Chapter 5

Sarah's POV 

I stepped out of my bedroom, about to head out when Adrian emerged from the kitchen, his bare chest glistening with a sheen of sweat, sweatpants hanging low on his hips. I knew he must have been working out. That was his usual morning routine before breakfast. Funny how I'd memorized his routine when we'd only been married for a few days. My eyes were instantly drawn to his toned physique, and I felt a flush creep up my cheeks.

“Where are you going?” he asked, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he took a step closer.

“I see you're enjoying the view,” he remarked. I snapped out of my thoughts, taking a step back and feigning disgust. “No, eww!” 

He chuckled, clearly amused by my reaction. “Seriously, do you like it?”

“Adrian!” I protested, trying to regain my composure. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

“I’m supposed to be on my honeymoon since I got married just last weekend,” he replied smoothly. “Now, don’t try to change the subject. Where are you going?”

“None of your business,” I shot back, attempting to walk away.

He tugged me back by my hand, and I collided with his chest. The warmth radiating from him was almost overwhelming as I braced myself against him. “Let me go,” I insisted.

“Not until you answer me,” he said firmly, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race.

“I want to go and see my daughter,” I replied, withering under his smoldering gaze. 

“She’s well taken care of,” Adrian replied reassuringly, his tone softening. “On her way to full recovery. You don’t need to worry.”

“I still want to see her,” I insisted, feeling the urgency in my chest.

“Alright then. I’ll go with you. A proper introduction is underway,” he said, his expression shifting to one of determination.

“No.” The protest escaped my lips before I could stop it, making Adrian halt midstep. 

“Why not?” he asked, a hint of confusion crossing his face.

“W-well… she… I…” I stuttered, trying to find the right words. 

“What? What is it?” he pressed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied me. 

I hesitated, feeling the weight of my thoughts. How could I explain that introducing him to Nora felt too soon? That it was complicated? “It’s just… she’s been through a lot. I don’t want to overwhelm her with someone new right now.” My voice softened, but I could see the flicker of understanding in his eyes. 

Adrian took a step closer again, his presence both comforting and intimidating. “I get that, Sarah. But I want to be there for you both. She deserves to know who her mother married - even though it isn't real.” 

“I just need time,” I responded hoping he would understand. 

***

As we stepped into the grand hall of the gala, I felt a rush of nerves and excitement. The blinding lights from the press on the red carpet almost overwhelmed me, but it was nothing compared to the beauty of the women around me. Each one seemed to stun more than the last, and for a moment, I felt a pang of insecurity; but then I glanced down at my stunning blue mermaid dress, tailored to perfection. It hugged my curves in all the right places, and I silently thanked Adrian’s wardrobe manager for choosing it. It complemented his white suit perfectly.

“Did I mention that you're absolutely breathtaking in this dress?” Adrian asked, his arm resting possessively around my waist as he led me further into the hall.

“You didn't use that adjective but yes, you did,” I replied, trying to maintain a calm exterior despite the whirlwind of faces and voices around me. He introduced me to friends and business partners, each one gushing about how beautiful my dress was and how we made a beautiful couple.

“Sarah, you look absolutely gorgeous!” one woman exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. “I'd like for us to hang out sometime.”

“Thank you,” I managed to say, feeling my cheeks heat up under the attention. Inside, I was overwhelmed—so many faces, so many names to remember—but I forced myself to smile and nod graciously.

This was our first official outing since our wedding and Adrian, far from the perfect gentleman, took me unawares.

As Adrian guided me through the crowd with confidence, I could feel the weight of their gazes on us, making me stiffen. “Just breathe,” he whispered as he leaned closer. “You’re doing great.”

As we moved deeper into the hall, I caught snippets of conversations about business deals and charity auctions, but all I could focus on was the way Adrian’s presence steadied me amidst this sea of glamour.

Despite my nervousness, a part of me relished being by his side—feeling like I belonged in this world of elegance and sophistication.

“Let’s find a quieter spot,” Adrian suggested after a while, sensing my discomfort. “I know this can be overwhelming.”

“Yeah, that would be nice,” I replied gratefully as he led me away from the throng of guests. For the first time that evening, I felt a bit more at ease, knowing that as long as I had him by my side, I could face anything this gala threw at me.

“Would you like a drink?” Adrian asked,  looking down at me.

I nodded, anything that would calm my nerves. “Yes, please.”

He smiled and made his way to the bar, but before he could reach it, a client stopped him, pulling him into a conversation. I sighed, watching him engage with the man, and murmured to myself, “That might take a while.” Feeling restless, I wandered off into the crowd.

As I navigated through the sea of elegantly dressed guests, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I was met by a tall, beautiful woman in a striking yellow dress. Her bright smile could put the sun to shame.

“Hi?” I greeted hesitantly, unsure of her intentions.

“I can see why he picked you,” she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You have this innocent aura and you’re easy on the eyes but not his type.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “What are you talking about?”

Her gaze shifted past me, and I turned to see Adrian across the room. My heart sank as I realized this must be one of his numerous admirers. “If you’re talking about my husband,” I said firmly, “you can back off now. He’s married to me and will never accommodate a mistress.”

She snickered, her laughter light and airy. “Never say never, honey.” Before I could ask her who she was or say anything more, she spun on her heel and disappeared into the crowd.

I stood there for a moment, my mind racing with confusion. What was that all about?