After finally selecting three dresses, Sophia and I made our way to the changing rooms with arms full. The first one I tried on was a deep red satin gown that clung in all the right places and flowed gracefully as I moved. The moment I slipped into it, I knew it was something special. It hugged my curves and shimmered under the boutique lights, catching Sophia's eye immediately.She let out a low whistle. "Girl, that dress was made for you. I swear Adrian’s jaw will drop when he sees you in that."I glanced in the mirror, struck by how the fabric seemed to make my skin glow. “You really think so?” I asked, striking a little pose with a laugh.“Absolutely. Trust me, the man’s not going to know what hit him,” Sophia said, nudging me with a grin.Feeling encouraged, I tried on the second dress—this one an elegant emerald green with a subtle slit up the side and a flattering neckline. I stepped out of the dressing room, and Sophia’s jaw actually dropped this time.“Okay, that’s it,” she d
I couldn’t help but wonder what Adrian might be thinking as he gave me that mischievous look, his eyes glinting with amusement. He leaned back, arms crossed, and asked again, “So, what exactly are you planning to offer me?”I laughed nervously, feeling a mixture of playful excitement and curiosity in his gaze. “What do you want, Adrian?” I asked, trying to gauge what he was hinting at. “You’re already one of the wealthiest men in the city. What could I possibly give you that would actually please you?”He shrugged, his smirk widening as though he knew exactly how to keep me on edge. “That's for you to figure out,” he replied smoothly, his tone carrying that ever-present teasing quality. “But you’ve still got some time before the event. Surprise me.”I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes with a smirk of my own. “How about… a lap dance and a kiss?” I teased, raising an eyebrow as I watched his reaction carefully.He chuckled, a deep, rich laugh that was both amused and challenging. “Is t
Gregory chuckled, his eyes glinting with a hint of malice. “No need to rush,” he said smoothly. “Knight Enterprises is in… good hands.” His gaze slid over to Jordan, who was standing nearby, smugly adjusting his cufflinks, as if he were already in Adrian’s shoes.Gregory’s attention snapped back to Adrian. “By the way, Adrian, don’t you think the wheelchair might… attract attention? What would people say if, let’s say, a bolt came loose?” His smile widened, clearly enjoying his attempt to undermine Adrian’s confidence.I clenched my fists, anger simmering. Adrian’s grip on the armrest tightened, but he remained silent, his eyes fixed firmly on Gregory. I couldn’t let him stand there and take it.“You know, Gregory,” I said, stepping forward, my voice steady, “maybe you should be more concerned about your son’s actions than Adrian’s wheelchair.”Gregory’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. “And who exactly are you to speak to me like that?” he sneered.I met his g
Bethany leaned in closer with a sigh, looking at me warmly. “Well, don’t keep me waiting too long. I’ll be expecting good news soon!” she teased, before a man in a suit approached her and whispered something in her ear.She gave us both a quick smile. “Duty calls, it seems. You two enjoy yourselves. But not too much fun, all right?” With a wink, she left.Adrian looked over at me, still red in the face. “I’m so sorry about that. My mother’s… she gets like this when she’s had a bit too much to drink.”I laughed. “Don’t worry. I actually like her.”He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, she’s only being nice to you because she wants a grandchild. Trust me, she can be… intense. She usually doesn’t warm up this fast.”I smirked. “Well, at least she’s a little better than my stepmom, Vivian.”That made him laugh, and the tension melted from his face. “You know, my parents were both strong-willed. When my father was alive, they’d argue constantly. He was strict, always about business.” Adrian paused, a
As Adrian stood up, a collective gasp swept across the room, the shock and amazement unmistakable on every face. For a moment, there was absolute silence, as if everyone was holding their breath, trying to comprehend what they were witnessing. And then, the applause began, a low rumble that quickly grew into a roar of admiration and astonishment. People clapped, cheered, and even rose from their seats, unable to contain their excitement at seeing Adrian stand for the first time in what felt like forever.The whispers and murmurs of admiration became a hum in the room, each voice adding to the chorus of praise and disbelief. The crowd buzzed with excitement, even after Adrian carefully sat back down. It was as though he had ignited a spark, a beacon of hope and inspiration, and the energy in the room seemed almost electric. As guests returned to their seats, still casting glances Adrian's way, they resumed their drinks and conversations, but the admiration in their eyes lingered. I cou
After we were done, we slipped into the limo and settled into the seats, I couldn’t shake the words Adrian had said back there, the ones about family and everyone in the room being important to him, but most especially the ones about me—dis I really meant so much to him?. I kept replaying them in my mind, wondering if he really meant them or if it was just a part of his public performance. With everything going on, it was hard to tell. Part of me wanted to believe every word he said, but I couldn’t ignore the nagging doubt in the back of my mind. Was it genuine, or was he just selling an image?Adrian seemed to pick up on my silence. He glanced over, studying me for a moment before asking, “What’s on your mind?”Startled, I quickly pulled myself out of my thoughts. “Oh, nothing,” I said, trying to sound casual. “I was just…thinking about how awful Gregory can be. He always has some agenda, doesn’t he?”Adrian raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk forming as he settled back into his seat.
Our server came by, and we ended up ordering an assortment—mini sandwiches, fries, a milkshake, and a slice of chocolate cake that looked like it could solve any problem in the world. Once the food started arriving, I didn’t hold back, finally letting myself enjoy every bite. Adrian watched me with an amused look, shaking his head as I reached for a fry. “You really were hungry, huh?” “Hey, you said it was a snack night. Might as well enjoy it,” I said, shrugging and popping a fry into my mouth. He chuckled, taking a sip of his own drink. “I can’t argue with that.” We talked about everything and nothing, sharing stories and laughing as we ate. I told him about a few embarrassing childhood moments, and he shared a story about sneaking out as a teenager, getting caught, and having to do all the chores for a week as punishment. It felt natural and easy, like we’d known each other for years. At one point, I noticed a bit of whipped cream on his lip from his milkshake and laughed,
The next morning, I woke up with a burst of excitement. It was one of those days when everything seemed to click. I was really starting to feel comfortable in this place, and the possibilities ahead filled me with energy. Things had been moving quickly, and for once, I was looking forward to what was to come. I could finally see a future where I was in control, where I had a chance to make something of myself.I walked into the kitchen to make breakfast, my mind already racing with what the day could bring. I had so many things to get done, but for now, I needed to eat. Just as I was about to grab the cereal, my phone rang. The number was unfamiliar, and for a split second, I hesitated. Then, curiosity took over, and I picked up.“Hello?” I answered, my voice steady, but there was a hint of curiosity.“Good morning. This is Donald, your father’s vice president,” a deep, calm voice replied on the other end of the line.“Oh, good morning,” I greeted him, surprised but trying to keep my
I arrived in the new city just as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the skyline with shades of orange and purple. Everything about this place felt unfamiliar, which was exactly what I needed—a fresh start. I had nothing but a suitcase, a dwindling bank account, and a fierce determination to protect the life growing inside me. The chaos I’d left behind was like a dark shadow, but here, I was resolved to step into the light.The first few weeks were tough. I took on odd jobs—waitressing during the day and helping out at a small bookstore in the evenings. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was honest work, and it gave me a sense of stability, however fragile. I found a small studio apartment on the edge of the city, barely big enough to turn around in, but it was mine. At night, I’d sit by the window, staring out at the city lights, trying to imagine the kind of life I wanted to build for my child and me.One evening, as I walked home from the bookstore, a strange sensation crept over
I sat on the hard bench at the nearly deserted train station, clutching my ticket like it was my lifeline. The soft hum of the city faded into the background as the occasional train announcement echoed through the terminal. I could hear the distant rumble of an approaching train, but the sound did nothing to ease my nerves. My heart raced with anticipation, fear, and an overwhelming sense of finality. This was it—the moment I was finally breaking free.Sophia had wanted to come with me, but I’d insisted on doing this alone. I needed to prove to myself that I could. My suitcase sat at my feet, a silent witness to the chaos of the past few days. I tried to focus on the end goal—a new city, a new life, a clean slate—but the knot in my stomach refused to loosen.I glanced at my phone. No new messages. I had turned off location sharing and left no clues about where I was going. I thought I’d done everything right to ensure a clean break, but the feeling of being watched lingered, a persist
I stood in the middle of Sophia’s living room, staring at the suitcase that held what little I was taking with me. It didn’t feel real yet. Everything I owned—everything that tied me to this city, to my past—was reduced to a single piece of luggage. Sophia was in the kitchen, finishing a phone call, likely confirming arrangements for my flight. My heart pounded as I tried to ignore the growing sense of unease.This was the right decision. I had to remind myself of that. Staying here meant constant battles with Adrian and James. Neither of them could accept my boundaries, and the tension between them had become unbearable. I needed to leave—not just for my own sanity, but for the sake of my unborn child.Sophia re-entered the room, her expression calm but serious. "Everything’s set. Your flight leaves at 8 a.m. tomorrow. We’ll head to the airport early, just in case."I nodded, sitting down on the couch. "Thank you, Sophia. For everything. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.
The apartment felt eerily quiet after Adrian and James left. For the first time in days, I allowed myself to sit still, letting the tension ease from my shoulders. Sophia handed me a cup of tea, her expression calm but concerned."You know they’ll be back," she said after a long moment, breaking the silence.I nodded, staring down at the steam rising from the cup. "I know. And that’s why I need to leave."Sophia’s brow furrowed. "Are you sure about this, Lana? Running away might not solve everything. You’ve built something here—your career, your independence. Do you really want to give that up?"I set the cup down and leaned back against the couch, closing my eyes. "I don’t want to, but what choice do I have? Adrian won’t stop until he gets answers about the baby, and James... he’s just complicating things even more. I need space—real space—to figure out what’s best for me and the baby."Sophia sighed, her hands resting on her lap. "If you’re sure, I’ll help you. But this isn’t going
The knock at the door came just minutes after Adrian had left. I was still trying to catch my breath, leaning against the couch as Sophia sat beside me, shaking her head in disbelief."Did he seriously just say he’s not giving up on you?" Sophia muttered. "The man doesn’t understand boundaries."I sighed. "I don’t have the energy for this, Soph. I just want to leave and never deal with him again."Before she could reply, the knock came again, more insistent this time. Sophia stood, her brow furrowed in irritation. "If that’s Adrian again, I’m calling the police."She swung the door open, ready to unleash her frustration, but her words caught in her throat. Instead of Adrian, James stood there, his face a mix of anger and concern."Where is he?" James demanded, stepping past Sophia without an invitation."Excuse me?" Sophia snapped, trying to block his way. "What makes you think you can just barge in here?""Adrian," James said curtly, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on me
The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on me like a suffocating fog. My mind was still racing from Adrian’s sudden appearance at Sophia’s apartment door the night before. I hadn’t slept; every time I closed my eyes, I imagined him barging into my life again, refusing to let me go.As I sat on the couch with a warm mug of tea that Sophia had made for me, I tried to push the memories of Adrian’s voice out of my head. Yet, deep down, I knew Adrian wouldn’t give up so easily. He wasn’t the type to walk away, especially now that he thought he had something to fight for. The thought made me shiver.Sophia plopped down next to me, her own cup in hand. “You look exhausted. Did you even get any sleep?”I shook my head, staring into the amber liquid. “How could I? Every time I start to think I’m getting my life together, Adrian shows up and turns everything upside down. And now he knows... about the baby.”Sophia gave me a sympathetic look. “He’s not going to stop, you know. Yo
I left the hospital against medical advice, my mind spinning with the weight of what had just happened. I couldn’t face Adrian or James again, not now, not with everything so raw and chaotic. Wrapping my coat tighter around me, I hailed a cab, giving Sophia’s address to the driver. She was the only person I trusted to help me think clearly.By the time I arrived at her apartment, my hands were trembling. I knocked frantically, praying she was home. Moments later, Sophia opened the door, her expression shifting from surprise to concern the moment she saw me.“Lana? What are you doing here? You should be resting—weren’t you in the hospital?” she asked, stepping aside to let me in.I walked past her into the living room, dropping onto her couch. “I couldn’t stay there. Adrian was hovering, and James... they both know, Sophia. They know I’m pregnant.”Her eyes widened as she slowly closed the door. “Wait, what? How did they find out?”“The doctor came in while they were arguing. He just..
The sound of the door clicking shut was the last thing I remembered before the world faded into darkness. When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital room. The sterile white walls, the faint hum of medical machines, and the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor made it clear where I was. I blinked a few times, trying to process what had happened.Then I saw Adrian. He sat by my bedside, his hands buried in his hair, looking more disheveled than I’d ever seen him. The sight of him stirred a mix of emotions I wasn’t ready to confront—anger, sadness, and, annoyingly, a flicker of concern."Adrian?" My voice came out raspy, barely audible.His head shot up, relief flooding his features. "Lana. You’re awake."I tried to sit up, but a sharp ache in my head stopped me. Adrian was by my side in an instant, gently pressing a hand to my shoulder to keep me still."Don’t move too much," he said softly. "You fainted at the gala. You’ve been out for hours."I stared at him, trying to gather m
As my eyes fluttered open, the stark white ceiling came into view, and the steady beep of monitors filled my ears. My body felt heavy, as though I’d been dragged through a storm. I blinked slowly, my gaze shifting to the figure slumped in a chair beside my bed. Adrian.His disheveled appearance told me he hadn’t left my side, and the guilt etched across his face was impossible to miss. When he realized I was awake, he sat upright, his eyes searching mine."Lana," he breathed, relief evident in his tone. "You’re awake. Thank God."I shifted slightly, wincing at the dull ache in my body. "What happened?""You collapsed," he said softly. "At the gala. I... I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t just leave you there."The memory of the evening came rushing back, and with it, a flood of emotions. The stress, his persistence, the way my body had finally given in.Before I could respond, the door burst open, and James stormed in, his eyes blazing with fury. He didn’t waste a second."What the