking her head, conflicted. He reached out, his voice wavering with sincerity.

"I've been clean for two weeks now. Two weeks, Adrienne. I know it's not much, but it's a start, and I swear I'm really trying. I... I can't live without you. You're the one thing I have left that makes sense, that keeps me going."

Adrienne let out a weary sigh, a deep sadness settling in her eyes. "Jim, I feel like a complete fool for saying this, but... I just don't think I can start anything with you again. Right now, I can't even keep any kind of communication with you."

Jim's face fell, the glimmer of hope in his eyes flickering out.

Jim's voice trembled as he finally seemed to accept her words. "Adrian, I-I'm so sorry. I've been such an idiot, a complete fool. You're everything in my life, Adrian. I don't know how to do any of this without you. Right now... I need you more than ever." He paused, his eyes red-rimmed, pleading. "If I don't have you, I know I'll just end up more messed up, Adrian. I'm alone, and I need someone-no, I need you. Please. I swear I'd never hurt you, Adrian. I just... I need time to get myself together."

He looked down, rubbing his temples. "I'm not asking you to come every day or anything like that, but when I get out, I just... I need to know you're still there. You're the only person I think about, the only person I truly care about, Adrian. I love you so much, and if all those scribbles in my notebook aren't enough, I'll say it right here. And I don't care how many times you slap me across the face-I'll say it again, I love you."

Jim's voice cracked as he continued, desperation thickening every word. "The minute I get out, I don't care what restrictions your dad has on me. I'll show up at your house if I have to, even if it gets me back in jail, just so I can see you. Just please, Adrian, please don't leave me. You don't have to do anything, but don't forget about me. Just... don't leave me."

Adrienne felt hot tears slipping down her face as she took in his words. His own eyes were glassy, a single tear finally breaking free. But this wasn't the typical apology she'd heard before. This felt different-like a plea, a desperate call for help.

He looked like a lost kid, and she realized he wasn't just apologizing; he was begging her to be there, to not abandon him when he was at his lowest. She had every reason to stay angry, to turn her back on him for all he'd done. But as she looked at him, something inside her softened.

Her mother's words rang in her head, but they felt distant. She didn't know what to do except to listen to the one instinct she couldn't shake-the urge to comfort him. With a roll of her eyes, she muttered, "I hate you so much, Jim."

Before he could respond, she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce, unrelenting hug. He sank into her embrace, burying his face in her hair, and whispered hoarsely, "I missed you so much. I'm so sorry. I'm such an ass..."

Adrian pulled back just enough to look at him, wiping a tear from her cheek. "Say it again."

He blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"Say how much of an asshole you are," she said, a faint smirk breaking through her teary expression.

He let out a small, broken laugh. "I'm an asshole. A complete asshole."

A laugh bubbled up in her chest, breaking through the heaviness between them. "Keep going."

He grinned, playing along, and they both started laughing, repeating, "I'm an asshole!" until it felt like, for a moment, they could almost pretend everything was okay.
₊˚⊹⋆

In the beginning, Adrien's visits were tense. She'd show up with her arms crossed, sitting stiffly across from Jim, speaking in short, guarded sentences. She'd stare at her watch frequently, trying not to linger too long. But Jim kept his promise-he stayed sober, clean, and focused. Every time she returned, he was there, genuinely glad to see her, respecting her space and letting her set the pace.

Over the weeks, though, things began to shift. There was a quiet day when Adrien brought along a journal and sat across from Jim, watching as he scribbled in his own. She leaned forward, curiously peeking at what he was writing, and he playfully turned it away. She teased him until he relented, letting her read a few lines. They ended up laughing over his rambling notes, and before she realized it, she was lying back on him, her head on his shoulder as he absentmindedly jotted ideas down. She began offering suggestions, and he grinned, nodding along as she filled in details, sparking creativity between them.

Another visit, she surprised him by bringing takeout from a local spot they both loved. The guards gave her a knowing look but let her through. They huddled on the floor, eating together and reminiscing about the times they'd shared before. Between bites, they poked fun at each other's eating habits, laughing like they hadn't in ages.

On a quieter day, Adrien found herself arriving a bit earlier than usual, with no real plan in mind. She just wanted to be near him, even if they didn't say much. She watched as he flipped through his journal, sketching little figures on the edges of the pages. Eventually, she leaned against him, humming quietly while he drew. They fell into an easy silence, comfortable just being in each other's presence.

One evening, the guards gave her a rare chance-they slipped her a key, allowing her a few minutes alone with him in his cell. Adrien entered quietly, her heart racing as she approached him. Jim turned, surprise flashing across his face before he broke into a warm, genuine smile. She crossed the room quickly, wrapping her arms around him. Without hesitation, he hugged her tightly, burying his face in her hair. "I missed you," he murmured, voice thick with gratitude. They stood there, simply holding each other, feeling the weight of their shared history and the promise of something new.

And then, there were lighter days too, like the time she challenged him to a game of Xeno. They played for hours, laughter echoing off the walls as they traded mock insults and strategies. Jim pretended to be overly serious about winning, but Adrien beat him in the end, laughing as he exaggerated his defeat. The game ended with both of them sprawled on the floor, tired but content.

As the weeks went by, Adrien could feel herself growing lighter each time she left. Her heart no longer clenched as it once did, and she found herself looking forward to the visits, smiling at the thought of seeing Jim. Though it had taken time, she began to feel something close to normal around him, trusting him again as he continued to stay clean. And Jim, for his part, kept every word. He was committed, steadfast, and never once pushed her boundaries, focusing instead on their slow, steady healing.

By the end of the chapter, Adrien finally saw him not as the boy who had hurt her but as someone who had grown, changed, and fought to become better-for himself and for her. Their dynamic had shifted, evolving into something healthier, built on mutual respect, and a shared hope for what lay ahead.

Adrien had reached a turning point. She wanted to be honest with her parents about Jim, about what he meant to her, and how committed they were to building something real. She knew she didn't want to hide her relationship or keep it a secret-it was too important. So, during a quiet evening at home, she told her mom and Grayson everything. She explained that they'd both made mistakes, but Jim was working hard to change, and so was she. "I want you to meet him, for real this time," she said earnestly. "When he gets out, I'd like to bring him home for dinner. I don't want to sneak around anymore; I want you to see who he really is."

Her mom was cautious but respected Adrien's honesty, nodding slowly as she took it all in. Grayson, though hesitant, agreed as well, making it clear that he'd give Jim a fair chance but would be watching closely. Adrien understood-she didn't expect immediate acceptance, just a willingness to try. The relief of finally sharing everything with them lifted a weight off her shoulders.

At the same time, Adrien knew she had to address the tension between her and Grayson. Their disagreements over the years had often escalated into arguments, both of them too stubborn to back down. But this time, Adrien wanted to take the first step toward making peace. She approached him one afternoon and suggested a different approach. "Maybe we could have lunch, just the two of us?" she offered hesitantly. "I thought we could go out on your boat. It might be nice to... talk."

Grayson was caught off guard but agreed, a hint of surprise in his expression. That weekend, they set out on the water together, the breeze carrying away some of the usual tension between them. At first, the conversation was awkward, both of them struggling with where to begin. But as they relaxed into the easy rhythm of the boat's sway, Adrien found herself sharing more than she'd planned-her goals, her fears, even the reasons she felt so strongly about Jim. Grayson listened, more thoughtfully than she'd ever seen him.

As the afternoon wore on, they discovered surprising common ground. They bonded over their shared love for the ocean, their dedication to the people they cared about, and a shared stubborn streak that, while often clashing, they both recognized in each other. By the time they returned to shore, Adrien felt a shift-a new understanding and a quiet respect growing between them.

It wasn't perfect, but it was a start. For the first time, Adrien felt like she could see a future where her family and Jim weren't on opposite sides, but part of something unified. This time, she wouldn't have to choose.

𝚈𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚂 ... 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁

Adrien stepped out of the cozy coffee shop, a hint of warmth lingering in the air as she approached a waiting cab. Slipping inside, she took a moment to settle in before the driver glanced back, asking, "Where to?"

"Manhattan, please. 425 East 83rd Street," she replied, giving an address that had once meant so much to her and Jim. She sat back as the car pulled into traffic, her gaze drifting to the bustling cityscape outside the window. The years had brought a peaceful contentment that felt almost surreal. Life had smoothed itself out in a way she hadn't thought possible back when things were rocky and uncertain.

The driver's eyes met hers a few times through the rearview mirror. After a minute or two, he cleared his throat, hesitating before asking, "So, uh... are you single?"

Adrien blinked, taken slightly aback, but laughed softly. "No, actually-I'm engaged," she replied with a warm smile, feeling a quiet sense of pride as she said the words aloud.

The driver quickly nodded, apologizing, "Oh, sorry, ma'am."

She chuckled. "No, it's okay."

As they continued to drive, Adrien's thoughts wandered to how much her life had changed since those early, challenging years with Jim. When he'd finally gotten out, they'd promised to rebuild from a clean slate. This time, they agreed to focus on their own priorities instead of letting outside opinions sway them. Adrien prioritized her family, choosing to bring Jim closer to her world rather than keeping him at arm's length. She was more open and honest with him than ever before, and whenever something felt wrong or right, she made sure to tell him directly. It brought a new level of understanding between them, helping them grow together instead of drifting apart.

Her family, once skeptical, had come to truly care for Jim, respecting the changes he'd made and the effort he put into keeping his life on track. He'd left his old habits behind, and her parents had come to trust and even enjoy his company, inviting him to family barbecues, weekend getaways, and holiday dinners. A few weeks ago, Jim had proposed in a simple but heartfelt way, and they'd been overjoyed. They were planning their wedding for the summer after Adrien graduated from university.

She smiled to herself, knowing that they'd faced so much together to reach this moment. Life felt easier, smoother, and she couldn't help but feel that everything was finally in place.
......
Adrien walked with a lightness in her step, approaching the building with a sense of anticipation. As she looked up, her eyes landed on Jim's familiar figure just ahead, a warm smile tugging at her lips. But she slowed down, realizing he was talking to someone-a man whose stance and profile seemed oddly familiar.

As she neared them, the man turned, and recognition sparked in her eyes. "Pedro? Is that you?" she asked, surprise coloring her tone.

Pedro blinked, visibly taken aback. "Adrien?" His expression shifted, surprise mingling with a hint of something softer as he took her in. "Wow... Good to see you." There was an unmistakable admiration in his eyes, like he was seeing her for the first time all over again, perhaps taken by how much she'd grown, how radiant she looked.

She offered him a kind smile. "How have you been? It's been... what, years now?"

Pedro hesitated, offering a faint, half-hearted smile. "Yeah, years... I'm surviving," he answered with a shrug, though the strain in his voice was hard to miss. He looked like he'd been through some tough times, his once polished appearance now worn and frayed around the edges. There was an air of exhaustion about