Adrian POVShe looked down at the shirt, her expression carefully neutral. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, and that only made my thoughts spiral further. My mind raced, grasping at every possible explanation for why she was wearing it.Maybe she just likes wearing men's shirts.Or perhaps itโs some new fashion trend Iโm unaware of.But none of those possibilities made sense to me. Not with Sarah. Not with the past we shared.Her voice broke through my chaotic thoughts, soft yet firm, carrying an undertone of finality. "Adrian, just sign the papers and leave."There was a weariness in her words, almost as if she were pleading to avoid another conflict. For a fleeting moment, I considered doing just that signing the damn papers, walking away, and freeing both of us from this endless tug-of-war.It shouldn't matter to me anymore. Her personal life was no longer my concern.I picked up the pen, ready to scrawl my signature and be done with it when I caught movement from the corner
Adrian POV"She's still my wife. Not his. I have a right to her."The thought gnawed at me, relentless and savage. Behind that closed door, anything could be happening. The image of Sarah willingly choosing him, letting him into the spaces that were once mine, made my blood boil. My fists clenched at my sides as jealousy twisted into a dark, bitter knot in my chest.But I reminded myself of the cold, inescapable truth โ she wasn't my concern anymore. I had signed the divorce papers. Soon enough, in a matter of months, I would be free to build a life with Jessica and our child.I repeated this fact in my head like a desperate mantra, trying to dull the ache that gnawed at my pride. Sarah's choices shouldn't matter to me anymore. They wouldn't.Taking a steadying breath, I straightened my clothes and forced my emotions back into their cage. With every ounce of strength I had left, I turned on my heel, pushed aside the searing pain, and walked out of her house without looking back. As I
Adrian P.O.V.It had been an hour since Baldwin left my office, but I was still staring at the evidence laid out before me. The documents seemed to mock my foolishness, each detail a bitter reminder of how far I had let my doubts and ego drive me.A wave of guilt hit me hard, knocking the air out of my lungs as I thought about all the terrible things I had done to her.What have I done to her?I punished Sarah for things she never did.She had pleaded with me, insisted on her innocence time and time again, but I hadn't listened. I had been blinded by jealousy and my insecurities. Instead of protecting her, I had been the one to cause her the most pain.My chest tightened as I recalled the way I had ignored her tears, dismissed her desperate cries for understanding, and, worst of all, forced myself into her life in ways that were beyond unforgivable. I clenched my fists, the memory of my cruelty making my skin crawl.I pulled at my hair in frustration, the weight of my actions pressing
Adrian POV"Stop lying, Jessica. I heard everything. Tell me the truth why did you fake your pregnancy?" I demanded, my voice trembling with fury.Jessica's face turned pale, but she quickly tried to regain composure. "I... I only faked it so you'd come back to me and divorce Sarah," she stammered tensely, her voice faltering.The confession hit me like a punch to the gut. My fists clenched, and I struggled to keep my composure. "What about the lies about Sarah's affair? The stories you fed me? I know the truth now, Jessica. I know you've been lying for years, so don't give me this bullshit."Her eyes darted around nervously, searching for an escape, but there was none. "Adrian, I did it for us," she insisted, desperation creeping into her voice. "You don't know how cunning Sarah is. She always tries to take what's mineโ"I cut her off sharply. "Enough, Jessica. Stop twisting the truth. My mind is finally piecing it all together. It was you who had issues with Sarah, not the other way
Adrian POVAfter everything Iโve done, I donโt know how to face her. Iโve spent months destroying her dignity and soul. I didnโt even hesitate to take her virginity, a moment that should have been sacred and filled with love, not selfishness and control.I was supposed to protect and love her, but instead, I shattered her trust and heart by blindly trusting Jessicaโs lies.Guilt gnawed at me with every passing second as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white. The memories of Sarahโs tear-streaked face and broken voice haunted me. I had wronged her in ways that words alone could never mend.I wish I could go back in time and start over, cherishing my marriage with Sarah, appreciating her kindness and resilience. She had been my guiding light, but I had extinguished that flame with my own hands.I just hope itโs not too late. I hope she gives me another chanceโa chance to prove I can be the man she deserves.Fifteen minutes later, I parked outside Amario Enterprises, my
Sarah P.O.VAfter the chaotic morning with Adrian and Alessandro, I decided I needed a breakโa day away from the office to collect my thoughts. But as I paced around my apartment, the weight of unfinished work loomed over me. Reluctantly, I changed my mind and headed to the office.It was nearly 11 a.m. when I arrived, the morning sun already high in the sky, casting sharp shadows across the glass faรงade of the building. The familiar hum of office life greeted me as I walked towards my cabin. Employees buzzed around, tapping away at keyboards and exchanging hushed conversations. My eyes landed on Ester, seated at her desk, her brow furrowed in concentration as she stared at her laptop screen.I approached her, crossing my arms over my chest. โWhere were you last night? I was worried about you, Ester.โ My tone was a mixture of concern and mild exasperation.Ester looked up, her expression shifting to one of amusement. โWell, it should be me asking you that, Cinderella. Where did you di
Sarah POVMy breath hitched. Alessandro. Of course, it was Alessandro.The bouquet of crimson roses rested delicately in my arms, the soft petals brushing against my skin like silk. The sweet, heady fragrance mingled with the faint scent of coffee that lingered in the office air. I stared at the note nestled between the blossoms, the bold black ink etched into the cream-colored paper demanding my attention.Ester peered over my shoulder, curiosity glinting in her eyes as she read the note. โWow. Talk about grand gestures,โ she said, her voice tinged with amusement. โSo... what are you going to do?โI remained silent, the conflict within me swirling like a storm. Alessandro always had a way of pulling at my heartstrings, but after everything that had happened, could a bouquet of roses and a well-worded apology truly make things right?โI donโt know,โ I admitted quietly, the weight of indecision pressing down on me like a heavy cloak.Ester placed a reassuring hand on my arm, her voice s
Sarah POVThe familiar deep, velvety voice filled the silence of my office, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.โHello, Sarah.โI clenched the phone tighter in my hand, heart skipping for reasons I wasnโt ready to acknowledge. His tone was confident, tinged with warmth and a hint of mischief. Alessandro Dante never sounded unsure.โI assume you received the bouquet?โโYes.โ I kept my voice steady, masking the confusion that lingered. โIt wasโฆ unexpected.โA pause followed, thick with unspoken thoughts. I could almost picture the faint smile tugging at his lips.โSometimes the best things are,โ he said smoothly.I leaned back in my chair, my fingers absently curling around the phone cord. โIs this your way of convincing me to have dinner with you?โโConvincing you?โ His voice turned playful. โI was hoping you'd already decided.โDespite myself, a small laugh escaped my lips. โBold assumption.โโWell,โ he quipped, โI like to think boldness gets results.โI couldnโt suppress the
Sarah POVAlessandroโs gaze lingered on me, his deep brown eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation. I could feel the weight of his emotions pressing between us uncertainty, longing, fear. His jaw was tense, as if he was holding back words he wasnโt sure he was ready to say."Alessandro, you're right to ask," I said, my voice steady, though my heart was pounding. "I don't care about Adrian, I care about you. What happened to him... it was a moment of confusion, a mistake. I've realized that my heart has always been with you. That's why I told him we needed distance. I want you to know that you're the only one I want to be with."He exhaled slowly, crossing his arms over his chest, his posture still guarded. I could almost see the battle playing out in his mindโthe part of him that wanted to believe me and the part that still held onto the pain of the past."And Adrian?" he asked finally, his voice softer now but firm. "What happens if he doesn't stay away?"I shook my head, step
Sarah POVA lump formed in my throat at the tenderness in his tone. I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.โMe too,โ I whispered back. โIโm so glad weโve been able to work through everything. Iโm committed to us, Alessandro. I want you to know that.โHis hold on me tightened slightly, and he pressed a lingering kiss to the top of my head.โI know,โ he said. โAnd Iโm committed to us too. Whatever comes our way, weโll face it together.โAs exhaustion pulled me into sleep, I felt a rare sense of peace settle over me. The doubts that had once gnawed at the edges of my mind were beginning to fade, replaced by the quiet certainty that Alessandro and I were on the right path.But even as I embraced that sense of calm, a small part of me couldnโt ignore the lingering weight of Adrianโs last message. His words echoed in my thoughts more often than I wanted to admit. There was something unresolved there, something that refused to fade into the backg
Sarah POVHis words carried an unmistakable edge of jealousy, laced with something deeper frustration, maybe even desperation. I could hear it in the way Adrian spoke, the way he hesitated just a fraction of a second before choosing his words. He wasnโt ready to let go, that much was obvious. But I had already made my decision.I wasnโt going to let the past interfere with the fragile, beautiful thing Alessandro and I were rebuilding.Instead of answering Adrian right away, I chose to ignore the message, setting my phone aside with a steadying breath. The temptation to respond, to offer him some kind of closure, gnawed at me, but I resisted. The best thing I could do for myself for my relationship was to keep my distance. Even if it hurt.So I threw myself into work that day, immersing myself in tasks, focusing on anything that kept my mind from drifting back to Adrianโs lingering words. But even as I busied myself with emails and meetings, I felt the weight of the unresolved tension
Sarah POVHis words settled deep within me, reassuring me in a way I hadnโt realized I needed. But there was still one more thing I had to say, a truth that needed to be voiced.โI wanted to let you know that I spoke to Adrian,โ I admitted, watching his face carefully. โI told him we needed some space. I want you to know that youโre my priority, and I wonโt let anything or anyone come between us.โFor a moment, Alessandro didnโt say anything. His expression was unreadable, but then his shoulders dropped slightly, and he exhaled a breath he had probably been holding for too long. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady, appreciative. โThank you for that, Sarah. I appreciate it. Iโve been worried about how much heโs been around, but I didnโt want to pressure you.โI gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. โI understand,โ I murmured. โBut you donโt need to worry. Iโm committed to making this work. Weโve come too far to let anything get in the way now.โHis thumb brushed over my knuckles,
Sarah POVSarah's POVAs the days passed after Adrian's unexpected visit, the tension between Alessandro and me began to ease. We had successfully navigated a difficult moment, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Adrian's presence was still a looming threat to our relationship. Even when things felt light and easy between Alessandro and me, a small, anxious voice in the back of my mind kept whispering reminders of the pastโof Adrianโs influence, of the confusion he stirred within me. I knew I had to confront the situation head-on, not just for Alessandro's sake, but for my own peace of mind.It was a bright, clear afternoon when I finally decided to send a message to Adrian. The sun streamed in through the curtains, casting golden patterns on the floor, but despite the warmth of the day, I felt an unmistakable chill settle in my bones. The words didnโt come easily, but I knew they were necessary.Message to Adrian:Hi Adrian, I think we must maintain some distance for a whil
Sarah POVBeside me, Alessandro shifts. His voice is calm, firm, but thereโs an unmistakable edge to it. โWeโve been trying to focus on our relationship and work through things together. I appreciate your concern, but I think itโs important for us to handle this on our own.โAdrianโs gaze flicks to Alessandro, and for a moment, the air crackles with unspoken tension. Then he looks back at me. โI get it. I just didnโt realize how deep things were between you two. I guess Iโm still trying to understand where I fit into all of this.โA pang of something guilt, frustration, maybe both presses against my ribs. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. โAdrian, you have to understand that Iโm trying to rebuild my relationship with Alessandro. Iโve made it clear that I need to focus on that, and your presence here complicates things.โFor the first time since he arrived, something in Adrianโs expression shifts. His shoulders relax just slightly, and some of the steeliness in his eyes fades. Th
Sarah POVThe tension in the kitchen is thick enough to cut with a knife. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the rich aroma of butter sizzling in the pan, but none of it is enough to mask the growing unease settling over the room. Adrian takes a seat at the table without waiting for an invitation, his movements deliberate yet casual, as if trying to stake a claim on the moment. I sense Alessandroโs eyes on me, his concern pressing against my skin like a silent question. He doesnโt have to say anythingโI already know heโs on high alert.I try to steady my nerves, pushing down the wave of anxiety clawing its way up my chest. This unexpected visit could be nothing more than an awkward inconvenience, a minor speed bump on the road Alessandro and I are rebuilding. Or it could be the kind of turning point that shifts the entire course of our relationship.I glance at Alessandro, searching for reassurance in the warm depths of his gaze. He gives me a small, firm nodโsilent suppo
Sarah POVWe move in perfect harmony in the kitchen, our bodies falling into an effortless rhythm as we prepare breakfast together. The scent of sizzling butter and warm spices fills the air, mingling with the quiet hum of our laughter. Itโs easy, natural like slipping into a well-worn routine.Alessandro reaches for the same cutting board as I do, his fingers grazing mine. The brief contact sends a spark through me, and I glance up at him, my breath hitching slightly. He notices. His lips curl into a knowing smile, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades away.โYouโre distracted,โ he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.I smirk, shaking my head. โYou wish.โHis laugh is low and warm, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. As the food on the stove begins to sizzle, Alessandro gently nudges me with his hip, pulling me closer to him. His touch is light, almost teasing, but thereโs something deeper in the way he looks at me.โSarah,โ he says, his voice dropping into a w
Sarah POVThe kitchen is bathed in warm morning light as I start gathering ingredients. I pull my hair up into a loose bun and tie Alessandroโs oversized hoodie around my waist, enjoying the familiar scent of him clinging to the fabric. The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, and I hum softly as I chop vegetables and whisk eggs. Thereโs something so soothing about the simplicity of this momentโabout the act of creating something with my own hands for someone I care about.I heat up the pan and begin making the pancakes, savoring the familiar rhythm of cooking. The sizzle of batter hitting the hot skillet and the rich aroma of butter melting fill the room, making my stomach grumble in anticipation. Iโm plating the first batch when I hear Alessandroโs footsteps approaching from down the hall.He walks into the kitchen, his hair tousled from sleep, the sleeves of his t-shirt pushed up haphazardly. A sleepy smile graces his lips as he rubs at his eyes. "Good morning," he says, h