CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THREE: OPENED UP

As Adrian’s words washed over her, Tiana felt a tumultuous storm of emotions raging within her. Confusion, anger, and hurt warred for dominance as she struggled to make sense of the situation unfolding before her. “Adrian,” Tiana began, her voice trembling with a potent mix of disbelief and betrayal. “I don’t understand… how could this happen? How could you not remember?” Adrian’s response was a pained sigh, his own voice tinged with frustration and regret. “I wish I knew, Tiana,” he confessed, his words heavy with remorse. “I’ve been wracking my brain trying to piece together what happened, but it’s like trying to grasp at shadows. Everything is hazy, fragmented… and waking up next to Penny, it’s like a nightmare I can’t escape.” Tiana’s heart ached at the anguish in Adrian’s voice, torn between the desire to believe him and the overwhelming sense of betrayal that gnawed at her soul. She wanted to trust him, to believe that he would never intentionally hurt her… but how could sh