Adrian’s POVThe steady rhythm of my car’s engine filled the silence as I drove toward the office. The morning rush was in full swing, and yet my thoughts weren’t on the day’s meetings or the endless emails awaiting my attention.They were on Sarah.I shook my head as though the motion would drain away the thoughts I was having. I pulled into the parking garage and stepped out, the cool air brushing against me as I headed toward the elevator. The elevator doors opened to the sleek expanse of Blackwood Enterprises’ top floor, where glass walls and polished marble floors reflected the sunlight streaming in from the large windows. Neville greeted me with his usual efficiency, handing me a schedule as I stepped into the office.“Good morning, Mr. Blackwood. You have a meeting with the marketing team at 10 AM, a quarterly review at noon, and Mr. Carson is scheduled to arrive at 2 PM to discuss the land acquisition,” he said, his tone brisk.“Perfect. Let Carson know I’m expecting him,” I
Sarah’s POVTasha began pulling snacks from her bag — chips, a pack of pizza, a tub of ice cream, and a bottle of wine. “Mary Poppins, much?”She laughed, throwing her head back. “I wanted to come prepared. We’re going to talk, laugh, and eat like we’re twenty again,” she declared, kicking off her shoes.I chuckled and grabbed a couple of glasses. “You’re lucky I don’t mind the mess you’re about to make.”Tasha grinned, popping open the wine. “Mess? This is organized chaos, my dear. Now, sit and tell me what’s been going on. I want all the juicy details.”I hesitated, unsure of how much to share. Tasha wasn’t just my best friend; she was my rock. Still, I wasn’t sure I was ready to unpack all my feelings about Adrian.“Well,” I started, “Nora’s doing much better. She’s getting stronger every day, and her doctor says she’ll be ready to return to her normal activities and go back to school soon.”“That’s great news!” Tasha squealed, raising her glass. “To Nora’s recovery!”I clinked m
Adrian’s POVI entered my study to find Julian pacing back and forth, his polished shoes clicking against the hardwood floor. He looked disheveled, his usually impeccable suit slightly wrinkled and his tie loosened. That alone was enough to tell me something was wrong. Julian was never anything but poised, at least outwardly.“Julian,” I said, shutting the door behind me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”He stopped pacing, turning to face me with a grim expression. “It’s worse than that.”I raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against my desk. “You’re going to have to be more specific. What’s going on?”Julian hesitated, running a hand through his hair. “The branch I’m managing, it’s falling apart. The investors are pulling out, the staff morale is at an all-time low, and the numbers… they’re nonexistent.”I folded my arms, waiting for him to continue.“I’ve tried everything I can think of to fix it,” he said, his voice rising slightly. “But nothing’s working. And if Dad finds out…
Sarah’s POVAdrian's expression shifted as he stared at his phone, the tension rolling off him in waves. Even Nora noticed, her small hands tugging at his sleeve.“Uncle Adrian, are you okay?” she asked innocently, tilting her head.Adrian forced a small smile and kissed her forehead. “I’m fine, sunshine. Go on and finish your cartoon.”Nora hesitated, her big eyes darting between us, but eventually nodded and scampered off to the other end of the couch. I watched Adrian stand, his movements tense, and head toward the balcony with his phone.“Adrian?” I called after him, but he was already closing the sliding door behind him.Something about the way he’d said “work stuff” earlier didn’t sit right with me. And now, seeing his reaction to that call, I knew it was more than that.“What’s wrong with Uncle Adrian?” Nora asked, her voice breaking the silence.I glanced at her, offering a reassuring smile. “He’s just busy, sweetheart. Grown-up things.”She nodded and returned her attention t
Adrian’s POVI shut the door to my study and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. The quiet hum of the desk lamp greeted me as I sank into the chair, my fingers instinctively running through my hair. The tension from the evening still clung to me, even after Sarah’s cooking and Nora’s innocent antics had offered a brief reprieve.Julian.He always meant well, at least for the company, but his mistakes had a way of turning into my problems. I pulled my phone from my pocket, scrolling through the messages I’d ignored earlier. They painted a picture of a branch on the verge of chaos—and a father who was just waiting for me to fail.A sharp knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I frowned.“Come in,” I called, expecting Sarah—or maybe even Nora with another clever excuse to delay bedtime.It was Sarah, holding two steaming mugs. She had changed into her pajamas, an indication that she was getting ready for bed. She closed the door behind her and crossed the room, p
Sarah’s POVThe sound of laughter from the living room drifted into the kitchen as I dried the last plate and placed it back in the cabinet. Nora was giggling at some cartoon, her high-pitched squeals filling the air. She ought to start school as soon as possible, the time she was spending in front of the TV was getting too much. Adrian had been quiet all morning, leaving later in the afternoon for the office without much more than a brief goodbye. I hadn’t pushed him—he had enough on his plate, and I could tell his mind was already drowning in work.“Done, Mommy!” Nora announced, skipping into the kitchen with a triumphant smile. She held up her empty juice box as evidence.“Good job, sweetheart,” I said, kneeling to her level and brushing a stray curl from her face. “How about we take a walk to the park later?”Her eyes lit up. “Can we get ice cream too?”“We’ll see,” I teased, tapping her nose.As Nora ran off to gather her shoes, I found myself thinking about Adrian. The weight
Adrian's POVThe house was quiet again, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning. Nora was fast asleep in her room, her tiny hands clutching the stuffed bunny she refused to part with. I lingered in her doorway for a moment, watching her chest rise and fall in the rhythm of deep sleep.She reminded me of Sarah who was resilient, full of life, and always finding joy in the smallest things. It was one of the many things I admired about her. Sarah had brought light into my life in ways I hadn’t thought possible.Seeing them together reminded me of the love only a mother could give. It made me miss my mum.I closed Nora’s door softly and walked down the hallway toward the living room. Sarah was there, folding the throw blanket Nora had been using earlier. She looked up when she heard my footsteps, a small smile curving her lips.“Thanks for carrying her,” she said, tucking the blanket neatly over the arm of the couch.“No problem,” I replied, leaning against the wall. “She’s a great
Sarah's POV The rest of the day passed in a blur. By the time the sun began to set, we were all exhausted but content. Nora had been on cloud nine, recounting her favorite moments from our school visits, her enthusiasm contagious.After dinner, I watched from the kitchen as Adrian carried Nora to her room. She clung to him sleepily, her little head resting against his shoulder, her bunny tucked under one arm. It was such a simple sight, but it made my heart ache in ways I couldn’t explain.As I finished tidying up, I heard the soft hum of Adrian’s voice coming from Nora’s room. I paused in the hallway, leaning against the wall. He was tucking her in, and the tenderness in his tone made my chest tighten. He didn’t have to do any of this, but he did it anyway—without hesitation, without complaint.“Thank you for today, Uncle Adrian,” Nora murmured, her voice small and sleepy.“Anything for you, princess,” he replied, his voice warm and steady.I smiled, pressing a hand to my chest. She
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
Sarah’s POVThe house was quiet, except for the distant sound of Julian and Adrian’s voices from the game room. I sat on a couch, fingers tracing the rim of my teacup, letting the warmth seep into my skin.Nora had fallen asleep almost as soon as I tucked her in, her tiny hand gripping mine as she murmured something about unicorns and castles. A small smile touched my lips at the memory. She was growing so fast.Tasha, on the other hand, was still here, sprawled out on the couch opposite me, scrolling through her phone with a lazy smirk."You keep staring into space like that, and Adrian might start thinking you're regretting saying yes to him," she teased, glancing up at me.I huffed, shaking my head. "That’s the last thing on my mind.""Good." She sat up, tossing her phone onto the coffee table. "So, tell me. What is on your mind?"I hesitated, wrapping my fingers around my cup. "Emily."Tasha’s smirk disappeared instantly. "You’re really considering seeing her again?"I sighed. "I
Adrian’s POVI watched as Sarah laughed at something Nora said, her eyes soft with warmth. Despite everything weighing on her mind, she was still so present, still so... her.But I knew her well enough to see the worry lingering beneath the surface.As I turned back to the stove, mashing the potatoes, Julian leaned against the counter beside me, his arms crossed. "You don’t like this, do you?"I sighed. "It’s not about what I like. It’s about what’s best for Sarah."Julian scoffed. "And you think letting Emily back in is best?"I set the spoon down, lowering the heat on the stove. "I don’t know. But this isn’t my choice to make. It’s Sarah’s."Julian exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I just don’t get it, Adrian. Emily nearly killed her. If that accident had gone a little differently—” He shook his head. "You could’ve lost her."I clenched my jaw. "You think I don’t know that?"Julian’s expression softened slightly, but he didn’t back down. "Then why aren’t you fightin