INICIAR SESIÓNI wrapped up quickly and left Dad’s office.A few minutes later, I pulled up and saw Adrian standing a few steps away, exactly where he said he would be.He smiled when he saw me. I parked, and he opened the passenger door and got in.I turned to him. “What is your problem? Why are you so determined to get me into trouble?”He didn’t answer. He just sat there, looking at me, smiling.“What’s funny?”“I’m just happy. You’re talking to me. Even if you’re yelling at me.”I rubbed my forehead. “What do you want? Be quick.”“I want to take you out on a date.”I stared at him. “Are you actually insane? I’m not going anywhere with you. There’s no way I’m risking being seen outside with you.”“You didn’t even ask where we’re going.”I gave him a look. He reached over, typed his address into the map, and leaned back. “Drive.”I let out a short laugh. “No.”He fastened his seatbelt and shut his eyes. “It’s fine. I don’t mind sleeping here, not when you’re here.”I glanced at him, then sighed an
Dad’s assistant walked in carrying a huge bouquet of roses.My eyes widened immediately.Damn you, Adrian.I took it from him. “Thank you.”I set it on the desk and pulled out the card.I bet you’re cussing me out right now for this. But you’re the one who fell for a stubborn man.I caught myself smiling before I could stop it.You always tease me about not joking with my money, but if there’s one thing I don’t joke with, it’s you.My fingers tightened around the card.I’m not letting you end us. I disagree with every word you said about us being over. I’m still your boyfriend, and you’re still my girlfriend. So you might want to start telling any man who comes close that you’re taken, because I’m already telling anyone who cares to listen that I have a girlfriend.I shook my head, a soft breath leaving me. “You’re a crazy man.”And if you don’t? I’ll consider it cheating.My lips parted in disbelief.I’ll keep disturbing you until you talk to me again. I hope you love the flowers.~M
I gently pulled his hands off my waist. “Adrian… no.”I took a step back. His expression changed instantly, raw hurt flashing through.Up close, I noticed the dark circles under his eyes. He hadn’t been sleeping. If it weren’t for makeup, mine wouldn’t look any better.“Sophia, please… just let me explain.”I exhaled slowly. “This isn’t the right place. Anyone could walk out here. And honestly…” I paused, forcing the words out, “your explanation won’t change anything.”“Sophia, please,” he insisted.I let out a breath, crossing my arms. “Okay. Go on.”He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.“I had no bad intentions toward you. I swear. When we met, it was a coincidence. I didn’t know who you were. I didn’t know whose daughter you were.”I held his gaze. “And when you found out?”He hesitated, then shook his head. “I couldn’t tell you.”“Couldn’t?” I echoed.“I didn’t want to lose you,” he said quietly. “I was already drawn to you. I wanted to get close to you. And I knew the momen
Dad picked Mom and me up from the house, and we headed to the event.The entire drive, he kept bragging about how he had the two most beautiful women in the world sitting beside him.The venue was exactly what you’d expect, an industry event packed with businessmen and women dressed in tailored suits and elegant gowns, all gathered to mingle, network, and exchange ideas.Dad moved easily through the crowd, proudly introducing me as his daughter. I quickly picked up on the pattern, parents subtly talking up their sons, conversations that felt polite on the surface but carried that quiet we’re interested undertone.The moment Dad and Mom got pulled into their circle, I knew I was on my own. They were already in their element, heads close, whispering, laughing like they had their own private show going on.I leaned closer to Dad. “You should have just come with your wife. Why bring me here to be a third wheel?”He barely looked at me. “Go mingle. You never know who you might meet.”I rol
I knew Mom wouldn’t leave unless I told her something, and lying to her wasn’t something I liked doing.So I told her the truth, just not all of it.“Adrian’s family already has someone they want him to marry,” I said. “And I didn’t want to get caught up in all that drama, so I stepped out.”She watched me for a moment.“Do you love him?” she asked softly.I hesitated for a second, then nodded.She pulled me into her arms, rubbing my back slowly.“I hate that you’re in this situation,” she said. “And I’m not going to tell you it gets better or that it hurts less. But the decision you made was a smart one.”I pulled back slightly, looking at her.She sighed. “When things were complicated between your dad and me, we still had love. But one thing that made it easier was his family. They accepted me from day one. Your grandparents, your Aunt Sophia, Jay… everyone. Even though I came from a completely different background.”There was a small smile on her face now.“That kind of acceptance
Around 6 p.m., I told Dad I’d be heading home.“I’ll join you later,” he said, barely looking up from his laptop. “Let me finish up here.”I smirked. “Or you’re waiting because Mom mentioned a late event tonight, and you want to time it so you both get home together.”He laughed. “At this rate, I’ll regret giving you an office here if all you do is tease me.”I grabbed my bag, ready to leave, when his assistant walked in.“Sir, Mr. Elias Zone is here to see you.”Dad nodded. “Send him in. I’m expecting him.”A few seconds later, an older man walked in, followed by a younger one who looked so much like him it was obvious they were related.Dad stood, smiling. “Elias.”They shook hands warmly, and it was easy to tell they were close. I greeted them politely, and Dad introduced me.“This is my daughter, Sophia.”Mr. Elias looked surprised. “You never told me you had such a grown daughter. Where have you been hiding her?”Dad chuckled. “She’s been abroad, studying. Just got back.”I smile
I didn’t answer Liam right away.My heart was racing, palms cold, throat tight. Cassie in his bed. Naked. It clung to my thoughts like smoke I couldn’t blow away. But when I looked into Liam’s eyes, I didn’t see lies. I saw torment. Regret. A man who would rather bleed than break what we had.“I b
Liam didn’t understand what I meant when I said I needed space.Because he spent the entire day calling. Texting. Leaving voice notes that tried to sound calm, but weren’t.He was falling apart in his own way. And if I was honest, so was I.Don’t overthink this, Emily.We’re okay. You and me, we’re
Liam came back from his call looking like a man ready to pick up where we left off.I smiled at him.Soft. Sweet. Convincing.Because pretending everything was fine was easier than asking questions I wasn’t ready to hear answers to.“Everything okay?” he asked, tossing his phone onto the nearby cha
The second the live stream ended, Liam reached for me like the rest of the world didn’t exist.He pulled me close by the waist, his fingers still dusted with powdered sugar from the finale dessert.“So… boyfriend, huh?” he murmured, that signature smirk playing on his lips.I tilted my head, biting







