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 soft creak of the porch swing was the only sound breaking the stillness of the late morning. My hands moved rhythmically, knitting a scarf for Nora, but my mind was elsewhere.The photo on my phone haunted me. Adrian at that club, the woman draped over him like an accessory—it was a scene I couldn’t unsee, no matter how hard I tried.Nora’s laughter floated across the yard as she twirled in the sunlight, clutching a flower she had picked. I forced myself to smile as she bounded toward me.“Mommy, look! Isn’t it pretty?” She held up the delicate flower, her excitement contagious.“It’s beautiful, sweetheart,” I said, gently tucking the flower into her hair.But even as I tried to be present for her, the weight of my thoughts dragged me down. Adrian’s complete turnaround from the caring man he had been for the past few days to the man he had been before we signed the contract. “Are you okay, Mommy?” Nora’s small voice broke through my reverie, her eyes searching mine.I
Adrian’s POVThe Black Orchid’s private dining room was a study in excess, with its shiny mirrors, soft candlelight, and pristine table settings that screamed exclusivity. Rome sat at the head of the table, a smug expression plastered on his face. Every time I dealt with him, I was reminded of why I hated playing these games.Tonight wasn’t just about business, it was a chessboard, and Rome was positioning himself for the ultimate checkmate.Sarah stood beside me, her posture perfect but her unease palpable. The dress I’d chosen for her hugged her figure, drawing a few lingering stares from Rome and his cronies. My jaw tightened, but I placed a protective hand on her lower back, guiding her forward.Rome rose as we approached, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes spreading across his face.“Adrian,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with venom. “It’s always a pleasure.” He turned to Sarah, his gaze lingering far too long. “And you must be Sarah. You’re even more stunning in person.”
Sarah's POV Adrian drew in a sharp breath bedside me, drawing my attention. Unable to keep up my anger, I turned to him. “Are you okay?”He glanced at me and turned off his phone, shoving it in his pocket. “Yeah, I'm fine.” He replied, not meeting my eyes. “Okay.” I drawled, turning back to the window. “We are here, Mr Blackwood, Mrs Blackwood.” The driver announced as he pulled into the driveway, killing the engine. Without a word, Adrian jumped out of the car as though he was being chased. I wondered what was up with him. “Have a good night.” I said to the driver as I stepped outside. He muttered a reply before driving the car to the garage. I took a deep breath and pulled my coat tighter around me. The chill in the evening air wasn’t the only thing making me uneasy. As I climbed the steps to the house, the grand front door loomed ahead like a cage. Adrian had already disappeared inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts.I pushed the door open and stepped into the warm glo
Adrian's POV The door to my study clicked shut behind me, muffling the sounds of the world outside. I loosened my tie, tossing it onto the desk before slumping into the leather chair. My hands dragged down my face as the weight of the evening settled over me.I fished out my phone from my pocket, the image filling the screen immediately after I turned it on. There was Sarah. With a man who looked too familiar for my liking. If I had thought Nora looked so much like Sarah, it was because I hadn't met this man. She was a little, female copy of him. Sarah was smiling widely, an expression I had never seen on her. She looked quite young also. Under the picture was a caption from Rome. "What would happen if the world were to find out that your wife got pregnant as a teenager and for a criminal, at that?"I stared at the screen, my grip on the phone tightening as Rome's taunting words seared into my brain. A criminal? Sarah had never mentioned anything like this.Questions clawed at my
Sarah's POVThe door clicked shut behind Adrian, and silence filled the space he’d left. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands, the weight of the conversation sinking in. Though we’d managed to air some of the tension between us, a lingering unease remained. Trust was fragile, and rebuilding it would take more than a single night.I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My mind raced with thoughts of Rome’s threats, the image of Chris, and the secrets I’d kept buried for so long. It was terrifying to think how quickly the past could unravel everything I had fought to protect.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. “Mommy?”Nora peeked her head in, her wide, curious eyes reminding me of the innocence I was trying so hard to preserve.“Come here, baby,” I said, patting the bed beside me.She climbed up and nestled into my side. “Are you okay? You look sad.”I smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’m okay, sweetheart. Just a lot on my mind.”“
Adrian's POVThe morning sun streamed through my office window as I leaned back in my chair, staring at the spreadsheet open on my laptop. Numbers and projections blurred together, my mind elsewhere entirely.I couldn’t stop thinking about Sarah and Nora.The sight of them at breakfast had left a warmth I hadn’t felt in years, ever since my mother died. Nora’s laughter was a melody I hadn’t realized I needed, and Sarah’s guarded smile—though rare—gave me a sense of purpose I couldn’t explain.But beneath it all, I could feel the tension. Sarah was still holding back, still keeping me at arm’s length. I couldn’t blame her. After everything she’d been through, trust didn’t come easily.A sharp knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, straightening up.My assistant, Neville, stepped in with a stack of files. “Morning, Mr. Blackwood. These are the reports you requested.”“Thanks,” I said, taking the files and setting them on the desk.He lingered for a moment,
Sarah's POVAs I walked back to my room, Adrian’s words from earlier played on a loop in my mind. "I’m here. For you and Nora. Not because of the contract or any obligation, but because I care."It had been years since someone said something like that to me—and meant it.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my laptop. The financial projections I’d been reviewing earlier now felt meaningless. My life had always been about survival, about making it through one day to the next without falling apart. But Adrian took that away. I could sleep peacefully without having nightmares of not being able to foot Nora's bills or even keep a roof over our head. He was beginning to thaw at my walls which were there for a reason.People like Adrian didn’t stay. They didn’t fight for someone like me, not once they saw the scars and baggage I carried.But as much as I wanted to protect myself, I couldn’t deny how much he’d already done for Nora and me. He’d given us stability, a sense of safety I ha
Adrian’s POVFriday dawned grey and golden, with streaks of early light filtering through the blinds. I was already awake, staring at the ceiling and listening to the soft rhythm of Sarah’s breathing beside me. The day had come—the handover, the press, the board, the gala.My phone buzzed on the nightstand. 6:14 AM. Julian.Julian: You ready to be the face of Blackwood Enterprises?I smirked at the text and responded:Me: I was born ready. Or at least, I fake it well enough.Sarah stirred and rolled toward me, eyes still heavy with sleep. “It’s today, isn’t it?”“Yeah,” I whispered, brushing her hair back. “The big day.”She reached for my hand beneath the covers, her fingers curling around mine. “You’ve earned this.”“I know,” I said quietly. “But it still feels like walking into a storm, just this time, I’m the one holding the lightning.”That earned a sleepy smile. “And a really good suit.”I kissed her forehead. “Go back to sleep. I’ll try not to wake the whole house.”*By 8:00 A
Sarah’s POVThe smell of grilled chicken filled the air, mingling with the faint sound of cartoon laughter from the living room. Emily stood beside me at the kitchen island, chopping vegetables like a pro while I stirred the pot on the stove. The kitchen was warm, lively, and full of the kind of chaos I had grown to cherish.“I swear, if Nora teaches Alex one more dramatic line from those princess movies, I’m telling her you and Adrian will leave her alone for a week,” Emily said, tossing sliced peppers into a bowl.I laughed. “She probably learned it from you. You’re the one who let them watch Frozen three times in one day.”Emily rolled her eyes. “That was self-defense. They ambushed me before coffee.”From the living room, we could hear the kids yelling excitedly about who was winning their game of “magic couch lava.” Their laughter echoed off the walls, blending seamlessly into the cozy rhythm of the evening.The front door opened and shut, followed by the unmistakable sound of tw
Adrian’s POVThe boardroom was finally empty.I leaned back in my chair, the quiet hum of the city drifting through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Blackwood Tower. The meeting had gone exactly as expected—formalities, final signatures, and an overuse of the word “legacy.” It was official now. The handover ceremony was set for next week.I’d thought I’d feel relief.Instead, I felt... still. Like the moment before a storm breaks or the silence that follows a gunshot. This wasn’t just a transition of power. This was a final blow to the people who tried to destroy everything I stood for. Rome. Daniella. The chaos they’d tried to bury us under—it was about to come to light.And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the mess that would follow.A smile tugged at my lips as I recalled Sarah's text. She always knew how to ground me. Just a few words from her had a way of steadying the war going on in my head.I stared at the screen a second longer before locking the phone and rising to my feet. M
Sarah’s POVThe house was quiet when I woke up the next morning. Adrian had left early for work, and Nora was already off to school. I stood at the kitchen counter, sipping my coffee, the warmth of the mug comforting as the cool morning air drifted in from the open window. It felt like the calm after a storm, the kind of peace I hadn’t realized I was craving.Emily was sitting on the couch when I walked into the living room, her legs tucked underneath her, a blanket draped over her lap. The silence between us was still new as we'd only really started getting to know each other.“How are you holding up?” I asked, setting my coffee mug down on the table and sitting across from her.She gave a soft, almost relieved sigh. "I don’t think I ever really knew what peace felt like until now," she said, her voice low but steady. "I spent so many years just... surviving. And then, when the divorce happened, I thought I’d lose myself in it all. But now, being here, having time to breathe, I feel
Adrian’s POVSleep didn’t come easy.Not because I wasn’t tired—I was. Bone-deep and soul-weary in that quiet, post-confession kind of way. But something about tonight stirred everything in me. Her words echoed through my head on repeat.“You make it feel safe.”That did something to me. Cut through layers I didn’t even know I still wore.I watched her breathing even out, her lashes fluttering slightly, one hand curled beneath her cheek. She looked peaceful. Like something sacred. And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I didn’t have to earn the right to breathe beside her. I just could.I slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake her. The floorboards creaked under my weight, but she didn’t stir. I pulled on my hoodie—the same one I’d worn on our walk—and stepped out onto the porch.The night hadn’t changed. Still full of stars. Still wrapped in that quiet, velvet stillness.But I had changed.I ran a hand over my face and sat on the steps, elbows on my knees, staring
Sarah’s POVI couldn't sleep.The atmosphere was too beautiful to waste on sleeping, so I struck up a conversation just as I felt Adrian nodding off beside me.“Do you want to go for a walk? The moon looks nicely bright,” I whispered in his ear.He stirred, turning slightly toward me. “Now?”“Just for a little while,” I said. “Please.”He opened his eyes, gave me a groggy but indulgent smile, and nodded. “Give me two minutes.”I slipped on my sweater and socks while he pulled on a hoodie and sneakers. We crept out of the cabin like teenagers sneaking out after curfew, careful not to wake Nora. The air outside was crisp but gentle, and the sky was a velvet canvas scattered with stars. The moon hung low and full, casting silver light across the lake.We walked in silence at first, the sound of leaves crunching beneath our feet the only interruption. I took his hand and he gave mine a reassuring squeeze.“I used to dream about places like this when I was little,” I said quietly. “Peacefu
Adrian’s POVI hadn't expected Sarah to leave the house so early on a Saturday morning but when she said she had to see Dr. Monroe, I didn't stop her. That morning, breakfast was a quiet affair without Sarah and Julian around, and with things still being a bit awkward between Emily and I. After breakfast, Emily offered to take the kids to the park. I helped her get them ready, packing a basket for a little picnic while they were there. Once they left, the house was empty for the first time in a long while. It reminded me of the days before I met Sarah. They were dark and lonely days which blended into each other. Sarah had been the beacon of light I didn't know I needed. I made my way to my study to get some work done. Operations at the company had continued without supervision while the chaos about who would be chairman went on which meant I had a lot to cover now that it was mostly over. I briefly thought about Dad who was now on permanent bed rest in his home. If he had his w
Sarah’s POVThe house was quiet.Emily and her kids were asleep, and Julian was staying the night out.Nora had fallen asleep in Adrian’s arms during bedtime stories, and he'd tucked her in like always—soft smile on his face, even after everything that happened earlier. I was curled up on the couch now, knees hugged to my chest, a blanket draped over me. My hair was still slightly damp from a quick shower, but the ache in my chest had nothing to do with fatigue.Adrian came into the room with two mugs of chamomile tea. He handed one to me without a word and sat beside me, close enough that our knees touched.For a few minutes, we just sat there in silence, the weight of the day slowly settling.And then, softly, I said, “I thought I was going to break again.”He turned toward me, eyes gentle. “But you didn’t.”“I know,” I whispered. “That’s what’s strange. I thought seeing him would send me spiraling like last time. That the fear would come back… the shaking, the flashbacks, the guilt
Adrian’s POVIt was finally Friday, the day I'd been dreading all week.It was the day Sarah chose to meet with Michael. The moment I saw his name flash on the private security log, I felt something cold settle in my chest.Michael.I hadn't seen him since that day in the motel—the day he barged back in Sarah's life and sent her spiraling into a seizure. The day I had looked him straight in the eye and told him to never come near her again.And yet… here he was. Again.I glanced at Sarah sitting beside me in the private lounge we’d secured for this meeting. She was tense, shoulders rigid, hands clasped so tightly her knuckles were white. Julian had wanted to be in the room. I told him to wait outside—but close.She shouldn't have had to see him again. I hated myself for even allowing this meeting to happen.But she said she wanted closure. Not answers—because Michael had none—but closure. Finality.The door opened. He walked in like he hadn’t thrown our lives into chaos the last time