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
Adrian’s POVThe thrum of music pulsed in my ears as I leaned back in the plush booth, gripping the tumbler of whiskey in my hand. The dim lights of the club blurred faces into shadows, and it was just what I needed—or so I kept telling myself.The truth was, I wasn’t here to drown my troubles or escape from some business deal gone wrong. I was here because of her.Sarah.I’d thought the contract marriage would be straightforward. A transaction. But Sarah wasn’t just a name on paper. She was real—vividly, painfully real. Her laugh, her stubbornness, the way she cared for me like I actually mattered to her. She’d crept into my life, into my head, and now I couldn’t stop thinking about her.And that terrified me.I downed the rest of the whiskey, the burn in my throat barely registering. Nora’s excited chatter about her new room, Sarah’s soft “thank you” as she squeezed my hand—those moments had felt right. Too right.I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. I couldn’t afford to.Another gla
Sarah’s POVMy eyes were bloodshot from staying awake all night. The morning felt like a fragile thread I was trying desperately to hold onto. Cooking with Nora was my attempt at normalcy, but the moment Adrian walked through the door, the tension in the air became palpable.He looked tired — haggard, even. His shirt was wrinkled, his tie loosened, and his eyes held something I couldn’t quite place. Guilt? Regret?I wasn’t sure I cared.I’d spent the better part of the night staring at that picture. Adrian at the club, drink in hand, with a woman clinging to him like she belonged there. A part of me had wanted to call him, demand answers. But another part, the part that still clung to the terms of our so-called marriage,told me it wasn’t my place.This was a contract. Nothing more.And yet, the ache in my chest told a different story.“Do you want some?” I’d asked him, my voice carefully neutral as I flipped a pancake.When he nodded, I turned back to the stove, grateful for the mome
Adrian's POV The soft hum of the dishwasher filled the silence as I stood in the kitchen, absently wiping my hands on a towel. My mind, however, was far from the task at hand.Sarah’s frosty demeanor lingered in my thoughts, gnawing at me like an itch I couldn’t reach. She had smiled, nodded, even apologized, but her tone and body language betrayed her. Something was wrong, and I had no idea what it was.Through the window, I could see Nora playing on the lawn, her laughter carrying through the crisp morning air. Sarah sat on the porch, knitting, her eyes occasionally lifting to check on Nora.She looked serene, but I knew better. The tension from breakfast was still thick enough to cut with a knife.I glanced at the table where Sarah’s phone lay. Its screen lit up with a notification, momentarily catching my attention. I didn’t mean to look, but the image on the screen froze me in place.It was me.At the club.With the lady who had followed me back to the penthouse.My chest tighte
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
Adrian’s POVI watched as Sarah slipped her hand into mine, her fingers small but steady against my palm. It wasn’t the first time she’d held my hand, but today, it felt different—like she wasn’t just seeking comfort but choosing to trust me.It was a small step, but with Sarah, every step forward mattered.“Let’s go,” I said, giving her hand a light squeeze before leading her toward the door.As we made our way down to the car, I stole a glance at her. She looked beautiful in the sky-blue dress, but beyond that, there was something in her expression that struck me—an openness that hadn’t been there before. She was still guarded, still careful, but she wasn’t pulling away.Progress.I opened the car door for her, waiting until she was settled before rounding to my side. As I started the engine, I could feel her watching me.“What is it?” I asked, keeping my tone light.Sarah hesitated. “Just… thanks. For coming with me.”I glanced at her, my grip tightening slightly on the steering wh
Sarah’s POVI slipped my hand into Adrian’s, my fingers curling around his warmth. It wasn’t the first time we’d held hands, but today, it felt different—like I was choosing to lean on him, to trust him.He didn’t say anything about it, just gave my hand a light squeeze.“Let’s go,” he said.As we walked down to the car, I felt his eyes on me, but I kept mine ahead, steadying myself. I had spent days convincing myself that I was ready for this session, that I could sit in a room with a stranger and say the words I’d been running from for years.Now, standing on the edge of it, my chest felt tight.Adrian opened the car door for me, waiting until I was seated before rounding to his side. I watched him as he started the engine, the steady way he moved, the ease in his presence. He had been patient with me—more patient than I deserved.“What is it?” he asked, his tone light but attentive.I hesitated, then murmured, “Just… thanks. For coming with me.”His grip tightened on the steering w
Sarah’s POVThe faint sound of the bedroom door clicking shut stirred me awake. My body felt warm, cocooned in the blankets, and for a moment, I just lay there, relishing the rare sense of peace. The scent of Adrian’s cologne still lingered on the sheets beside me, a reminder that he’d been here just moments ago.I stretched, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. My body still felt sluggish, but at least today, the ache in my chest wasn’t as heavy as before. Small victories.A soft knock sounded at the door before it creaked open slightly."You're awake," Tasha’s voice floated in as she stepped inside. "I was about to wake you up."I didn't realize she'd slept over last night, Julian must have convinced her to. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "What time is it?""A little past nine. I figured you might want some tea before getting ready." She held up a steaming cup, and I smiled, taking it from her."Thanks, Tash."She perched on the edge of
Adrian’s POVThe rhythmic clicking of buttons filled the game room, accompanied by Julian’s occasional muttered curses whenever I got the upper hand. He was competitive, always had been, but tonight, his focus was scattered."You’re distracted," I pointed out, not taking my eyes off the screen.Julian scoffed, leaning back against the couch. "Says the guy who’s been playing on autopilot for the last ten minutes."I clenched my jaw, knowing he wasn’t wrong. My mind wasn’t on the game—it was on Sarah.Her conversation with Tasha had been playing in the back of my mind ever since I overheard my name. I hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but the way her voice softened when she said she didn’t regret marrying me—it did something to me."We should call it a night." I muttered, throwing the gamepad on a beanbag. "Hey! I was finally winning." Julian cried out, standing up after me. "I owe you a rematch some other day, right now, I really want to see Sarah." I told him, turning off the system. He t