She grabbed her coffee and took a quick sip to cover her reaction.But it was too late—her entire face felt like it was on fire. "When we what?"she managed to say. Adrian remained perfectly calm,as if he hadn’t just casually mentioned marriage over breakfast. "When we get married,"he repeated,setting down his coffee cup with ease."I assume you’ll want to keep eating food like this." Emily stared at him,utterly thrown. He had said it so naturally,so certainly,as if their marriage was already a settled matter. "Adrian…"She swallowed,suddenly feeling restless."You can’t just—say things like that so casually." His gaze softened ever so slightly."You don’t have to be nervous,"he said smoothly."I’m not forcing you to decide anything right now." Emily opened her mouth,then closed it,unsure how to respond. He was so calm about it.So assured. As if he knew she would say yes eventually. She set
The distraction worked. Lila blinked,then let out an excited shriek. “Finally!” Emily flinched as Lila all but launched herself across the couch,grabbing Emily’s hands and shaking them with unfiltered glee.“Oh my God,Em,do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this?” Emily chuckled despite herself.“Gee,thanks.Love the support.” Lila waved a dismissive hand.“Oh,please.Mike was the worst.Self-absorbed,arrogant,and honestly?A total red flag parade.” Emily raised an eyebrow.“You didn’t say any of this before.” Lila huffed.“Because you were still with him!But believe me,I’ve been silently praying for this day.”She grinned,wiggling her eyebrows.“So tell me,what was the final straw?Did he finally propose to himself in a mirror?” Emily burst out laughing.“Close enough.” Lila sighed dreamily.“So,he’s officially out of the picture.Which means…”She wiggled her brows again.“You’re single.”
Letting out a slow breath.Then, she grabbed her phone from the table and turned it on for the first time that day.As the screen lit up, a notification from her calendar immediately popped up.Shareholder Meeting – A DesignsThursday | 10:00 AMHer thumb hovered over the notification for a moment before she exhaled and tapped out a message.Emily: I need to take a few days off. I won’t be attending the shareholder meeting.A moment later, a reply came through.Assistant: Understood. Should I reschedule any of your upcoming meetings?Emily hesitated for only a second before responding.Emily: No. Just handle things as needed. I’ll be unreachable for now.She wasn’t going back.Not to the company.Not to Mike.Not to any of it.For the first time in years, she had truly let go.And with that, she powered off her phone and tossed it onto the couch.For the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel like she owed anyone an explanation. Emily spent most of the day in the quiet solitude
Adrian had just finished his meeting when he heard footsteps outside his study.He glanced up as Emily appeared in the doorway.For a moment, neither of them spoke.The setting sun bathed the room in amber light, casting long shadows across the polished wood floors.Then, Emily stepped inside.Adrian leaned back in his chair, studying her carefully. “Emily.”Her hands curled into fists at her sides, as if bracing herself.Then, with quiet determination, she met his gaze and said—"I’ll marry you."Silence.The kind that stretched thick in the air, wrapping around them like an invisible thread.Adrian’s expression didn’t change.Didn’t move.But his fingers—just barely—tightened against the armrest of his chair.Finally, after a long pause, he exhaled.And then, he said the only thing that mattered."Are you sure?"
Slowly, she turned back to Emily, then back to Adrian, her brain struggling to catch up.Then, still staring at her brother, she mouthed the words, How did you pull this off?Adrian’s expression remained composed, but his blue eyes darkened slightly, as if in silent response.Lila’s jaw nearly dropped.Emily, oblivious to the silent exchange, shifted slightly. “Lila?”Lila snapped out of it, looking at Emily again, still reeling.“You’re—you’re what?” she stammered.Emily swallowed. “We’re getting married.”Lila blinked rapidly, then exhaled sharply. “Are you guys insane?”She turned to Adrian, pointing a finger at him. “You—explain. Now.”Adrian didn’t even flinch. “We’ve made our decision.”Lila let out a frustrated groan, throwing her hands in the air. “That is not an explan
The conference room carried an air of quiet authority, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mixing with the polished mahogany and sleek leather chairs. The shareholders of A Designs took their seats, murmuring in low, measured tones as they prepared for the discussion ahead.At the head of the table, Mike leaned back, fingers tapping lazily against the surface. His expression was one of practiced confidence, his sharp navy suit tailored to perfection. He looked every bit the man in control—or at least, that’s what he told himself.The senior partner, an executive who had been with the company since its early days, cleared his throat. “Alright, let’s get started. We have several pressing matters today. First—the Luthmere Luxury Towers Development Project. The bidding process begins next month, and securing this contract would give us a strong foothold in the high-end market.”A few members nodded approvingly, flipping through the proposal documents in front of them.“The profits look pro
The air was crisp, carrying the soft scent of early spring. Emily stood before the mirror in the guest bedroom of the Blackwood estate, smoothing her hands over the dress. It fit like a dream. Perfectly tailored, hugging her waist, flowing effortlessly as if it had been made for her and only her. She turned slightly, studying her reflection. No veil. No extravagant bridal jewelry. Just this dress, simple heels, and the faintest trace of natural makeup. She looked… Like herself. Not a woman forced into a marriage. Not a bride of convenience. Just Emily. A knock at the door made her turn. Lila peeked her head inside, then froze. “…Okay. I officially take back everything I said about this being a rushed disaster,”she muttered, stepping inside. Emily lifted a brow.“What?” Lila waved a hand at the dress.“You look
Emily’s fingers curled slightly at her sides. The moment he pulled away, the click of a camera shutter broke the silence. Emily blinked, only now realizing that a photographer and videographer were standing nearby. She turned to Adrian, startled.“You—” Emily hadn’t even thought about photos, she had assumed a contract marriage wouldn’t require such sentimental gestures. But Adrian had arranged everything. Without a word, he placed a hand on her lower back and guided her toward the chapel’s grand wooden doors. The photographer motioned for them to stand together at the steps, the aged stone providing a regal backdrop. “Closer,”the photographer instructed. Emily hesitated for a split second before Adrian closed the gap between them effortlessly, his hand resting lightly against her waist. The camera clicked. They moved to the small garden beside the chapel, where delicate white roses bloomed against an old iron gate. A few tourists had gathered nearby, admiring the
The next morning,sunlight spilled softly across the edge of the bed,catching on the pale gold curtains. Emily blinked awake,still wrapped in the warmth of Adrian’s arms. For a long moment,she didn’t move—just listened to the slow,steady rhythm of his breathing behind her,the quiet peace that followed everything they’d left on that stage. Then her phone buzzed. She reached for it sleepily,squinting at the screen. And froze. Notifications were flooding in—social media mentions,article headlines,blog posts,tags,messages,comment threads that seemed to scroll endlessly. The brand’s official account was trending. Her name was trending. Even#MobiusBride was trending. She stared at it,eyes wide,then turned to look back at Adrian,who had stirred awake,watching her with half-lidded eyes. "Did you…pay for all this promotion?"she asked,still dazed,the phone now resting against his bare chest. Adrian lifted an eyebrow,amused. "As a financial investor,the first thing I a
As the applause faded and the lights dimmed slightly, a soft transition played across the massive LED screen behind Emily. The crowd turned to look— and there it was. A sleek, elegant Möbius strip, rendered in brushed platinum and rose gold, slowly rotated on the screen. It was the official brand symbol of her new line. The host, standing beside the podium, turned toward her with a smile. “Ms. Hart, could you tell us a bit about the meaning behind this design?” Emily smiled, steady and poised, her voice carrying gently through the mic. “The Möbius strip has a fascinating history,” she began. “It’s a one-sided surface—continuous, infinite. No beginning, no end. It symbolizes unity, eternity, and the beautifully complex nature of connection.” She paused, then added, her eyes softening slightly. “When I created this brand, a part of its philosophy was inspired by my husband. This symbol you see here is also the foundation of our wedding ring design. Because I believe every s
The space between them stretched thin, charged and brittle. People around them were starting to notice, glancing over with curious eyes. The gift box remained suspended awkwardly between them, Mike’s hand still waiting, expectant. Emily’s fingers curled into her side, rigid with the effort not to move, not to take it. A heartbeat later, a warm hand closed over the box. Another arm slid around her waist in a firm, unmistakable claim. Emily exhaled in a rush as Adrian pulled her gently against him, his presence a wall between her and everything else. He turned to Mike with a polished smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Mike,”Adrian said smoothly, his voice calm and cutting all at once. “Good to see you. Please, enjoy the evening. Have a seat.” Without waiting for a response, Adrian laced his fingers through Emily’s and steered her away with effortless possession. Emily followed, her heart hammering, the heat of his hand grounding her as they moved through the crow
Adrian smiled against her hair, then shifted to the side, pulling the covers up over both of them. He gathered her into his arms, tucking her securely against him, her head nestled under his chin, his hand stroking soothing circles along her spine. Emily let out a tiny sigh, the last of her tension melting away. Wrapped up in his arms, with the steady thud of his heartbeat against her ear and his breath warm in her hair, she finally felt herself drift. Safe. Loved. Home. Adrian kissed the top of her head one last time and whispered, "Sleep, baby. I'm not going anywhere." And with that promise stitched into the night between them, they both surrendered to sleep—together. - The design studio was finally finished— polished marble floors, glass walls that caught the sunlight just right, sleek modern lines that spoke of ambition and elegance. It stood just a few blocks away from E International, nestled in the heart of the city’s thriving downtown core. When E
With a low,ragged growl,he shifted,gripping her hips firmly as he drove into her with a sudden,deeper thrust. Emily gasped sharply,her back bowing off the bed,her nails digging into his skin as he filled her completely,claiming her in a way that left no room for thought. He caught her mouth in a fierce kiss,swallowing every broken sound she made,moving inside her with a raw,aching need that he no longer bothered to hold back. His control—so carefully maintained—was gone now,undone by the way she trembled for him,by the way she clung to him like he was the only thing keeping her grounded. And he was. He always would be. Their bodies moved together in a wild,desperate rhythm,each thrust sending another tremor through her,each kiss deepening the way they unraveled into each other. In that moment,nothing else existed— just the burn of skin against skin, the frantic beating of two hearts colliding, and the unspoken vows stitched into every breathless touch. Emily’s
He reached the bed and lowered her carefully onto the mattress, his hands lingering a moment longer than necessary, as if reluctant to let her go. Emily looked up at him, her hair fanning out across the pillows, cheeks flushed, eyes wide and soft. Adrian stayed there for a beat, hovering above her, his gaze tracing every inch of her face like he was trying to memorize her all over again. Then, without a word, he leaned down and kissed her. Slowly. Deeply. The kind of kiss that didn’t rush, didn’t ask for anything—only gave. His mouth moved against hers with a tenderness that made her heart ache, like he was pouring everything he couldn’t say into that single touch. Adrian shifted, bracing one arm beside her head, the other sliding along her waist with a patience that made her tremble. His fingers brushed the hem of her pajama top, tracing small, reverent circles against her skin, as if asking permission without ever needing to speak. When Emily gasped softly against hi
Emily caught a glimpse of Adrian holding his phone up, filming something. She tilted her head curiously. “What are you doing?” He didn’t look away from the screen as he answered, voice low and steady. “Recording you,”he said.“So next time you’re scared, you can look back and remember this feeling—this moment when you chose courage. Then, little by little, we’ll stack up so many good memories that the fear won’t stand a chance.” Emily blinked, then smiled—a small, genuine smile that reached her eyes. He was right. Facing things, handling them one step at a time, was how real confidence was built. Not overnight. But piece by piece. Her heart felt lighter. When they finally headed back down the winding mountain roads, Emily kept her hands steady on the wheel, a quiet kind of pride blooming in her chest. They decided to stop for lunch on Lexford Boulevard again. Emily pulled into a spot near the restaurant. As she climbed out, a loose piece of gravel shifted under he
The next morning, Emily was about to grab her purse and head out—the interior designer from E International had texted, asking her to come by and check out the preliminary renovation plans for her personal design studio. She picked up her car keys from the counter—but her fingers hesitated. A small tremble ran through them. Just as she was about to tell the driver she might need him to take her instead, the distant growl of an engine caught her ear. Emily turned—and froze. A bright yellow SUV pulled into the driveway. The window rolled down. Adrian. He smiled lazily at her from behind the wheel.“Come see your new ride. Tell me if you like it.” Emily stared for a second, stunned. The SUV was wild and beautiful—bold yellow with clean, muscular lines that somehow managed to look both untamed and sophisticated. Even the rims were touched with a subtle, eye-catching gleam of color. Before she could find words, Adrian cut the engine, got out, and walked over. He pr
Adrian’s expression softened. He reached out, pulled her gently into his arms. She didn’t speak, not right away. Just breathed. Just trembled. He pressed a kiss to her hair. Then, quietly— “Sometimes the body remembers what the mind forgets. Especially when it’s something you weren’t ready to carry.” His thumb brushed along the back of her hand, grounding her. “Sometimes the mind tucks things away until it’s ready,”Adrian said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.“Especially when you’re that young. Four years old…most people don’t remember much.” “But something in you held onto it,”he added, his voice quiet but certain.“And whatever it was—whoever they were—you weren’t alone then.” He leaned closer, pressing a steady kiss to her temple. “And you’re not alone now,”he whispered.“Whatever you remember, whenever it comes back—I’ll be here. You don’t have to carry it