Sarah’s POVI watched as Julian strolled out of the living room, his parting words to Adrian lingering in the air.You are doing well.The warmth of the evening still wrapped around me—laughter, the easy companionship, the quiet touches Adrian didn’t seem to think twice about. It was disarming, how natural it all felt.Nora stirred slightly against me, her tiny fingers curling tighter around my shirt. I ran a hand over her back, soothing her, while Adrian reached over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was soft, intimate, and it sent something fluttering in my chest.I exhaled slowly. “She’s out.”Adrian smiled, his gaze dipping to Nora. “She had a long day.”“So did you,” I murmured, shifting my attention back to him. His dark eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. The quiet between us wasn’t uncomfortable, but it held something unspoken—something I was finally ready to face.I looked away first, brushing my fingers over Nora’s hair. “I
Adrian’s POVSarah’s breathing evened out before mine did.She had fallen asleep with her fingers still laced through mine, like she trusted me to hold them through the night.Like she trusted me.I let out a slow breath, staring up at the ceiling, but all I could focus on was the warmth of her beside me. The way her presence filled the space like she had always belonged here.Because maybe she did.I had spent months convincing myself that this marriage was nothing more than an arrangement—something convenient, practical, necessary. But nothing about Sarah had ever been just convenient. She had come into my life like a quiet storm, soft but unrelenting, undoing me in ways I hadn’t been prepared for.And now, she was here. In my bed. Trusting me enough to stay.I turned my head slightly, my gaze drawn to the way her hair fanned out against the pillow, the steady rise and fall of her chest, the way her lips parted slightly in sleep.I had seen her like this before—unguarded, vulnerable
Sarah's POV “I carefully arranged the presentation files on the conference table, placing each one in front of a seat, and set a bottle of water next to each file. I wiped my clammy hands on my dress and exhaled as I stepped back to admire my work. Everything was in place for the meeting with the CEO, Adrian Blackwood.Just then, the door swung open, and the board members began to file in. I took my seat beside my manager, pulling out my iPad and light pen, ready to take notes.A few moments before the meeting was set to begin, my phone buzzed in my pocket. “Excuse me,” I said to my manager, “I need to use the restroom.”“Better get back here on time,” he replied curtly. “I don’t want you to miss a thing in this meeting.”I rushed out, and as the elevator doors opened, I found Adrian Blackwood stepping out, his eyes glued to his phone. His rich cologne enveloped me, making me inhale sharply. I held my breath until he walked past, his assistant trailing behind him.Once inside the ele
Adrian's POV As I sat in my office, the weight of the board meeting still weighed heavily on my mind. My personal assistant, Neville, entered with a concerned expression. “Adrian, we need to talk,” he said, closing the door behind him.“I was just about to send for you. What’s on your mind?” I asked, rubbing my temples to ease the headache that was setting in. The meeting had been intense, and the news about our new competitor was still fresh.Neville leaned against my desk, arms crossed. “You heard what the board said. Our new competitor is gaining traction because they present a grounded and responsible image. They have a family man at the helm, while you… well, it’s one girl today and another tomorrow.”I frowned, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. “I know that but my personal life shouldn’t matter when it comes to business.”“Unfortunately, it does,” he replied firmly. “Clients and investors want to see stability and reliability. They’re drifting away because they perceive
Sarah's POV I was standing there awkwardly at the door, taking in the office. It was decorated with black, white and grey with two paintings on both sides of the wall. This was the first time I had been called into the CEO’s office since I began working here two years ago. “Please, take a seat,” he offered, gesturing toward the chair.“I’m comfortable standing, Sir,” I replied.“Miss Nathaniel? Have a seat.” he insisted, his tone softening.With a reluctant sigh, I moved to the chair and sat down, feeling my heart race. “You sent for me, Sir,” I stated, raising my chin to meet his intense gaze with a mix of defiance and fear. I had a feeling that my manager had reported me to him and that's why I'd been sent for. This wasn't the time to get fired. I'd do whatever he asked so I could keep this job. I need the money for Nora. “Sarah, I’ve gone through your file,” Adrian began, his gaze steady. “I’m impressed by your work record.”“Thank you,” I replied cautiously, my heart racing.” I
Adrian's POV A minute passed. She cleared her throat and responded, “Fine. I'll marry you but I'm doing this only for my daughter.” A smile graced my lips, “Good. I knew you'd make the right decision.”“What do you stand to gain with this union anyway?” she asked, staring at me in confusion. “You’ve been fine without a wife all these years.”“I'm doing this for Blackwood Organisation,” I replied, mimicking her tone. “I'm doing this for the staff whose families depend on us for their daily bread. I'm doing this to uphold my family's legacy. So you see, there's not much difference between us.”She scoffed, “Don't flatter me, Sir. There's a big, glaring difference between us. For one, I wouldn't marry anyone if I didn't love him.” she blurted out then clapped her mouth shut in surprise. I chuckled, “Well you just shot yourself in the foot, Sarah. Newsflash, you're getting married to me, tomorrow evening.”“What?!” her brown eyes widened to the size of saucers. “Why... Who... I…” she s
Sarah's POV I stepped out of my bedroom, about to head out when Adrian emerged from the kitchen, his bare chest glistening with a sheen of sweat, sweatpants hanging low on his hips. I knew he must have been working out. That was his usual morning routine before breakfast. Funny how I'd memorized his routine when we'd only been married for a few days. My eyes were instantly drawn to his toned physique, and I felt a flush creep up my cheeks.“Where are you going?” he asked, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he took a step closer.“I see you're enjoying the view,” he remarked. I snapped out of my thoughts, taking a step back and feigning disgust. “No, eww!” He chuckled, clearly amused by my reaction. “Seriously, do you like it?”“Adrian!” I protested, trying to regain my composure. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”“I’m supposed to be on my honeymoon since I got married just last weekend,” he replied smoothly. “Now, don’t try to change the subject. Where are you going?”“None o
Sarah's POVI was still standing there, trying to process the woman’s words when Adrian found me. His warm presence beside me broke through my thoughts.“You wandered off,” he said, handing me a drink. His voice held a teasing edge, but his eyes softened as he studied my face. “What’s wrong?”I hesitated, unsure if I should mention the encounter. What if it was nothing? What if she was just trying to rattle me? But the lingering unease in my chest told me otherwise.“Nothing,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Just needed some air.”Adrian’s gaze lingered for a moment before he nodded. “Let’s step outside. It’s quieter on the balcony.”He led me out to a secluded terrace overlooking the city skyline. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the oppressive heat of the crowded gala hall.“Better?” he asked, leaning against the railing.I nodded, but my thoughts were still racing. “Adrian,” I started, deciding to test the waters. “Have you ever had someone try to come between you and your
Adrian’s POVSarah’s breathing evened out before mine did.She had fallen asleep with her fingers still laced through mine, like she trusted me to hold them through the night.Like she trusted me.I let out a slow breath, staring up at the ceiling, but all I could focus on was the warmth of her beside me. The way her presence filled the space like she had always belonged here.Because maybe she did.I had spent months convincing myself that this marriage was nothing more than an arrangement—something convenient, practical, necessary. But nothing about Sarah had ever been just convenient. She had come into my life like a quiet storm, soft but unrelenting, undoing me in ways I hadn’t been prepared for.And now, she was here. In my bed. Trusting me enough to stay.I turned my head slightly, my gaze drawn to the way her hair fanned out against the pillow, the steady rise and fall of her chest, the way her lips parted slightly in sleep.I had seen her like this before—unguarded, vulnerable
Sarah’s POVI watched as Julian strolled out of the living room, his parting words to Adrian lingering in the air.You are doing well.The warmth of the evening still wrapped around me—laughter, the easy companionship, the quiet touches Adrian didn’t seem to think twice about. It was disarming, how natural it all felt.Nora stirred slightly against me, her tiny fingers curling tighter around my shirt. I ran a hand over her back, soothing her, while Adrian reached over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was soft, intimate, and it sent something fluttering in my chest.I exhaled slowly. “She’s out.”Adrian smiled, his gaze dipping to Nora. “She had a long day.”“So did you,” I murmured, shifting my attention back to him. His dark eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. The quiet between us wasn’t uncomfortable, but it held something unspoken—something I was finally ready to face.I looked away first, brushing my fingers over Nora’s hair. “I
Adrian’s POVThe call ended, leaving me staring at the blank screen for a moment before I slipped my phone back into my pocket.I sighed, pushing off the wall and making my way toward my study. As much as I hated to admit it, Neville had a point. Ignoring my work wasn’t going to make things disappear. If anything, it gave the people waiting for my downfall more ammunition.Settling behind my desk, I powered on my laptop, scanning through the flood of unread emails Neville had been nagging me about. A few were from the board, no doubt expressing their “concern” over my absence. Others were updates on ongoing projects, financial reports, and legal matters—things I would normally dive into without hesitation.Today, however, my mind was elsewhere.I forced myself to reply to the most urgent emails, signing off on approvals and making quick notes where necessary. After about two hours, I leaned back, rubbing the bridge of my nose. It wasn’t much, but it would keep things from falling apar
Sarah’s POVI stared at the door long after Adrian left, my fingers still curled in the warmth he’d left behind.Julian’s voice pulled me back. “So, are we going to talk about what just happened?”I turned to find him watching me with a smirk, arms crossed like he was waiting for me to admit something I wasn’t ready to say.Nora, oblivious to the tension, climbed onto the bed beside me, curling up against my side. I stroked her soft curls absentmindedly, avoiding Julian’s gaze. “Nothing happened.”Julian scoffed. “Right. You two were just holding hands for fun, then?”I rolled my eyes but felt the heat rise to my cheeks. “It’s not like that.”He let out a low chuckle, clearly unconvinced. “You should see the way he looks at you.”I swallowed. I had seen it. And it terrified me.Because for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like running.I cleared my throat, changing the subject. “Where have you two been?”Julian let me have the distraction. “Took Nora to the park. She made
Adrian’s POVI hadn’t planned on asking her.The words had just slipped out, unfiltered and honest. Maybe it was the way she looked at me—soft, unguarded in a way I didn’t see often. Or maybe it was how easy it felt, sitting here, hands intertwined like it was the most natural thing in the world.Either way, I didn’t regret it.Sarah hesitated at first, her mind doing that thing where she overthought every detail. I could see it in the way her fingers twitched slightly against mine, the way she chewed her lip like she was trying to convince herself it was okay to want this.But then, she nodded.And just like that, something in my chest loosened.I didn’t think she’d say yes.At least, not this easily.Sarah had always been the careful one, the one who thought things through, weighed the risks, and second-guessed anything that felt too impulsive. And yet, here she was—her lips curving into a small, uncertain smile, but a smile nonetheless.I smirked. “Good. I’ll take care of everythin
Sarah’s POVThe warmth from my shower still clung to my skin as I ran a towel through my damp hair. The quiet hum of the air conditioner filled the room, but my thoughts were louder. My body ached—not as badly as before, but enough to remind me of everything I’d been through.A soft knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. I turned toward the sound, hesitating for only a second.“Come in.”The door creaked open, and Adrian stepped inside, his tall frame filling the space. His usual confidence was there, but his eyes carried something softer today. He lingered for a second before stepping forward.“You feeling okay?” he asked, his voice low.I offered a small smile. “Better than yesterday.”He nodded, watching me closely before glancing around the room. His gaze flickered to the neatly made bed, then back to me.“Nora and Julian headed to the park,” he said after a moment. “So, it’s just us.”I stilled. The way he said it wasn’t suggestive, but something about it made my pulse quic
Adrian’s POVThe breakfast table slowly emptied, leaving only the remnants of a meal that had been more than just food. It had been a moment—one I wasn’t sure I had expected but found myself grateful for.Sarah had looked lighter this morning. Not entirely at peace, but something close to it. And for the first time in a long time, I’d seen a hint of something in her eyes that wasn’t guardedness.We are getting somewhere I started gathering the plates while Nora ran off excitedly to get ready. Julian helped Sarah up, supporting her as she walked slowly toward her room. “Take it easy,” he murmured, his usual teasing tone absent.“I will,” Sarah replied, offering him a small smile before disappearing down the hall.I carried the dishes into the kitchen, setting them in the sink before turning to find Julian strolling in, rolling up his sleeves. “You actually gonna wash those or just stare at them?” he asked, smirking.I huffed out a breath. “You could’ve just gone with Nora instead of c
Sarah’s POVThe first thing I noticed when I woke up was the quiet.For months, my body had been conditioned to expect chaos—to wake up in a haze of panic, machines beeping, heart pounding, muscles tight, always bracing for something to go wrong. But this morning, the silence was different. It wasn’t heavy. It wasn’t suffocating.It was peaceful.I turned onto my side, blinking as the soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains. Nora was still asleep beside me, her tiny fingers curled into the sheets, her breath slow and steady. I smiled, smoothing a hand over her hair.She was safe.I was safe.That truth should have settled me. But instead, it made something twist deep in my chest.I swallowed, shifting carefully so I wouldn’t wake her, and sat up. The ache in my body was dull but present, a reminder that I wasn’t fully healed yet. Physically, at least.Emotionally?That was another story.I had spent so long keeping my guard up, convincing myself that I didn’t need anyone. Tha
Adrian’s POVThe hallway was dark, but I didn’t need light to find my way. I had walked these halls enough times now, memorized every creaky floorboard, every shift in the air.Still, I hesitated outside Sarah’s door, listening.Silence.Good.She was finally asleep.I exhaled, dragging a hand down my face as I leaned against the wall. I hadn’t planned to check on her again. I had already done it once after she settled in, and I had told myself that was enough. That I needed to give her space.But space was the last thing I wanted to give her.Seeing her in that hospital, pale and fragile, had changed something in me. Or maybe it hadn’t changed anything at all—maybe it had only made me realize how much she had already meant to me.Hearing her say thank you tonight had been unexpected.She didn’t owe me gratitude.She didn’t owe me anything.And yet, that whisper of appreciation had settled in my chest, lodging itself in a place I wasn’t sure I wanted to acknowledge.I pushed off the w