The promise

CHAPTER FOUR

Adrian stared at her as though he had never seen her before.

His wife.

His best friend's fiancée.

The woman he had married less than twenty-four hours ago.

"Man, where's your wife? I can't believe you are married. You really like beating me to things," Daniel said excitedly, but Adrian kept standing frozen at the door

Daniel frowned.

“Why are you both looking at each other like that?”

Maya opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Adrian's eyes remained fixed on her.

“Maya?”

His voice was dangerously calm. Daniel looked at Maya.

“You know Adrian?”

Maya's eyes filled with tears.

“Yes.”

Daniel's brows pulled together.

“You know each other?”

Adrian finally looked at Daniel.

“Yes.”

There was something in his voice that made Daniel's smile disappear completely.

“How?”

Adrian opened the door wider" come in first, man" they stepped into the house and settled on the soft sofa.

Maya lowered her head.

Daniel looked from one to the other.

“What's going on?”

Nobody answered.

“Adrian?”

His best friend remained by the door; Daniel turned toward Maya.

“Babe?”

The endearment made Adrian's jaw tighten; Maya flinched; Daniel noticed.

“Why are you crying?”

Maya wiped her cheeks quickly.

“I wanted to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

She looked at Adrian.

Then back at Daniel.

“I…”

Her voice broke; Adrian closed his eyes briefly. He knew there was no way around it anymore.

“Maya is my wife.”

Daniel went completely still; the room became too quiet.

“What?”

Daniel stared at Adrian, then at Maya, then at the wedding ring on her finger. His face slowly changed.

“No.”

Maya began crying.

“Daniel…”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“You're not married.”

“I am.”

“Not to him.”

Maya couldn't answer.

Daniel stood and took a step backward.

“When?”

“This morning.”

His eyes widened.

"She was the one you were telling me about? Are you both pulling a prank on me?” Daniel laughed bitterly.

“You got married this morning?”

“I didn't choose it.”

“You got married today, Maya, and you didn't tell me?”

“I wanted to.”

“When?”

She broke down.

“I tried calling you. I have been calling you for three days, Daniel, but you weren't taking any of my calls!”

Daniel turned away, running both hands through his hair.

He had imagined introducing Maya to his best friend and bragging about just how beautiful she was.

Instead, he had walked into his best friend's house and discovered that his fiancée was already wearing the ring he had dreamed of giving her.

Daniel turned back.

“Why didn't you tell me at the airport?”

Maya sobbed.

“Because I had just found you again.”

“And?”

“I was scared.”

“Scared of me?”

“Scared of losing you.”

Daniel's expression softened for a moment.But the pain remained.

“You should have told me.”

“I know.”

“You should have told me the moment you saw me.”

“I know.”

“Then why didn't you?”

Maya wiped her tears.

“Because I waited seven years for you, Daniel. I waited through birthdays, Christmases, lonely nights, and every day you weren't here. And when you finally came back, I was standing there wearing another man's ring.”

Her voice broke.

“I couldn't bear to watch the happiness disappear from your face.”

Daniel looked down.

For a moment, he couldn't speak. Adrian remained silent. He had never seen anyone this broken.

And somehow, seeing her cry because of another man hurt more than he wanted to admit.

Daniel finally looked at Adrian.

“You knew?”

Adrian nodded.

"few hours ago"

“And you knew she loved me?”

“No.”

Daniel stared at him.

“You didn't know who she was?”

“No.”

Adrian's voice was quiet.

“When my grandfather arranged the marriage, I was only given her name and some basic information. I didn't know she was your Maya.”

Daniel looked at Maya.

“Then how did this happen?”

Maya explained everything.

Her father's failing company. The business agreement between the two families.The arranged marriage.The pressure.The three-day deadline.Every word seemed to make Daniel's expression darker.

When she finished, he looked at Adrian.

“So you married her because of your grandfather's business?”

“Yes.”

“And now?”

Adrian looked at Maya. Then at Daniel.

“Now I know the truth.”

Daniel waited. Adrian took a slow breath.

“I won't stand between you; I already told her.;

Maya looked up sharply.

“Adrian…”

He continued.

“You two were together before I ever knew Maya existed. You waited seven years for each other. I have no right to destroy that.”

Daniel's eyes narrowed.

“What are you saying?”

Adrian's expression remained firm.

“Once my grandfather officially hands the company over to me, I'll divorce Maya.”

Maya stared at him.

Daniel was silent. Adrian continued.

“That was always the plan. The marriage was supposed to secure the business agreement. Once the deal is completed and the company becomes mine, I'll end the marriage.”

Daniel studied him.

“You're serious?”

“Yes.”

“You'll let her go?”

Adrian looked at Maya. He hadn't even known her for a complete twenty-four hours, but inside, his chest tightened.

“Yes.”

Maya's lips trembled.

“Why?”

Adrian's eyes met hers.

“Because you love him.”

The words were simple, but something about them made Maya's heart ache.

Adrian looked away.

“And because I won't force a woman to stay married to me when her heart belongs somewhere else.”

Daniel stepped closer.

“And when will that happen?”

“My grandfather said the transfer will be completed after the merger is finalized.”

“How long?”

“A few weeks.”

Daniel nodded.

“You promise?”

Adrian looked directly at him.

“I promise.”

Maya stared at Adrian. She should have felt relieved. This was exactly what she wanted. She would finally be free. She would finally be able to marry Daniel.

So why did Adrian's promise feel like something was being taken away from her? She quickly pushed the thought away.

It was ridiculous.

Adrian was only her husband on paper. Daniel was the man she loved. That was the truth. At least, it was supposed to be.

Daniel reached for Maya's hand.

She let him take it. Adrian watched them. A strange ache settled in his chest. He looked away.

“I'm going upstairs.”

Daniel nodded.

Adrian took two steps before Maya's voice stopped him.

“Adrian.”

He turned.

She looked at him through tear-filled eyes.

“Thank you.”

Adrian gave her a faint smile.

“Don't thank me.”

Then he walked away.

Maya watched him disappear up the stairs.

Daniel squeezed her hand.

“He's doing the right thing.”

Maya nodded.

But she couldn't explain why, instead of feeling happy, she suddenly felt a strange emptiness inside her.

Upstairs, Adrian entered his bedroom and closed the door behind him.

He loosened his tie and stood before the mirror. His eyes fell on the wedding ring around his finger.

He remembered Maya standing at the door earlier. He remembered her crying. He remembered the relief in her eyes when he promised to divorce her. He had done the right thing.

He knew he had.

So why did it feel like the biggest mistake of his life? He removed the ring slowly. Placed it on the table.

And whispered to himself,

“It's temporary.”

But somewhere deep inside him, a terrifying thought had already begun to form.

What if, by the time his grandfather handed him the company, he no longer wanted to let Maya go?