Chapter 4

Elena's pov,

For a moment there, I couldn’t breathe.

My eyes were glued on the phone screen.

It was Matteo, my sister. Holding hands and standing beneath a banner celebrating their engagement.

“No,” I whispered.

The words escaped my lips before I could stop it.

“Nah… this isn't real.”

But Adrian did not say a word, he simply watched me carefully, like he was observing a storm unfold.

My hands began to shake as I reached for the phone.

“Let me see.” I said, stretching my hands towards him.

He handed it over to me without resistance. The image filled the screen and it wasn't blurry, nor was it fake.

The ballroom was decorated with white roses and golden lights. The guest were gathered around them, smiling and clapping.

And right there at the centre—

Matteo was standing proudly beside my sister, Sofia.

Her hand rested possessively on his arm, and right there on her finger was a diamond ring.

A larger one than mine–could you believe that?

My chest tightened so painfully I thought something inside me had snapped.

“This…” I whispered; shaking my head, “this must be old.”

Adrian was still silent.

“Maybe it's from before,” I continued desperately. “Maybe—”

“That's enough, Elena. As you can see clearly that photo was taken ten minutes ago.”

His calm voice cut straight through my denial.

The room suddenly felt colder.

“Ten minutes ago…” I repeated.

Ten minutes ago I had been sitting in his penthouse trying to convince myself that what I was doing tonight was for love.

Ten minutes ago…

Matteo had been celebrating his engagement to my sister. My fingers tightened around the phone.

“I'm sure this right here is some kind of mistake,” I said weakly.

But even as the words left my mouth… I knew they weren't true.

Adrian leaned back against the couch, watching me.

“This is crazy,” he said “ I still can't believe it, you want to defend him?” 

I didn't answer.

Because I couldn't.

Because every piece of the puzzle was suddenly sliding into place in the most horrifying way possible.

From the rushed meetings, to the way Matteo avoided my eyes, the way he had said the investor “Specifically asked” for me.

A sick realization crept into my mind as I stood there.

“Did he know?” I asked quietly.

Adrian tilted his head. 

“Know what?”

“That this was happening tonight.”

Adrian did not even hesitate, he blurted out a firm YES.

The word felt like a blade slicing through my chest as my vision took a tragic blur all of a sudden.

I quickly wiped my eyes before the tears could fall.

I refused to cry.

Not right now and definitely not infront of a stranger.

“So,” Adrian continued calmly, “let's review the situation.”

His voice sounded almost clinical.

“You're here in my penthouse because your fiancé asked you to sleep with me.”

“Begged me..” I corrected, clenching my jaw.

“Alright he begged you…”

“Meanwhile, he's currently announcing his engagement to your sister.”

“Hold on.. Are you sure both of you are sisters?” He blurted.

“Step sisters.”

My chest rose sharply.

“And here you're still wondering if this is a mistake.”

The humiliation burned hotter than the pain.

“How did you get this photo?” I asked, sniffing back my tears.

“My assistant is attending the event.”

Of course he was, men like Adrian Laurent had eyes everywhere.

I stared back down at the image again.

Sofia was smiling brightly in the photo— radiant and victorious.

Suddenly a memory flashed in my mind.

Two weeks ago.

Sofia had asked me casually.

“Are you sure Matteo really loves you?”

At that time, I had laughed it off— but now the memory only made my stomach twist extra.

“Do you want to know the funniest part?”

My head lifted slowly.

“What?”

He gesture towards the engagement ring sitting on the table.

“The deal your fiancé made with me.” He said, as my heart began to pound again.

“What about it?” 

Adrian's gaze sharpened. “He actually offered you before I even asked.”

His words felt like a physical blow.

“What?”

“Yes, I'm just being truthful. Because I never requested you,” Adrian said calmly. “He had suggested it himself.”

The room went completely silent, my ears began to ring.

“You're lying.”

Adrian shrugged slightly as he sipped his drink.

“If that helps you sleep tonight.”

“He wouldn't do that,” I said quickly.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Adrian stood up slowly, his tall frame now casted a long shadow across the room.

“Would you like to hear the exact words he used?”

Something inside me screamed not to listen, but I clearly couldn't stop myself.

“What did he say?”

Adrian's voice was perfectly steady when he answered.

“He said…”

Adrian paused briefly and then he finished the sentence. “She's loyal. She'll do anything I ask.”

My knees suddenly felt weak.

Because those words sounded exactly like Matteo’s.

Adrian continued quietly.

“I told him I wasn't interested.”

My head snapped. “You … what?”

“Obviously I declined his offer.”

My mind struggled to process the information.

“Then why—”

“Because your fiancé kept pushing the idea.”

Adrian's eyes darkened slightly. 

“He insisted it was the only way to prove his commitment to the deal.”

The disgust in his voice became absolutely subtle…

But it was there.

“So eventually,” Adrian said calmly, “I agreed.”

My throat tightened. “So are you saying, you agreed to buy a night with me.”

“No.” He said, almost immediately. Firm and cold.

“I said yes because I wanted to see how far he was going to take it.”

I stared at him. “So, you were testing him?”

“Yes.”

“And he failed.”

Adrian didn't sugarcoat it.

“Spectacularly.”

The truth settled heavily between us. Matteo hadn't sacrificed me for love, instead, he had offered me up willingly. Even before he was even asked.

A hollow laugh escaped my throat.

What was I saying— Five years of love, loyalty and now apparently stupidity.

Adrian watched me carefully. 

“You are sure taking this surprisingly well.”

I look up at him slowly.

“No,” I said quietly. “I'm not.”

But before he could react— 

I grabbed the whiskey bottle from the table and pored myself a glass.

“I thought you said you didn't want to drink.” he said, raising his eyebrows.

“I also said I trusted my fiancé,” I replied.

Then I downed the whiskey in one burning gulp. The liquid scorched my throat but the pain felt strangely good.

Adrian studied me again for another moment. Then he said something that made my heart skip.

“You can leave.”

“Huh–” I froze. 

“What?”

“ I know you heard me lol and clear, Elena.” He said, gesturing towards the elevator.

“You are free to go,”

I blinked in confusion.

“I thought…”

“That you were here to repay a deal?”

“Yes,”

Adrian shook his head slightly.

“The deal was with your fiancé.” He said, his gaze moved briefly to the phone still displayingthe engagement photo.

“And he's clearly busy tonight.”

The words hung heavily in the air as I stared at him.

“Are you really letting me go?” I asked.

“Yes.”

Just like that, with no conditions and zero demands. The sudden freedom almost felt unreal.

I stood slowly and my legs felt unsteady.

Just then, my eyes finally landed in the engagement ring beside it.

For a moment…

I simply stared at it.

The symbol of everything i thought my life was going to be.

Finally, I picked it up.

Adrian watched me quietly.

“Are you going to return it?” He asked.

I turned the ring between my fingers and thrn I slipped it into my purse.

“No,” I said.

His eyebrow lifted slightly. 

“Why not?” He asked.

Our gaze met in an dazzled and for the first time since seeing the photo, my heart hardened.

“Because when i see him again,” I said calmly, “ I'm going to throw it in his face.”

For the first time since I arrived— Adrian Laurent actually looked impressed.

A slow smile touched his lips. “Well,” he said.

“That I would very much like to see.”