CHAPTER 3 - RUNNING AWAY, LITTLE CANARY?

(Adeline’s POV)

A groan escaped my lips the moment I stirred awake, my head throbbing like I’d been hit by a freight train. Sunlight pierced through the curtains, stabbing at my eyes. I squeezed them shut, grimacing as I shifted my body—only to freeze.

Something was… off.

I blinked my eyes open, glancing down. My heart shot up to my throat.

“Holy… hell,” I whispered.

I was in a strange bed, clothed in nothing but an oversized t-shirt that clearly wasn’t mine.

No panties. No bra.

Just… bare skin underneath the soft fabric that smelled faintly of expensive cologne and something deeply masculine.

And then it hit me.

Flashes of last night’s recklessness played like a movie reel in my head—the loud music, the drinks, the wicked glint in Travis’s eyes, my daring words, his hands gripping my hips… the heated kisses… the way he whispered my name like it was a sin and a prayer.

“Oh my God,” I gasped, hands flying to my mouth as I sat up straight.

I had slept with Travis.

Juan’s sworn enemy, the man he practically forbid me to look at, the one person in the entire party I was supposed to stay away from—I’d not only flirted with him, but I had also thrown myself into his bed.

“Damn it!” I cursed, flopping back on the mattress, mortified.

After a few seconds of internal screaming, I forced myself to sit up again, only to realize I was alone.

I glanced around the room—empty. No sign of Travis. No messy dark hair, no lazy smirk, no brooding presence.

I felt a twinge of something sharp in my chest.

He left.

Maybe it was expected—perhaps it was normal—but that didn’t stop the sting.

He hadn’t even stuck around to… what? Cuddle? Say goodbye?

What the hell had I been expecting anyway? A romantic breakfast?

I huffed and swung my legs over the bed, wincing at the ache in my thighs—another bitter reminder of my recklessness. My phone sat on the nightstand, completely silent. I snatched it up, checking the time.

7:03 a.m.

No texts from Juan.

Thank God.

I quickly pulled on my dress, wrinkled and draped carelessly over the armrest of the sofa. I found my shoes near the bed, my purse thankfully untouched. Travis, at least, hadn’t tossed my belongings out the window. Small victories.

I crept downstairs, trying to keep my footsteps light.

The moment I reached the bottom floor, the heavy scent of the remnants of alcohol. The living room was a mess. Empty bottles, scattered clothes, bodies sprawled across couches and the floor—most of them shirtless or half-dressed, some entangled with the girls from last night.

I wrinkled my nose. Gross.

Slipping past them, I grabbed my phone tighter and hurried to the door. Every muscle in my body was tense, expecting to be caught, but no one stirred.

The front door creaked open, and I made my escape.

The morning air was crisp, but it did nothing to cool the burn on my cheeks. I flagged down a taxi, sliding into the back seat and rattling off my address.

As the driver pulled away from the villa, I stared out the window, biting my lip so hard it hurt.

“What the hell did you do, Adeline?” I muttered under my breath.

Juan was going to kill me. No, scratch that—he was going to murder both of us. Travis would probably end up with a black eye… or worse.

And me?

Well, I could already imagine the lecture, the punishment, the endless nagging about how I should have listened.

My fingers tightened around my purse. I didn’t even know why I felt this… hollow.

I should’ve been freaking out, scared out of my mind that my brother would find out. And I was. But underneath it all… I was disappointed.

I thought… Maybe Travis would still be there when I woke up. Maybe there’d be some awkward, funny banter or a smug grin or… something.

But no.

He was gone before sunrise, like it had been just another one-night stand for him.

“Ugh, you’re so stupid,” I muttered, pressing my forehead against the window.

By the time I got home, relief washed over me. Juan’s car wasn’t in the driveway.

The house was quiet. I tiptoed inside, kicking off my shoes and heading straight for the bathroom.

The hot water felt like salvation, washing off the smell of alcohol, sweat, and shame. I leaned against the cool tiles, letting the water pour over my hair as guilt churned in my stomach.

Once again, I curse myself for acting so crazy last night. My head feels like it's on fire every time I think about how I acted like a cheap whore in front of Travis.

Oh my God...

I'm completely messed up.

"Adie... Adie... Adie..." My lips trembled, "How are you going to live your life from now on?"

I was clean and dressed, and I collapsed onto my bed, dragging my phone into my hand.

Still no messages from Juan.

That had to mean one thing—he was just as wasted as everyone else at the villa, probably waking up in someone else’s bed.

My lips twitched humorlessly.

Fucking man.

Unlocking my phone, I sighed.

Adeline, who else were you waiting for, besides a message from Juan? Don’t act like some naïve little girl.

Don’t hope. Don’t be foolish.

A one-night stand was nothing special. Everyone did it.

I let out another heavy sigh and dropped my phone again.

Maybe it was better this way. Maybe it was just one stupid night for him, and Travis wouldn’t even bother reaching out.

Fine.

I could forget about it, bury it in the back of my head, and never bring it up again.

My phone vibrated.

A single notification popped up on my screen.

Travis: Running away, little canary?

My heart stalled in my chest, fingers tightening around the device.

I swallowed.

Oh no.

This wasn’t over.