True to his word, Adrain arranged for his home office to be fully equipped. His large study was renovated into a sleek and efficient workspace, complete with secure connections to the company’s boardroom via encrypted video feeds and systems for virtual communication with all departments.He delegated, coordinated, and led major meetings from home, always making sure that he never had to step too far from Elena. The staff knew to keep interruptions minimal and to only bring the most urgent matters to him directly.Meanwhile, Elena was treated like royalty. Fresh fruit platters. Hand-picked meals crafted by the mansion’s chef according to her cravings. Soft classical music played on surround sound while she rested in the lounge or read on the patio. Every evening, Adrain would massage her feet gently, whispering little jokes and telling her stories to make her laugh.She protested at first—at least a little—but it was hard to argue with a man who looked at her like she was the only per
After the scan, Dr. Moore conducted the rest of the routine checkup, confirming Elena’s vitals were stable, and her energy levels were where they should be. She offered gentle advice on nutrition and managing stress, along with prenatal vitamins to continue taking.As they stepped out of the examination room and back into the hallway, Adrain couldn’t stop looking at the sonogram prints. He was quiet for a while, as if lost in thought, then suddenly turned to Elena and said, “This changes everything. I thought I loved you at my fullest… but seeing this, feeling this… I love you even more now.”Elena touched his face, leaning into his shoulder. “And I love you, Adrain. More than words.”They walked out of the hospital hand-in-hand, their hearts full, their bond stronger than ever.This wasn’t just a checkup—it was the first official encounter with a piece of their shared future. And it was beautiful.The drive back from the hospital was quiet but not silent. It was filled with the kind
The morning sun poured golden light through the curtains as Adrain helped Elena into the car, his hand protective on her lower back. The day had finally arrived—the gender reveal appointment. There was an unspoken excitement in the air, a kind of nervous anticipation that neither of them wanted to admit out loud. Both had made playful claims in the days leading up to this moment: Adrain had already imagined their daughter with pigtails and sharp wit, while Elena pictured a little boy with his father’s eyes and calm demeanor.“I’m telling you, Elena,” Adrain said as they drove through the quiet city streets, “I’ve had dreams. She’s a girl. I can already hear her voice calling me ‘Daddy.’”Elena chuckled and gave him a teasing look. “And I’ve had dreams of our son—curious, strong, and always asking questions about the world.”Adrain shook his head with a grin. “Well, one of us is going to be proven right today.”They arrived at the private hospital and were ushered into the familiar wa
At first, it didn’t raise alarm. Everyone deserved a break after what they'd endured, especially Elena, who had endured more than anyone had seen on the surface. But now, her absence stirred a quiet concern in Sophie’s chest.Unable to resist the growing curiosity, Sophie made her way to Adrain’s office. She knocked gently, and upon hearing his familiar, “Come in,” she stepped inside. Adrain was seated by the window, working through some documents on his tablet, dressed casually in a linen shirt, a slight smile touching the corner of his lips when he saw her.“Sophie,” he said warmly, setting the tablet aside. “What a pleasant surprise. Everything alright?”Sophie nodded, then hesitated. “Yes… I just wanted to ask—how’s Elena? I hope everything is okay.”Adrain's smile deepened slightly, touched by her concern. But before he could respond, the door clicked open again.It was Adrain’s trusted investigator. His eyes shifted between the two of them, and he raised a brow. “I hope I’m not
The dimly lit office bore the weight of his despair. Papers lay scattered across the mahogany floor, some crumpled in fits of rage, others soaked with spilled wine.A shattered glass globe lay in pieces near his desk, a silent testament to his turmoil. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, mingling with the faint fragrance of his cologne, now dulled by sweat and exhaustion.Adrain sat hunched over his desk, elbows resting on the cold surface, his fingers gripping his temples as if trying to hold himself together.His dark eyes, usually sharp and commanding, were red and swollen, glistening with unshed tears. His entire body trembled with the force of his emotions. He couldn’t believe it—he didn’t want to believe it."How could she?" he murmured, his voice hoarse from screaming, from pleading with the reality that refused to change."Like, how could she? After everything we've been through?"His lips quivered as he shook his head. He wiped his face with the back of his hand, but
The morning sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting streaks of golden light across the bedroom.A piercing headache throbbed in Adrian’s skull, a lingering effect of last night’s emotional breakdown and the bottles of wine he had downed in a futile attempt to numb his pain.With a low groan, he sat up, rubbing his temples as flashes of the previous night stormed through his mind. The betrayal. The anger. The humiliation. His fists clenched as he remembered her face—Elena’s face—the woman he had trusted, the woman he had given a position close to him, Elena that he has helped in so many ways, only for her to stab him in the back, and stood there like she wasn't aware of what was happening or what she'd done. Dragging himself out of bed, Adrian strode toward the bathroom, turning on the cold water to jolt himself awake. He braced his hands on the sink, staring at his reflection. His dark eyes held a storm of emotions, his jaw set in unyielding resolve. He had allowed himself to
Elena barely had time to settle at her desk when her phone rang.Adrian: Come to my office. Now.She closed her eyes for a moment, steeling herself. She had known today wouldn’t be easy, but the cold efficiency of his call sent a clear message—he wasn’t done making her life miserable.Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her notepad and hurried to his office.When she knocked and stepped inside, Adrian didn’t acknowledge her at first. He was seated behind his massive desk, flipping through documents, his expression unreadable. The tension in the room was suffocating.Finally, he spoke without looking up. “You’re late.”Elena frowned. “Sir, you only just—”His sharp gaze lifted, pinning her in place.“Did I ask for an excuse?”She swallowed hard. “No, sir.”He smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Since you’re so eager to keep this job, I assume you’re willing to work for it?”Elena hesitated but nodded. “Yes, sir.”Without another word, Adrian slid a thick folder across the desk. It was a
Adrian sat at his desk, staring at the financial reports on his screen, he was lost in thoughts, his mind wasn’t on the numbers.It was on her.Every time Elena walked into his office, every time she spoke, every time she looked at him with those determined eyes, something inside him wavered.He clenched his jaw, shaking his head. No. He wouldn’t let himself be weak. Not after what she had done, not after everything he has been through and not even in this his condition, that he can't help but always think of what happened, why it happened and how come it happened.He had spent months convincing himself that she was nothing to him, that her betrayal had turned whatever existed between them into ash. And yet, the moment she walked into the office, his focus shattered. The memories he fought so hard to suppress resurfaced, taunting him.A sharp knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. He knew who it was before she even stepped inside.Of course it was Elena.She walked in with he
At first, it didn’t raise alarm. Everyone deserved a break after what they'd endured, especially Elena, who had endured more than anyone had seen on the surface. But now, her absence stirred a quiet concern in Sophie’s chest.Unable to resist the growing curiosity, Sophie made her way to Adrain’s office. She knocked gently, and upon hearing his familiar, “Come in,” she stepped inside. Adrain was seated by the window, working through some documents on his tablet, dressed casually in a linen shirt, a slight smile touching the corner of his lips when he saw her.“Sophie,” he said warmly, setting the tablet aside. “What a pleasant surprise. Everything alright?”Sophie nodded, then hesitated. “Yes… I just wanted to ask—how’s Elena? I hope everything is okay.”Adrain's smile deepened slightly, touched by her concern. But before he could respond, the door clicked open again.It was Adrain’s trusted investigator. His eyes shifted between the two of them, and he raised a brow. “I hope I’m not
The morning sun poured golden light through the curtains as Adrain helped Elena into the car, his hand protective on her lower back. The day had finally arrived—the gender reveal appointment. There was an unspoken excitement in the air, a kind of nervous anticipation that neither of them wanted to admit out loud. Both had made playful claims in the days leading up to this moment: Adrain had already imagined their daughter with pigtails and sharp wit, while Elena pictured a little boy with his father’s eyes and calm demeanor.“I’m telling you, Elena,” Adrain said as they drove through the quiet city streets, “I’ve had dreams. She’s a girl. I can already hear her voice calling me ‘Daddy.’”Elena chuckled and gave him a teasing look. “And I’ve had dreams of our son—curious, strong, and always asking questions about the world.”Adrain shook his head with a grin. “Well, one of us is going to be proven right today.”They arrived at the private hospital and were ushered into the familiar wa
After the scan, Dr. Moore conducted the rest of the routine checkup, confirming Elena’s vitals were stable, and her energy levels were where they should be. She offered gentle advice on nutrition and managing stress, along with prenatal vitamins to continue taking.As they stepped out of the examination room and back into the hallway, Adrain couldn’t stop looking at the sonogram prints. He was quiet for a while, as if lost in thought, then suddenly turned to Elena and said, “This changes everything. I thought I loved you at my fullest… but seeing this, feeling this… I love you even more now.”Elena touched his face, leaning into his shoulder. “And I love you, Adrain. More than words.”They walked out of the hospital hand-in-hand, their hearts full, their bond stronger than ever.This wasn’t just a checkup—it was the first official encounter with a piece of their shared future. And it was beautiful.The drive back from the hospital was quiet but not silent. It was filled with the kind
True to his word, Adrain arranged for his home office to be fully equipped. His large study was renovated into a sleek and efficient workspace, complete with secure connections to the company’s boardroom via encrypted video feeds and systems for virtual communication with all departments.He delegated, coordinated, and led major meetings from home, always making sure that he never had to step too far from Elena. The staff knew to keep interruptions minimal and to only bring the most urgent matters to him directly.Meanwhile, Elena was treated like royalty. Fresh fruit platters. Hand-picked meals crafted by the mansion’s chef according to her cravings. Soft classical music played on surround sound while she rested in the lounge or read on the patio. Every evening, Adrain would massage her feet gently, whispering little jokes and telling her stories to make her laugh.She protested at first—at least a little—but it was hard to argue with a man who looked at her like she was the only per
The soft murmur of waves crashing against the shore still lingered in their memories, the vacation having brought a long-awaited peace into their lives. But peace wasn’t meant to last forever—not when life had its own surprises to offer.Elena stirred awake with a pounding head and a rolling sensation in her stomach. She had barely stepped into the kitchen that morning when dizziness overcame her. She gripped the countertop for support, the glass of juice slipping from her hand and shattering on the floor. Her vision blurred.“Elena!” Adrain caught her just before she collapsed, scooping her into his arms with panic etched deep across his face. “We’re going to the hospital. Now.”Within minutes, they were in the back seat of the car, Adrain cradling her head gently on his lap. He held her hand, not once letting go. His heart was racing faster than the vehicle speeding down the highway. Elena had been through so much, and now this?At the hospital, Adrain paced relentlessly outside the
The warm, gentle hum of the private jet vibrated through the seats as Adrian and Elena soared through the clouds once more — but this time, they weren’t fleeing battles or seeking refuge.They were returning home.Stronger. Wiser. Unbreakable.Adrian glanced sideways at Elena, who was curled up beside him, a soft smile gracing her face as she watched the clouds drift past the window. The golden wedding band on her finger caught the light, a brilliant symbol of everything they had endured — and conquered — together.Adrian gently squeezed her hand, a silent vow passing between them.We made it.We’re not just survivors.We are victors.Back to the CityThe city skyline greeted them with its familiar glittering lights, but this time, it felt different.This wasn’t the same city that had tried to destroy them.It was their kingdom now — and they were returning as the rulers.At the private hangar, black luxury cars awaited them, along with a small but trusted security team. There were no
The private jet lifted smoothly into the evening sky, slicing through layers of clouds bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun.Inside, Adrian and Elena sat side by side, fingers loosely intertwined, the weight of the past months slowly dissolving with every mile that carried them away from the chaos they had conquered.It wasn’t just a trip.It was a declaration.A declaration that they had survived.That they had emerged victorious.And now, it was time to truly breathe again.The destination was a well-guarded secret, carefully selected by Adrian himself:A hidden island in the Mediterranean, known only to a few, where white sand beaches stretched into infinity and the waters shimmered in endless shades of blue and green.The world could wait.They had earned this.Arrival at ParadiseThe jet touched down smoothly on a private runway tucked between lush palms.A sleek black car awaited them, its driver greeting them with a respectful nod before whisking them along a winding co
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting golden beams over the towering skyline.For Adrian and Elena, it was more than just the end of a day.It was the end of an era of betrayal—and the beginning of a reign no one could challenge.After the thunderous conference that shook the city's business world, the ripple effects were immediate and unstoppable.Phone lines buzzed.Emails flooded in.Messages of congratulations, partnership offers, and investment proposals poured into the company headquarters, one after the other, as if the heavens themselves had opened in their favor.Top executives from around the world who had once been hesitant—cautious to align themselves with a company mired in scandal—now rushed to forge new alliances.Within 24 hours:Three major international corporations signed fresh partnership deals with Adrian's company.Investment firms scrambled to buy stakes, their confidence in Adrian’s leadership soaring.Prestigious philanthropic foundations offered collabor
The day had come.The city buzzed with anticipation.Whispers had already started circulating through media houses, financial circles, and social platforms:Adrian would make a public statement today.No one knew exactly what to expect.Was he stepping down? Announcing bankruptcy? Surrendering?They couldn’t have been more wrong.The conference venue was a masterpiece of design—elegant and powerful, a mirror of Adrian's legacy. Thick marble columns lined the entrance, and luxurious carpets paved the way to the stage, where a massive backdrop displayed the company’s emblem in bold gold letters.Security was tight.Top executives, loyal board members, press agencies, and investors gathered. Their murmurs filled the vast hall, blending curiosity with tension.Inside a private waiting room, Adrian stood before a full-length mirror.He adjusted his dark suit—a deep navy tailored perfectly to his recovering frame. His shoulder was still bandaged beneath the fabric, but he carried himself ta