Emily sat curled on the edge of the bed,the soft sheets untouched behind her.
The room was dim,curtains half drawn,letting in a weak,golden glow from the setting sun.But she hadn’t moved in hours.
The silence in the room was absolute.
But her mind wasn’t.
It was loud.Loud with the sound of Mike’s voice echoing—
“You’re not even their real daughter.”
At first,she didn’t believe it.She couldn’t.
But the memories…they came back too fast.
The way her parents had always been distant.
The way they never really celebrated her milestones.
How they didn’t react when she got accepted to the top design program.
Not even a proud smile.Not even a simple“congratulations.”
Her mind kept circling back—again and again—to the quiet way her parents had always treated her.
Not cruel.
But n
Adrian pushed open the bedroom door. The air inside was still,heavy with silence and the faint scent of something medicinal. His gaze landed on the bed immediately. Emily was curled up on her side,blankets tangled around her limbs.Her cheeks were streaked with dried tears,and her skin looked flushed—too flushed. He was at her side in an instant. “Emily…”he murmured,brushing his hand across her forehead.It was burning hot. He turned,pulling his phone from his pocket.“Get a thermometer and fever meds,”he instructed his assistant.“Now.” Minutes later,the assistant returned with everything,handing it over without a word. “Thanks.Leave us,”Adrian said quietly. Alone,Adrian gently coaxed the thermometer between her lips.Her skin was damp with sweat,her breathing uneven. 100.9°F. Not dangerously high,but enough to worry him. He opened the medicine packet,then carefully helped her sit up.Her eyes fluttered open,hazy and unfocused. “You’re back,”she whispered,her vo
He lingered there,his lips brushing over the delicate swell with a reverence that stole her breath. Then—his tongue traced a lazy circle around her,coaxing a soft,broken sound from her lips. A whisper of his name escaped her as he continued,each movement tender,deliberate,drawing a response from her she couldn’t control. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths,the room thick with heat and quiet tension. Her breathing was soft and uneven, the air between them warm and still. The room had gone quiet, wrapped in the hush that always seemed to follow something unspoken. Adrian moved slowly, like he was still waiting to be sure this was real. His lips brushed along her collarbone, then lower, tracing the line down the center of her chest. Each kiss was gentle, unhurried—like he wasn’t in a rush to get anywhere, just taking his time, being careful with her. Emily’s breath grew shallow,her chest rising and falling beneath him.Her hand found his shoulder,fingers tightening sl
Her fingers clung to the sheets,her eyes fluttering closed as a soft moan escaped her lips,unbidden. It was as if her entire body had been lit from within,the warmth building and building until it crested—breaking over her like a tide she couldn’t stop,even if she tried. And she didn’t want to. The world blurred around her,sound fading,thought fading—everything reduced to the electric rush between heartbeats and breath. She barely registered the shift in his body until she felt it—his presence,closer now,heavier,his breathing rough against her skin.There was something unmistakably tense in his stillness,as if he were waiting,holding himself back with every ounce of control he had. Her eyes fluttered open,hazy and full of something she didn’t quite have a name for. Adrian’s gaze met hers—intense,searching. And without a word,he leaned in,brushing a kiss to her temple.His voice was barely audible,rough and strained. “Tell me to stop.” But she didn’t. She couldn’t.
With a quiet breath,Adrian shifted—his hands gliding down to the curve of her waist,then lower,lifting her gently but firmly into a new angle that made the world tilt with it. Emily gasped,her breath hitching as the sensation changed,intensified. Her hands clutched at the sheets,knuckles white with the effort to stay grounded,even as her body responded with a helpless urgency she couldn't contain. Each motion sent a ripple through her—low and aching,centered deep in her core,radiating outward like heat curling through her spine.Her lower belly tightened instinctively,muscles fluttering under the rhythm he set,as though every part of her was tuned only to him. She felt her lower abdomen pumping rhythmically. She could barely think.Could barely breathe. It wasn’t just the way he moved—it was the way he held her,the way he breathed her in,as if she were something he had longed for in silence and now finally held in both hands. Her name left his lips like a prayer—raw and
The room was dark and quiet, save for the soft sound of Emily’s breathing. She had drifted into sleep, her body curled gently against Adrian, her cheek resting on his arm. He watched her for a long moment, her features softened by exhaustion and the glow of the moonlight.Carefully, he slid out from under her without waking her.He pulled the covers over her exposed shoulders, tucking them in with a tenderness that came from somewhere deep inside.Then he stepped out of the room, walking silently down the hall to his study. The city lights spilled in through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the sleek furniture.Adrian picked up his phone and dialed a number.The line clicked.“Mr. Blackwood,” came the voice on the other end. “Any further action on the A Design security breach?”Adrian’s voice was low, clipped. “Continue the investigation. I want a full report on every vulnerability. Especially the ones Mike tried to cover up.”There was a pause, then: “Understood. Should
Emily returned from the bathroom with her damp hair tucked behind her ears, a towel draped loosely around her neck. When she stepped into the bedroom, she paused. The small breakfast table near the window had already been set. A silver tray held a bowl of warm congee, a few side dishes, and a cup of ginger tea, still steaming. Adrian was seated nearby, scrolling through his tablet with casual ease. She blinked, surprised.“You…set this up?” He looked up, his expression calm.“I asked the kitchen to bring it up.” Emily hesitated, then smiled faintly.“Thank you.” Adrian nodded. Then, as if remembering something, he added,“By the way, your phone rang while you were gone. I answered—it was someone named Claire? She said she’s from your design team.” Emily froze for a half-second, then relaxed and picked up her spoon.“Oh, Claire. She’s nice. Did she say anything?” Adrian leaned back slightly, watching her reaction—maybe expecting more. But when she stayed composed, he onl
Emily lay on his side, the soft hush of the evening wrapping around the room. The shadows on the ceiling shifted gently as the breeze moved through the curtains. She hadn’t spoken in a while. Adrian, lying beside her, finally broke the silence. “You’re still awake,”he said quietly. Emily hesitated.“I’m just…thinking.” “About?” She turned her head slightly, catching the faint outline of his profile in the dim light.“Us,”she admitted, voice barely audible. For a beat, he didn’t respond. Then—“I see.” “I mean…”she searched for the words.“It’s just…things feel different now. We’re still pretending, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like pretending.” Adrian’s gaze remained steady, though his voice dropped just a touch.“It doesn’t feel like it to me either.” Her breath caught, her heartbeat fluttering in the silence that followed. Then he shifted slightly, reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair from her cheek. His fingers lingered, soft and warm. She shifted sli
The orgasm crashed through her like a riptide, wringing a broken cry from her throat. Adrian gentled her through it, his mouth softening but not stopping until she pushed weakly at his shoulders. As she floated back to awareness, she felt him press a kiss to her damp stomach before shifting up to gather her against his chest. Her cheek landed on his pounding heartbeat. Neither of them spoke for a long time. "Sleep,"he said, tucking the covers around them both. His voice was rough, his body still visibly aroused beneath the sheets, but his arms around her were firm. Emily traced idle patterns on his collarbone."What about you—" His fingers laced through hers, bringing her hand to his lips."This wasn't about me." The room had long since settled into a heavy hush, the air warm with the remnants of shared heat. Emily lay still, her head on his shoulder, but sleep didn’t come. She couldn’t stop thin
Emily blinked, then laughed softly.“I was going to wait until everything was ready to reach out. But yes, I am. And if any of you want in, I’d love to have you.” Word spread like a spark on dry kindling. Members from A group, B group—familiar faces with eager eyes—turned toward her, nodding, asking if it was true. Emily nodded.“It’s not fancy yet. We’re still laying the foundation. But if you’re willing to take a leap with me…” “You don’t even have to ask,”Lily said.“We’re in.” Emily smiled. It didn’t matter what she had left behind anymore. Because what she was building—was hers. - After wrapping things up at A Design, Emily headed out and got into her car. Emily had only been driving for about five minutes when it happened. A screech of tires. The sudden slam of metal against metal. A car veered sharply into hers, clipping the side mirror and jolting her vehicle with a force that sent her heart lurching into her throat. She froze. The world spun for a sec
Adrian didn’t speak right away. But when he did,his voice was colder than steel. “I see.” Someone near the table let out a shaky breath.Another man looked like he was considering crawling under the table. He had expected this. The moment someone—somewhere—would try to drag Emily’s name through the mud. Adrian voice still quiet—but with a sharpness that sliced through the air like a scalpel.“Let me make this clear.” Lila stayed silent.The others barely breathed. “It was me who pursued Emily.Me who asked her to marry me.She said yes.” A pause. “If anyone in that room still has questions about my wife,”Adrian continued,each word deliberate,“they’re welcome to bring them to my office at E International.Tomorrow.In person.” There was a click. Call ended. Lila set the phone down on the table—slow,deliberate.Like she was laying down a weapon. The room was dead silent. No one moved.No one spoke. Someone—somewhere—exhaled the breath they hadn’t realized they w
More murmurs. Another woman nearby raised a brow.“Yeah, sounds like she knew exactly what she wanted.” Just then— The door slammed open. Conversation halted mid-sentence. Glasses stilled. Heads turned. Lila stood in the doorway, framed by the dim glow of the hallway behind her. She was all sharp lines and darker edges—long black leather dress hugging her frame, stilettos clicking like a warning shot against the polished wood floor. And her face— That unmistakable bone structure, those piercing eyes, the cool poise in her expression. There was no mistaking it. Adrian Blackwood’s sister. Her gaze swept the room, cutting through the murmurs and glances like a scalpel. It didn’t search. It landed—straight on Vivian. Lila arched a brow, the corners of her mouth lifting in something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Sorry to interrupt,”she said, voice smooth as silk but cold as steel.“But it sounded like someone was name-dropping my family.” The room went still. Chairs
“I saw them today and thought of you,”she said.“They just dropped this morning. Limited edition.” Adrian pulled one out, inspecting it.“You really have a thing for giving me these.” She shrugged, lips tugging into a soft smile.“You look good in them.” He set the box down and pulled her closer by the waist.“Then I guess you’re officially responsible for putting them on me from now on.” Her smile widened. “Deal.” Emily laughed softly.“Then let me practice. I’ve never actually put cufflinks on anyone before.” Adrian arched a brow, amused.“What an honor,”he murmured, and casually popped open the ones he was wearing.“Go on. Use these.” She took the new set from the box, fingers careful as she slid them through the cuffs. Her brows furrowed slightly in concentration—Adrian didn’t take his eyes off her. Then his phone buzzed. he answered with one hand. “Hey,”he said, voice warm but casual. The voice on the other end was easy, familiar—his longtime friend, Nate. “M
Emily let out a soft hum, eyes still closed.“I should be asking you that. Your office might need hazard pay.” Adrian chuckled quietly, the sound low and warm in his chest.“I’ll take the damage. Worth it.” They stayed like that for another long minute. No rush. No obligations. Just a quiet moment suspended in their own world. Then finally, Emily shifted slightly, resting her chin on his shoulder and glancing down at the floor where a few papers had fallen. “You think your team heard anything?” Adrian smirked.“Not unless they’ve got microphones in the carpet.” She rolled her eyes, swatting his chest lightly before going still again. Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen—Lila(Video Call)—then looked at Adrian. He gave a slight nod, lips curving. She answered. “Lila!”Emily smiled, tilting the camera so her friend could see her clearly. “I’m back!”she beamed.“Finally. My professor dragged me across five countries, three labs, and one very haunted guest hou
She shifted slightly, her knees pressing into the cushions on either side of his hips, dress hiked just high enough for her to feel the warmth of him beneath the fabric. Every brush of her thighs, every subtle movement of his hands on her back, created a rhythm that felt deeper than anything physical. Her breath stuttered as her hips moved—tentative at first, testing the pressure, the closeness, the friction that bloomed between them even through layers of clothes. Emily sinking her teeth into his lower lip, just shy of pain, and felt the shudder that rolled through him. His hands abandoned their teasing path to grip her waist instead, hauling her flush against him until the hard line of his arousal pressed unmistakably between her thighs. The noise she made was swallowed by his kiss, deeper now, hungrier. His tongue swept against hers in a rhythm that had her arching into him, her fingers fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. She needed him bare—needed to feel his skin un
Emily blinked again. It wasn’t until she stepped into the elevator that Emily realized just how far ahead Adrian had thought. As the doors began to close, she glanced back toward the design department’s lounge. On the long communal table, rows of pastries and coffee cups were laid out neatly—perfectly arranged, clearly just delivered. The packaging was from one of the trendiest bakeries in the city, the kind with lines out the door and a waitlist for catering. By the time she reached the 16th floor, Emily had already tucked away a dozen thanks she wanted to give him. She knocked once at his office door. “Come in,”came Adrian’s voice—cool, clipped, and all business. It threw her off for a second. It wasn’t the tone he usually used with her. She pushed the door open. He was at his desk, a tablet in hand, sleeves rolled up just enough to show his watch. The skyline glowed faintly behind him. But t
Mike’s head turned just slightly, like the question had cracked something open. Vivian smiled faintly to herself. Let him unravel. Because if Emily was truly gone—if she had thrown Mike away for good—then eventually, he would need someone to lean on. Someone who didn’t leave. And her family’s company? It could be exactly what Mike’s needed next. Strategic. Beneficial. Mutual. She folded her hands sweetly in her lap, playing the part of the patient one. The loyal one. Mike sat in stunned silence, the buzz of alcohol starting to fade as Vivian’s words blurred into background noise. Then, without looking at her, he said quietly—firmly— “Vivian. Let’s not see each other anymore.” She blinked.“What…what do you mean?” “I’m going to explain everything to her. She’ll forgive me.” Vivian froze, her voice sharp.“Explain what?” Mike’s eyes stayed on the table.“If I keep seeing you, E
Mike sat on the cold bench in the police station, jaw tight, wrists red from the cuffs they’d only just removed. He hadn’t spoken since they brought him in. Mike could hardly breathe. He used to be the one she waited for. Used to be the one she laughed with, called late at night, told everything to. And now… Now she looked at another man like that. His chest burned. His throat felt tight. But even then—he told himself, if she came back… If she just showed up and said she made a mistake… He’d take her back. He’d forgive all of it. Adrian. The wedding ring. The silence. The lies. He’d erase everything just to have her again. The heavy door creaked open behind him. Lucas stepped inside, his usual confidence nowhere to be found. He held a file in one hand, keys in the other, his expression caught between frustration and pi