Chapter 4: Memories That Won't Fade

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 her usual grace, holding a fresh batch of reports. “Sir, these are the finalized budget allocations for the upcoming quarter.”

Her voice was steady. Professional. As if nothing had ever happened between them.

Adrian exhaled slowly and took the documents, flipping through them. “Sit.”

Elena hesitated for a moment before lowering herself into the chair across from him.

The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken words.

Finally, Adrian spoke, his voice colder than he intended. “Tell me, Elena. Do you sleep peacefully at night?”

She looked at him, startled. “Excuse me?”

He leaned back in his chair, watching her closely. “After everything you've done, after the betrayal, do you sleep soundly? Or do you ever wake up feeling guilty?”

Elena’s fingers tightened around the edge of her skirt. “Sir, if you would just listen to me—”

“Listen?” He scoffed, shaking his head. “I listened to you for years. I trusted you. And what did you do? You stabbed me in the back.”

Elena inhaled sharply. “I didn’t—”

“Don’t,” he interrupted, his voice like ice. “Don’t sit there and act like you’re innocent.”

She fell silent, gripping her hands together.

Adrian stared at her, frustration warring with something else—something he refused to name.

Because the truth was, no matter how much he wanted to hate her, he couldn’t erase the memories.

The late nights they spent in the office, working side by side.

The way she always knew exactly what to say when he was stressed.

The way she used to smile at him, genuinely, without hesitation.

His chest tightened.

“You’re quiet now,” he muttered, placing the report on his desk. “Is it because you know I’m right?”

Elena exhaled, her gaze dropping to her lap. “No, sir. It’s because I know you won’t believe me no matter what I say.”

Her words struck something deep inside him, but he refused to acknowledge it.

“That’s because liars don’t deserve to be believed.”

Elena flinched, her lips parting slightly before she pressed them into a thin line.

Adrian should have felt satisfied seeing her discomfort.

He didn’t.

Instead, there was an ache in his chest he couldn’t shake.

A part of him wanted her to argue. To fight. To prove him wrong. But she didn’t.

She just sat there, quiet and composed, the same way she always had when things got tough.

And that made him hate her even more.

Elena lifted her gaze, her voice softer this time. “Do you remember the night of the investor gala last year?”

Adrian stiffened.

Of course, he remembered.

It was the night everything changed.

They had spent the evening entertaining investors, but afterward, they had ended up in his office—just the two of them.

They had talked for hours, laughing, reminiscing.

And then...

His throat tightened.

He had almost kissed her.

Almost.

“Why are you bringing that up?” he asked, his voice harsher than he intended.

Elena smiled faintly, but there was sadness in her eyes. “Because that night, I thought I meant something to you.”

Adrian’s fingers curled into fists. “You did. And look where that got me.”

She looked down. “I know you won’t believe me, but I never wanted to hurt you.”

He let out a bitter laugh. “You keep saying that, but it changes nothing.”

Elena swallowed hard, then stood. “I should go.”

Adrian should have let her leave.

He should have dismissed her like he always did.

But the moment her hand reached for the door, his voice stopped her.

“Elena.”

She turned back, her eyes wide.

For a second—just a second—he forgot his anger.

Forgot the betrayal.

All he saw was the woman he once cared for.

His lips parted, the words forming before he could stop them.

“Why, Elena? Why did you do it?”

She hesitated, her fingers gripping the doorknob.

“If you would just listen, you’d know the truth.”

Adrian clenched his jaw. “Then tell me.”

Elena opened her mouth—

And the office phone rang, breaking the moment.

Adrian cursed under his breath, grabbing the receiver. “What?”

The receptionist’s voice came through. “Sir, the board meeting starts in five minutes.”

Adrian exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll be there.”

When he looked up, Elena was already reaching for the door again.

“We’re not done,” he said firmly.

She nodded once. “I know.”

Then, she walked out, leaving Adrian alone with memories that refused to fade.

But as the door clicked shut, a nagging suspicion settled in his chest.

Something about the way she had spoken, the way she had looked at him—it didn’t feel like the guilt of someone who had betrayed him.

It felt like the pain of someone who had been betrayed.

And for the first time since that awful night, doubt crept into his mind.

What if... he had been wrong all along?