CHAPTER 137

Adrian’s POV

“What’s going on?” I demanded, my voice harsher than I intended.

My mother and I were sitting in the sunroom, the soft light filtering through the sheer curtains. She had called me over, saying she had something important to discuss. I thought it was another lecture about my responsibilities within the family business, but the grave expression on her face told me this was different.

“Adrian, look carefully,” she said, sliding a photograph across the glass table toward me.

I picked it up, my eyes narrowing as I recognized the two figures in the picture. My father, looking as stern as ever, was seated across from Sophia in a café. They seemed to be in the middle of an intense conversation.

“Why is Dad with Sophia?” I asked with dread.

My mother sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Adrian, your father has certain expectations of you. He believes that you should follow his lead, and if you don’t… well, let’s just say it might not turn out well for Sophia.”

A chill ran down my