“Deviana… I’ll stay here. Even if it’s all night.”

Adrian’s voice was hoarse, trembling in the cold night air. He leaned against the studio’s outer wall, knees bent, his body wavering. The phone in his hand had died from a drained battery, but his resolve did not.

From inside, Deviana heard his words clearly. She stood behind the door, fingers gripping the handle, her heart pounding.

“Why does he have to be so stubborn…” she whispered, tears already wetting her cheeks.

---

Time kept moving. The night air grew bone-piercing. Adrian shivered; cold sweat dampened his temples though the temperature was low. His body—still not fully recovered—was beginning to give...