Chapter 9

“Pour me another.”

Adrian’s voice was hoarse, his eyes bloodshot, his breath reeking of alcohol. He slumped deep into the black leather sofa of his office, shirt half unbuttoned, tie loosened, the half-empty bottle of whiskey sitting on the low table before him.

Markus stood by the door, his expression heavy with disappointment. “That’s enough, Adrian. You’ve had too much already.”

Adrian turned his hollow gaze toward him. “Do you think if I stop drinking, I’ll forget all of this? No, Markus. The company is falling apart, the investors are gone, and Rosemary…” his throat tightened, his voice breaking, “Rosemary slammed the door in my face. She would rather see me ruined than ever come back.”

Markus pulled a chair over and sat across from him. “Adrian, listen to me. You have to start accepting reality. Rosemary may never come back. You can beg, kneel, even bleed yourself dry—but she’s chosen her path.”

Adrian slammed his glass onto the table, amber liquid spilling. “You think I don’t know that? But how am I supposed to accept it, when the only person who made this company matter, who made me matter… is gone forever?”

Markus was silent for a moment before exhaling deeply. “Maybe this is the moment you learn how to let go. You can’t depend on one person forever.”

“No.” Adrian shook his head violently, his eyes red. “This company was built with her. My life… it only had meaning because she was beside me. Now, without Rosemary, I’m empty. I don’t know where to go.”

---

The door opened slowly. Cassandra entered, her crimson satin gown clinging elegantly to her figure. Her face glowed with perfect makeup, her lips curled into a seductive smile, though her eyes betrayed unease.

“Adrian…” her voice was soft, dripping with false tenderness. “You have to stop torturing yourself like this.”

Adrian didn’t look at her. He raised his glass and swallowed another burning sip.

Cassandra walked closer, seating herself beside him, her hand brushing his shoulder. “Forget Rosemary. She doesn’t deserve you anymore. I’m here now. I’ve always chosen you. You know that, don’t you? I’ll never leave you, Adrian.”

Adrian turned to her, his stare icy, piercing through her like glass. “You?” He gave a hollow laugh. “You’re the one who made me believe I could forget Rosemary. You’re the one who swore you could surpass her. But look at the result—you dragged me into this ruin.”

Cassandra’s face drained of color. “I… I only wanted to prove myself. I wanted you to see me, not her.”

Adrian shoved her hand away. “What I see now is nothing but destruction. And I’m sick of it.”

Cassandra froze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, but Adrian had already stood, leaving her stranded on the sofa. Markus said nothing—he knew Adrian’s wounds were too deep for Cassandra to ever fill.

---

The next morning, Adrian sat slumped at his desk, his face worn and haggard, newspapers strewn across the table. His trembling hand reached for one of them.

On the front cover of a leading fashion magazine was the photo of a top celebrity draped in a sapphire-blue gown. The dress was flawless—elegant, simple yet commanding—as though sculpted for the star alone.

The headline screamed in bold:

“ROSEMARY RISES FROM THE ASHES – HER NEW GOWN CAPTURES THE WORLD”

Adrian froze, his eyes locked on the image. Below it, the critics’ praise cut into him like knives:

“This is true art.”

“Rosemary proves she was never just a shadow of Adrian Corp.”

“A masterpiece declaring: she doesn’t need anyone to shine.”

Markus entered, a stack of documents in hand. “I figured you’d see the news.”

Adrian lifted his head slowly, his voice raw. “This… this is her work?”

“Yes,” Markus replied plainly. “She launched her new collection from that tiny boutique of hers. And now the international press is covering it. Meanwhile, Adrian Corp—” he dropped the documents heavily onto the desk, “—faces lawsuits from three major investors.”

Adrian clutched his head, his heart pounding violently. “She’s… shining brighter. Without me. Brighter than she ever did with me.”

Markus’s gaze was sharp, unrelenting. “That’s the truth, Adrian. You’ve lost Rosemary—not just as a designer, but as the woman who once loved you. And you may never get her back.”

Adrian squeezed his eyes shut, his voice shattering. “I… I haven’t only lost the company. I’ve lost my heart. Rosemary… she was everything I threw away, and now I have to watch her shine without me.”

---

Outside, the evening sky bled crimson. Adrian stood at the tall office window, staring out over the city. Images of Rosemary filled his mind—her smile, her laughter, even the cold glare she gave when she turned him away.

At last, the tears he had fought for so long slipped free. His hand pressed against the glass, his body trembling.

“I really am… going to lose everything,” he whispered.