Sarah's POVAfter Nora and Adrian left the house, I was supposed to go to a cafe to work on my writing. I had been applying to be a freelance writer for media companies even though I didn't tell Adrian yet. But with the way last night went, I had no strength in me.Adrian’s admission about hiring a private investigator had caught me off guard. It was such a decisive step—one I hadn’t expected him to take. But even with his promises, the ache in my chest lingered.I didn’t doubt Adrian’s intentions, but trust? That was harder.I walked into the living room and sank into the couch, pulling a throw blanket over my lap. My mind replayed the events of the gala: Rome’s arrogant smirk, Emily’s enigmatic smile, the whispers among the guests. And then Adrian’s face—tense, conflicted, and far too familiar with Emily for my comfort.The resemblance between Emily and me was undeniable, and it haunted me. It wasn’t just her appearance but the way she carried herself, her confidence, and the subtl
Adrian's POV I stared blankly at the file open on my desk. It had been hours since I texted Sarah, and though her response gave me some relief, the distance between us still felt like a gaping chasm.I glanced at my phone, half-hoping for another text from her, but the screen remained dark. Setting my coffee aside, I shifted my focus back to my laptop, where Daniel’s latest update sat in my inbox.The subject line read: Preliminary Findings – EmilyMy pulse quickened as I clicked it open."Mr Blackwood,I’ve started digging into Emily’s background as requested. While the deeper investigation will take some time, here’s what I’ve uncovered so far:Emily Harrison was adopted as a child through an agency called Bright Horizons. It is no more functional though.Records indicate she spent her early years in foster care before the adoption.Her adoptive parents, Margaret and Henry Walsh, relocated frequently for work, keeping a relatively low profile.Interestingly, the Walshs worked for R
Sarah’s POVI closed the door behind me with a little more force than I intended, my heart pounding against my ribs. Adrian’s words echoed in my mind, relentless and invasive.“Emily isn’t just some random woman, Sarah. She’s tied to you in ways we don’t understand yet.”I hurried down the hallway, barely noticing the luxurious decor that once seemed so foreign. My hands clenched into fists as I tried to suppress the whirlwind of emotions surging inside me.I hated how easily Adrian had peeled away my carefully constructed defenses, exposing doubts I hadn’t dared to face.No. Emily and I are not connected. She’s just a coincidence. That’s all.Yet, the nagging voice in the back of my mind refused to be silenced.I found myself at Nora’s door and paused. I hadn't been around when the driver brought her back home. A pang of guilt hit me. Nora didn’t need to see me like this. She needed a mother who could keep it together, not someone unraveling at the seams.She was asleep, her small b
Adrian’s POVThe late morning sun poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, highlighting the immaculate desk before me. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers steepled as I read through the latest reports from the Blackwood organization. Profits were steady, but cracks were forming, ones I couldn’t ignore.Harrison Industries — the one headed by Rome.The name alone was enough to set my teeth on edge. Rome and Daniella. Two vultures circling, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They’d been subtly undercutting Blackwood contracts, targeting our key clients, and planting rumors about financial instability.I thought it was something I could handle but the cracks were getting more visible. A knock at the door broke my thoughts.“Come in,” I said, straightening in my chair.Neville, my assistant, entered, his expression tense. “Sir, there’s something you need to see.”He handed me a tablet, and I swiped to the highlighted report. My stomach churned as I skimmed the c
Sarah’s POVThe evening air was crisp, but it did little to cool the fire burning in my chest. I sat in Nora’s room, perched on the edge of her bed as I watched her sleep. Her small hands clutched her stuffed bunny, her peaceful expression a stark contrast to the chaos raging in my mind.Adrian’s words replayed over and over, each one hitting like a hammer. “I was trying to protect you… to protect us.”How was I supposed to believe him? How could I trust someone who had hidden something so significant? Emily’s smug smile in that photo haunted me. She knew exactly what she was doing, and it was working.I tucked a stray curl behind Nora’s ear and stood, my heart heavy. I couldn’t let my emotions spill over into her life. She didn’t deserve to feel the weight of the tension between Adrian and me.But I couldn’t just ignore it, either.I walked to my room and shut the door behind me, leaning against it as I tried to steady my breathing. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I hesitated
Adrian’s POVI woke up early the next morning, determined to make Nora’s day easier so Sarah wouldn’t have to stress more than she already was. I made my way to Nora's room, where she was still sleeping."Hey, sunshine," I gently shook her awake. Her eyes fluttered open, and when she saw me, her lips stretched into a smile."Good morning, uncle Adrian," she murmured, latching onto me in a hug."Good morning, Nora. Did you sleep well?" I asked, patting her back."Hmmhmm," she hummed, snuggling closer."Why don't you go brush your teeth while I make breakfast?" I suggested, setting her down in front of the bathroom.She nodded eagerly and skipped off. I stood there for a moment, listening to the soft sound of her tiny footsteps on the floor as she made her way to the bathroom. A sense of calm washed over me as I watched her, her innocence and simplicity reminding me of what really mattered. For now, at least, I could still take care of her in the ways she needed.I made my way downstair
Sarah's POVThe morning air was still crisp as I watched Adrian and Nora leave. I sighed, leaning back against the counter, trying to gather my thoughts.As soon as the door shut behind them, Tasha cleared her throat, bringing my attention back to the present."I need to get going," she announced, stretching. "Afternoon shift at the hospital calls.""Right, of course," I replied. "Let me grab my things. I’ll drop you off on my way."Tasha raised an eyebrow. "You’re heading out too? Where to?"I hesitated for a moment, unsure how much I wanted to share. "It’s my first day freelancing for that company I told you about. Figured I’d work from a co-working space to get some quiet."Her expression softened with approval. "I’m glad you’re doing this. It’ll be good for you, Sarah."I offered her a small smile before heading upstairs to change into something more presentable. A soft blouse and tailored pants later, I grabbed my laptop bag and keys, and we were out the door.The ride to Tasha’s
Adrian's POV"I should go to bed now," Sarah let out, scrambling to her feet."Goodnight, Sarah," I muttered. The kiss lingered in my mind long after Sarah disappeared upstairs. I sat in the dimly lit living room, staring at the almost empty bottle of wine on the table, replaying the moment in my head.It wasn’t planned. I hadn’t intended for it to happen. Yet, as I leaned back on the couch, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was inevitable.Her quiet strength had always drawn me in. The way she carried herself, even when everything seemed to weigh her down, was remarkable. Tonight, though, something shifted. I’d seen a side of her I hadn’t before—vulnerable, open, and unguarded.I ran a hand down my face, letting out a heavy sigh."What are you doing, Adrian?" I muttered to myself.It wasn’t part of the deal. I wasn’t supposed to care—at least not like this. This arrangement was meant to be simple: a contract, a partnership. But every time I saw her with Nora or caught her smiling
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
Sarah’s POVThe call with Emily lingered in my mind long after it ended. Even as I moved around the house, trying to keep busy, her words echoed in my head. "I hated you for being her. The one who got to be loved."How was I supposed to process that?I placed Nora’s notes back on the table and walked to the window, staring out at the expanse of land that filled Adrian's estate. The sun had begun to dip, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. My fingers absentmindedly traced the rim of my mug.Emily had been angry—so angry that she had tried to hurt me. And yet, now that the truth had come out, all I could see was the pain underneath it.I took a deep breath, pressing my forehead against the cool glass.Could I really let her into my life?The doorbell rang, pulling me from my thoughts. I straightened, smoothing my hands over my dress before walking to the door. When I opened it, I wasn’t entirely surprised to see Tasha standing there, arms crossed, a knowing look in her eye
Adrian’s POVThe weight of the morning’s revelations settled over me like an iron cloak. Mark Spencer was making a move, and my father’s silence was just as dangerous as his action. I had been gone too long, wrapped up in Sarah, Nora, and the quiet normalcy I’d allowed myself to enjoy. Now, reality was knocking, and I had to answer.Julian stretched out in the chair across from my desk, arms behind his head, looking far too relaxed for someone about to sit in on a high-stakes meeting. “So, how exactly do you plan to convince Angela Cortez? Bribery? Blackmail? Flashing your devastating charm?”Neville shot him a look before turning back to me. “She’s pragmatic, but she also values stability. If we show her that you’re in control, she won’t take the risk of siding with Mark.”I nodded, skimming through the folder in front of me. Angela wasn’t an easy woman to sway. She’d built her reputation on being firm but fair, and she wouldn’t be bought. That meant I needed to give her something Ma
Sarah’s POVThe house felt different without Adrian, Julian and Nora. Quieter. Too quiet.I let out a breath, staring at the cup of tea in my hands. It was still warm, but I hadn’t taken more than a sip. My mind was elsewhere—on the conversation Adrian and I had before he left.“I could hire someone to help around the house.”He was worried about me, and I knew his concern came from a good place. But I didn’t need help. Or maybe… I didn’t want it. I was used to handling things on my own. Letting someone else step in felt foreign, like admitting I wasn’t strong enough.I stood, intending to tidy up, but a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. I reached out, gripping the counter to steady myself. It passed quickly, but not quickly enough.Maybe Adrian was right to be worried.Sighing, I pushed through it and go through some of Nora's note which she had left at home. As I placed them on the couch, my phone buzzed on the coffee table.Unknown Number.I hesitated before answering. “Hello?”A pa
Adrian’s POVThe morning passed in a blur of laughter and stolen glances. I could see the way Sarah tried to keep her guard up, but she wasn’t fooling anyone. Not me. Not Julian. And definitely not Nora, who watched us with the curiosity only a child could have.After breakfast, I set my mug down, leaning back against the counter. “I’ll be heading to the office today.”Sarah nodded, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Alright.”I glanced at Julian, who was still nursing his second cup of coffee like he had nowhere to be. “And you’re coming with me.”Julian scoffed. “That’s funny.”I stared him down. “You haven’t officially withdrawn from the company. As far as our dear father is concerned, you’re still very much a part of it.”Julian made a face. “Technicalities.”“Responsibilities,” I corrected. “If you’re going to quit, do it properly.”He groaned, setting his cup down dramatically. “Fine. But I’m not wearing a tie.”“Not my problem.” I smirked before turning back to Sarah. “Do you n