CHAPTER 243

ADAM’S POV

I sit with Stella and Neal at our usual café, the morning sun casting a warm glow over our table. The comforting hum of the city around us feels like a balm after the stormy events of yesterday. We talk about what happened, dissecting every detail with a mix of incredulity and fascination.

Stella, ever the curious one, turns to me with a knowing look. She asks about me and Ethan, her eyebrows raises in anticipation. I tell her the truth—that it was all just an act, a ruse to get back at Lydia, his ex. There’s a moment of silence as she processes this, then she sighs dramatically, her tone a mix of sincerity and teasing.

“Pity… He seemed like a good match for you.”

I laugh, shaking my head. The idea of Ethan and me being a real couple is amusing in its improbability. Stella always has a knack for romanticizing things, seeing potential love stories where there are none. We share a knowing glance, and the conversation shifts to gossip about the aftermath of the party.

Neal, ev