Stolen love: In love with my sister 's fiance-Chapter 22: you deserve better

Elaine ran as fast as she could, her vision blurred by the tears threatening to spill. She didn't know where she was going—she just needed to be anywhere but there. Away from the cheers, the flashing cameras, the sight of them.

By the time she reached the college garden, her breath came in ragged gasps. The ache in her chest was unbearable, a weight pressing down on her ribs. She wanted to scream, to let it all out, but all she could do was clutch her arms tightly around herself, trying to hold everything in.

Her knees wobbled, and she felt herself sinking—but before she could hit the ground, a pair of strong arms caught her.

He didn't say anything, just pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms securely around her. His broad shoulders shielded her from the world, giving her a space where she could fall apart in peace.

That was all it took. The dam broke.

Elaine buried her face against him, gripping the fabric of his shirt as sobs wracked her body. Adrian held her tighter, his warmth steadying her as she cried, shielding her from any prying eyes.

People passing by glanced at them, their whispers carrying through the garden.

"Isn't that Adrian and Elaine?"

"They look like a couple."

"He must be comforting her... how sweet."

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Their height made them stand out even more, the striking contrast between Adrian's protective embrace and Elaine's trembling form drawing attention. But neither of them noticed—at this moment, the world around them didn't exist.

Elaine didn't care if anyone saw her like this. Right now, she just needed someone to hold her together.

And Adrian, without hesitation, was that person.

Elaine's sobs eventually died down into sniffles and quiet hiccups. Her body felt exhausted from crying, and she clung to Adrian's warmth for a moment longer before finally stepping back, wiping her damp cheeks with trembling fingers.

Adrian didn't say a word. Instead, he gently led her to a nearby bench, his grip firm yet careful, as if she might break at any moment.

Once seated, he pulled out a water bottle from his bag and handed it to her. "Drink," he said softly.

Elaine took it with shaky hands, unscrewing the cap and taking slow sips, the cool water soothing her raw throat.

Adrian sat beside her, watching her closely, his dark eyes filled with something she couldn't quite place—concern, frustration, maybe even a bit of anger.

After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.

"Look at yourself, Elaine," he said, his voice low but firm. "What did you do to yourself?"

Elaine glanced down at her lap, her fingers twisting around the water bottle.

Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Why are you doing this to yourself?" His tone held disappointment, but not the cruel kind—this was the disappointment of someone who cared. Someone who hated seeing her in pain.

Elaine swallowed hard, still unable to meet his gaze. "I'm not doing anything," she murmured, but even she knew it sounded weak.

Adrian scoffed. "Really? Running away, crying your eyes out, torturing yourself over someone who doesn't even see what he's doing to you?" He shook his head, his jaw clenching. "Elaine, you're better than this."

She bit her lip, emotions swirling inside her, but for the first time, she didn't have a response. Because deep down, she knew he was right.

Adrian exhaled sharply, his frustration evident, but his voice was gentler this time. He reached out, placing a hand on Elaine's shoulder, forcing her to look at him.

"Don't do this to yourself, Elaine," he said, his tone firm but filled with concern. "The world isn't over just because of him. You have a whole life ahead of you. Don't waste it breaking over someone who doesn't even see you the way you see him."

Elaine clenched the water bottle in her hands, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"You deserve better," Adrian continued, his voice softer now. "You deserve someone who loves you like you matter—someone who sees you, chooses you. Not someone who you have to keep chasing, someone who doesn't even realize what they have in front of them."

Elaine swallowed hard, his words striking deep. A painful lump formed in her throat. She wanted to argue, to deny it, but the truth was laid bare in Adrian's words.

He sighed, shaking his head. "Stop giving so much of yourself to people who don't even know your worth."

Elaine looked down, blinking away the tears threatening to fall again. She didn't know if she could believe his words just yet, but something inside her wanted to.

Adrian cupped Elaine's face gently, tilting her chin so she would meet his gaze. His thumb brushed over the lingering tears on her cheek, his touch featherlight.

"Your poor eyes," he murmured, his brows furrowing with concern as he wiped her face gently. "Crying over someone who doesn't see you."

Elaine didn't pull away. Maybe she was too exhausted, or maybe, just maybe, she found a strange comfort in Adrian's touch.

Meanwhile, Alexander walked towards the garden, his phone pressed to his ear as he prepared to take a call. But the moment his eyes landed on the scene before him, he froze.

Elaine was sitting on a bench with him.

Alexander's grip on his phone tightened as he watched Adrian wipe her face with a tenderness that made something inside him twist painfully. The way Adrian looked at Elaine, as if she was fragile, precious—his to protect—it was a sight Alexander never expected to see.

Elaine didn't flinch or push Adrian away. She let him touch her, let him care for her.

Alexander felt a sharp pang in his chest. He couldn't breathe.

Then Olivia's voice cut through his trance like a blade.

"I have to say, my sister sure knows how to pick a handsome one," she mused, standing beside him with a smirk. "I have to give it to her—they do look good together."

Alexander's stomach dropped.

His throat went dry as Olivia added, "I even heard they might be dating."

Something inside Alexander snapped.

Elaine had a boyfriend?

And he didn't even know?

His mind went blank. His soul felt like it had just left his body.