Enemies and Allies

Emily stared at Adrian, her mind struggling to catch up.

“Lena?” she repeated.

Adrian didn’t look surprised.

If anything—

He looked like he had expected this.

“Yes.”

Emily shook her head.

“That doesn’t make sense. Why would she go after my father’s company?”

Adrian’s expression remained unreadable.

“Because it matters to you.”

The answer hit harder than expected.

Emily’s chest tightened.

“So this is about me?”

“It’s about control,” Adrian corrected. “You’re just part of it.”

Silence.

Emily turned away, running a hand through her hair.

“This is insane.”

“You married into insanity,” Adrian said calmly.

She shot him a glare.

“Not helping.”

A pause.

Then—

“Do you want to save your father’s company?”

Emily didn’t hesitate.

“Yes.”

“Then stop reacting emotionally and start thinking.”

Her jaw tightened.

But he wasn’t wrong.

“…Fine,” she said, forcing herself to calm down. “What do we do?”

For the first time—

Adrian looked at her like she was part of the plan.

Not just part of the deal.

“We fight back.”

The study was dimly lit.

Documents spread across the table.

Numbers. Reports. Contracts.

Emily leaned over the desk, scanning everything as fast as she could.

“Her name is nowhere on these transactions,” she said. “She’s hiding behind someone.”

“Of course she is.”

Adrian stood beside her, one hand resting on the table.

Close.

Again.

“She’s not stupid,” he continued. “She won’t attack directly.”

Emily frowned.

“Then how do we prove it’s her?”

Adrian turned his head slightly—

Looking at her.

“We don’t.”

She blinked.

“What?”

“We don’t need proof,” he said. “We just need to stop her.”

Emily crossed her arms.

“And how exactly do you plan to do that?”

A faint smirk appeared.

“By being smarter.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Very helpful.”

For a second—

There was silence.

Then Adrian spoke again.

“Tomorrow, you’re coming with me.”

Emily frowned.

“Where?”

“A board meeting.”

Her eyes widened.

“Adrian, I’m not—”

“You are my wife,” he cut in. “And your father’s company is involved. That gives you a place at the table.”

Emily hesitated.

“I don’t belong there,” she admitted quietly.

Adrian’s gaze sharpened.

“Then learn fast.”

The words weren’t harsh.

But they weren’t gentle either.

Still—

Something in his tone felt different.

Not dismissive.

Challenging.

Emily took a breath.

“…Fine.”

Later that night—

Emily stood by the window in their room, staring out at the dark city.

Everything had changed so fast.

The contract.

The marriage.

The threat.

And Adrian.

She didn’t understand him.

Didn’t trust him.

But somehow—

She was now standing on the same side as him.

“Thinking again?”

His voice came from behind her.

She didn’t turn.

“Just trying to keep up.”

Footsteps.

Closer.

“Then you’re doing better than most.”

Emily turned slightly.

He was right behind her again.

Too close.

Always too close.

“Why are you helping me?” she asked suddenly.

Adrian didn’t answer immediately.

His gaze held hers.

Then—

“Because it benefits me.”

She stared at him.

“That’s it?”

A pause.

Then—

“For now.”

Something about that answer…

Didn’t feel complete.

Emily narrowed her eyes slightly.

“You’re hiding something.”

A faint smile appeared.

“Of course I am.”

Her breath caught.

“At least you’re honest about it.”

“I never said I was honest.”

She shook her head, almost laughing.

“You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he said quietly,

“You’re still here.”

Silence.

Their eyes met again.

And this time—

It felt different.

Not just tension.

Something deeper.

Unspoken.

Dangerous.

“Get some rest,” Adrian said finally, stepping back.

“We have a long day tomorrow.”

Emily watched him walk away.

Her heart still unsettled.

Her thoughts still racing.

And one question lingering in her mind—

What kind of man did I really marry?