Adrian’s POV I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, my knuckles whitening with the effort. The call had come out of nowhere, dragging me out of the quiet morning I’d been planning.There was no time to inform Sarah, no chance to grab my jacket or finish my coffee. I was out the door in a heartbeat, trying to prepare for what I already suspected would be a confrontation.Ever since Julian got back into town, I had been anticipating with bated breath what new tricks he had up his sleeves. His message lingered in my mind as I navigated the busy streets of the city. His cryptic tone didn’t sit well with me. If there was one thing I’d learned about Julian over the years, it was that he thrived on creating chaos and watching others squirm.I pulled into the parking lot of a familiar upscale bar—the kind of place Julian preferred for his “meetings.” Inside, he was waiting in a corner booth, swirling a glass of whiskey as though he didn’t have a care in the world.“Adrian,” he greeted w
Sarah’s POVWhen I saw Julian standing there, a knot formed in my stomach. His presence always had a way of unsettling me, even more so now with the way his eyes danced with that smug glint.He wasn’t supposed to be here."Julian," I said, my voice coming out more strained than I intended. "What are you doing here?"He glanced over at me, his lips curling into a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. "I came to visit my niece," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.My heart skipped a beat. "Niece?" I repeated, trying to mask the panic rising in me. "How did you even find out she was here?"How was I supposed to explain that my daughter wasn't related to Adrian, and by extension, their family?That'd only make things worse for Adrian. I don't think his parents would take lightly to him marrying a single mother, forgoing the risk of soiling the family's name.Julian shrugged, leaning casually against the wall. "I have my sources. You’ve been keeping secrets, Sarah. I don
Adrian’s POVSarah and I entered Dr. Arnold's office, where the doctor greeted us with a warm but professional smile. The room was small, with walls lined with certificates and medical charts. “We’re here to discuss moving Nora home,” I began. “She’s stable, but we want her out of this environment for safety reasons. We’re prepared to set up everything she needs to recover fully.”Dr. Arnold leaned back, considering my words. “Nora has made significant progress, but home care requires careful planning. I’d recommend a comprehensive check-up to ensure she’s ready for the transition. If all goes well, I’ll prepare a detailed list of equipment and follow-up requirements.”Sarah nodded, her voice soft but resolute. “We trust your judgment, Doctor. Our priority is her well-being.”He scribbled something in his notebook. “I’ll start the check-up immediately. By tomorrow, I’ll have all the results and recommendations ready. Assuming there are no complications, you can take her home then.”R
Sarah's POVAdrian's office was colder than I'd expected, the atmosphere thick with tension as Rome's presence sucked all warmth from the room. My eyes darted to the spilled contents of the folder: photographs and documents that clearly rattled Adrian. I wanted to look closer, but his rigid stance warned me to stay back.“Care to explain yourself, Adrian?” Rome asked smugly, leaning against the desk as though he owned the place.Adrian’s jaw tightened. “Where did you get these?”Rome’s smirk widened. “Does it matter? What matters is what I plan to do with them.” He glanced at me briefly, as if gauging my reaction. “You’ve got a lot riding on this deal, Adrian. Don’t make me ruin it for you.”I stepped forward, surprising even myself. “What exactly do you want?” I demanded, my voice steadier than I felt.I felt Adrian's heated gaze on me but I paid him no attention, my glare directed at Rome.Rome’s brows arched. “Bold, aren’t we? It reminds me of someone I know.” He turned his full at
Adrian's POVThe moment my lips were inches away from hers, I hesitated, my mind a chaotic storm. Sarah’s green eyes widened, searching mine, and I could see the wariness mingled with something softer, something I didn’t deserve.I couldn’t bring myself to cross that line. Not yet.I released her hand gently and took a step back, raking a hand through my hair in frustration. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry, Sarah.”She blinked, clearly thrown off by my sudden retreat. “Adrian…” Her voice was quiet, unsure, and it only twisted the guilt tighter in my chest.“I just—” I paused, trying to find the words. How could I explain the storm raging inside me? The pressure Rome had applied, the secrets I was desperately trying to keep buried, and now, the undeniable pull I felt toward her. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.“I need some air,” I muttered, walking toward the balcony before I could do something else I’d regret.The cool night air did little to calm my nerves. My hands grippe
Sarah’s POVAdrian Blackwood had always seemed like a playboy without a care in the world, but tonight, he had let me glimpse a fragment of the man behind the walls. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to change my perspective of him and make me want to fight for him, even when he was adamant about keeping me out.The ride back to the penthouse had been quiet, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. It was the kind of quiet that carried weight, a shared understanding that didn’t need words.As we stepped out of the car and into the garage, I caught him glancing at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. It was fleeting, but it was there.“Are you done packing?” He asked as we got into the elevator. I shook my head. “Not quite, I have a little left to do.”“Okay. We should leave early tomorrow so we can prepare the apartment before we go to the hospital for Nora. I sent a caretaker there already but I'd like to make her room ready.”My heart melted with the thought he was putting into ma
Adrian’s POVSarah didn’t realize it, but she was becoming the glue holding me together. I had gotten so used to no one caring for me that when Sarah entered my life, her attention began to thaw at my walls.I hadn’t expected this arrangement to change anything about my life other than the legalities and appearances. It was supposed to be simple—help her care for Nora, and secure my position in the company. Yet, here I was, doing things I’d never done before.I caught myself glancing at her as we drove toward my apartment, her fingers absently twisting the hem of her sweater. She was nervous, though she tried to hide it. I wanted to say something reassuring, to tell her it would all work out, but the words felt too personal. Too real.Instead, I tightened my grip on the wheel and focused on the road.For as long as I could remember, I’d kept people at arm’s length, letting them see only the version of me I wanted them to see. It was easier that way—no expectations, no attachments. But
Sarah's POV I looked up to see a man walking past Nora's room. Adrian had gotten her transferred to the VIP section immediately we got married. A little girl ran into his arms and he carried her up, twirling her in the air. “uncle Gabe!” Her tiny voice screeched.Adrian had his pen frozen mid-air as he watched the scene play out. “Adrian, are you okay?”He cleared his throat at the sound of my voice and handed the discharge papers to the nurse who had been waiting patiently.“Of course, I'm fine. I just thought I saw someone, nothing serious.” He responded. I left Nora's side as her caregiver changed her out of the hospital garment into one of the dresses we had gotten her on the way here. “Are you afraid Julian may show up and cause trouble?” I whispered to him so Nora wouldn't hear our discussion. “Why would I be afraid of my younger brother?” he replied flippantly. “I saw your reaction to that man's statement. You must have thought it was Julian.”He glanced at Nora. “I just
Sarah’s POVThe empty space beside me was cool to the touch.I blinked my eyes open, still groggy from sleep, and turned my head toward the other side of the bed. Adrian wasn’t there.For a brief moment, unease crept in, but I pushed it aside. He must have gone to the company. The weight of the handover had been pressing on him, and though he hadn’t outright admitted it, I knew he had a decision to make—one that wasn’t easy for him.A soft sigh left my lips as I sat up, running a hand through my hair. I had wanted him to rest, to take a moment for himself, but I should have known he wouldn’t be able to stay still for long.I glanced at the time.Slipping out of bed, I grabbed my robe and padded toward the door. If Adrian had left early, he hadn’t told me, but I wasn’t going to dwell on it. I had my own responsibilities this morning—starting with getting Nora ready for school. It was something I hadn't done since I got into the accident a month ago. I walked across the hall to her roo
Adrian’s POVSarah’s warmth was still pressed against me, her steady heartbeat anchoring me in a way nothing else could.She shouldn’t have been out of bed.She shouldn’t have been worrying about me when she was still recovering.But she was.Because that was who Sarah was—someone who loved fiercely, someone who saw through the walls I built and refused to let me stand alone.I tightened my arms around her, breathing her in, letting the familiar scent of her calm the storm in my chest.“I mean it,” she murmured against my shirt. “You’re not alone in this.”I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly. I wanted to believe her.I wanted to believe that no matter what decision I made, I wouldn’t lose myself in the process.But the truth was, I didn’t know who I was without the fight.I had spent so many years defining myself by what I wasn’t—not my father, not his puppet, not the man everyone expected me to be. But if I stripped all of that away… what was left?And what if stepping into that role p
Sarah’s POVThe moment Adrian left the room, the silence pressed in on me like a heavy weight.I sank further into the pillows, staring at the closed door, my mind replaying our conversation. His father was dying. He wanted Adrian to take over the company.And Adrian didn’t know what to do.That alone was enough to tell me how deeply this was affecting him. Adrian always had an answer, always had a plan. But now, I saw the uncertainty in his eyes, the way his walls threatened to rise again.I hated it.I hated that his father still had this much control over him. I hated that even in the face of death, Richard Blackwood was pulling strings, ensuring Adrian was trapped in his web.I swallowed hard, shifting slightly in bed. Pain rippled through me, but I ignored it. I had gotten used to it by now.My thoughts drifted to Julian’s expression when he stepped into the room earlier. I hadn’t missed the tension in his posture, the way his eyes flickered to Adrian like he knew something I did
Adrian’s POVThe weight of the conversation with my father still sat heavy on my chest as I stepped into our bedroom. Seeing Sarah awake, her tired eyes watching me with concern, only made it worse.She didn’t need this. Not now. Not when she was still weak.But she deserved the truth.And so, I told her.The moment the words left my mouth—My father is dying. He wants me to take over the company—the room grew impossibly quiet.Sarah’s fingers curled around mine, grounding me. “What are you going to do?”The truth was, I didn’t know.My whole life, I had fought against Richard Blackwood’s control, trying to carve my own path and refusing to be a pawn in his empire. And now, with his mortality looming over him, he was trying to pull me back in.“I don’t know,” I admitted, the words foreign on my tongue. I always had a plan, always knew my next step. But this? This was uncharted territory.Sarah studied me for a long moment before speaking. “Did he say how long?”I exhaled sharply, dragg
Sarah’s POVThe moment Adrian left, a strange sense of unease settled over me. I tried to shake it off, telling myself I was just exhausted, but something in my gut told me that whatever he was going to face wouldn’t be simple.I shifted against the pillows, trying to find a comfortable position, but my body protested every movement. My muscles ached, my skin burned, and my stomach felt like it was twisted in knots. I hated feeling this weak, this helpless.Dr. Arnold adjusted my IV, his face calm but focused. “How are you feeling now?”“Like I got run over by a truck,” I muttered.His lips twitched in amusement, but his eyes remained serious. “The reaction should subside soon. Your body is just struggling to adjust.”I let out a slow breath. “I thought I was getting better.”“You were—you are.” He paused. “But sometimes setbacks happen. The important thing is that we caught it in time.”I nodded weakly. “Thank you.”“Just rest,” he said gently. “Tasha will be here if you need anythin
Adrian’s POVThe morning started off wrong. I knew it the moment I opened my eyes and felt the tension in the air, the unease settling in my chest like a weight I couldn't shake.Sarah stirred beside me, her face scrunched up in discomfort. Her breathing was shallow, her skin pale, and when I placed a hand against her forehead, I felt the heat radiating off her.The moment my mind caught up with what was happening, I sat up, my heart pounding as I turned to her. She was curled into herself, her face twisted in discomfort, beads of sweat forming at her temple."Sarah?" I whispered, brushing her hair back.She let out a low whimper, her hand pressing against her abdomen. "It hurts..."Dread curled in my stomach. She hadn’t complained about pain since we got back home. The worst was supposed to be over.I threw off the covers and immediately reached for my phone. “I’m calling the doctor,” I said firmly, dialing the number as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I glanced at the cloc
Sarah’s POVThe way Adrian’s jaw clenched, the way his fingers curled into tight fists at his sides—I knew whatever he’d just learned wasn’t good.I tightened the towel around my hair, stepping closer. “Adrian.” My voice was soft but firm. “What is it?”He exhaled through his nose, his gaze dark with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. “My father’s making moves.” His voice was controlled, but I could hear the anger simmering beneath. “He’s coming after me.” A pause. “And you.”A cold weight settled in my stomach.Me?I blinked, my fingers tightening around the towel. “What do you mean?”Adrian ran a hand over his face before pushing off the wall and walking toward me. “He’s pulling strings, calling in favors. He’s not taking Julian’s resignation lightly, and since I’m the one still under him...” His throat bobbed. “He’s going to come unto me very strongly. And knowing him, he’ll come at us from every angle.”My heart pounded, but I forced myself to stay calm. “What does that
Adrian’s POVThe weight of Julian’s words settled in my chest like a stone. I’d known this moment was coming—the day he’d finally walk away from our father’s expectations—but I hadn’t expected the tension that came with it.Julian stared at me, waiting for my reaction. Sarah, standing a few feet away, had that quiet, assessing look she always wore when she sensed something was off.I exhaled, rubbing my jaw. “Julian, you don’t have to explain yourself to me. If this is what you want—”“It’s not that simple,” he interrupted, shaking his head. “You think he’s just going to let me walk away?” His laugh was bitter. “He’s furious. And you know how he is when he’s mad.”Yeah, I did. Our father was a man who demanded control, who molded his sons into what he deemed worthy. And if you refused to fit the mold? You were a disappointment. A failure.Julian had been fighting that label for years. And now, he was finally letting it go.Sarah stepped forward, her voice softer but firm. “What exactl
Sarah’s POVThe cafe smelled of fresh bread and warm coffee, a quiet hum of conversation filling the space around us. It was cozy, simple, and oddly comforting. I ran my fingers along the rim of my coffee cup, my mind still lingering on my conversation with Dr. Monroe. Across from me, Adrian watched me with those steady, patient eyes. He hadn’t pushed me to talk, hadn’t filled the silence with empty words. He just was—a quiet strength I could lean on if I chose to.“Want another pastry?” he asked, nudging the last croissant on the plate toward me.I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “No, I’m good.”He arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Because you inhaled the last one.”I shot him a look, but he only smirked, clearly pleased with himself. Annoying man.I reached for my coffee, taking a slow sip. The warmth settled inside me, grounding me. “I feel like ice cream,” I said suddenly, surprising even myself.Adrian blinked. “Ice cream?”I nodded, leaning back against the cus