Elena's Wedding Invitation

Adrian didn't move.

Neither did Elena.

For a moment, the entire office seemed to exist outside of time.

Six months of silence stood between them.

Six months of unanswered questions.

Six months of anger that had never managed to erase the one thing Adrian hated most about himself.

He still loved her.

He hated that he did.

Elena seemed to read something in his expression because her smile softened.

Not with guilt.

Not with apology.

Something far more difficult to understand.

Recognition.

"You haven't changed," she said.

Adrian gave a humorless laugh.

"Neither have you."

"Is that supposed to be an insult?"

"It's an observation."

Elena walked farther into the office.

Adrian's gaze followed her.

"Why are you here?"

"I told you."

"I want a real answer."

"You always did."

"Elena."

His voice sharpened.

Her expression remained perfectly calm.

"I wanted to see you."

"After six months?"

"Yes."

"After everything?"

"Yes."

Adrian stared at her.

"You expect me to believe that?"

"I don't particularly care what you believe."

His jaw tightened.

There it was.

That same Elena.

The woman who could sit across from him and say the most devastating things in the calmest voice imaginable.

"You walk into my office after six months," he said, "and tell me you wanted to see me."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I was curious."

"About what?"

"You."

Adrian almost laughed.

"There's nothing left to be curious about."

Elena's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Isn't there?"

"You made your choice."

"I did."

"You made it very clear."

"I did."

"You told me you wanted another man."

Elena's expression changed.

Barely.

But Adrian saw it.

"I never said that."

"You slept with him."

"Yes."

"You chose him."

"No."

Adrian stared at her.

"You just said it was your choice."

"It was."

"Then what exactly am I supposed to understand?"

Elena's gaze remained fixed on his.

"I chose what I did."

"And you don't regret it."

A pause.

"I regret hurting you."

Adrian looked away.

"That's not the same thing."

"No."

"It isn't."

He turned back toward her.

"Do you know what I spent six months wondering?"

Elena said nothing.

"Whether any of it was real."

Something flickered in her eyes.

"You know it was."

"Do I?"

"Yes."

"Because I don't anymore."

Elena's expression became strangely quiet.

Adrian continued.

"I don't know which parts were real. I don't know whether you loved me. I don't know whether you ever wanted our marriage. I don't know whether you woke up one morning and decided you were tired of being my wife."

"I didn't."

"Then why?"

Elena looked at him for several seconds.

"I told you."

"That it was your choice."

"Yes."

"That's not an answer."

"It is the only one I can give you."

Adrian's hands curled into fists.

"You always do this."

"Do what?"

"Say just enough to make me believe there's something more."

Elena's expression remained composed.

"Perhaps there is."

"Then tell me."

"I can't."

"You won't."

She didn't answer.

Adrian stepped away from his desk.

"You don't get to come back here whenever you want."

"I know."

"You don't get to walk into my office and reopen everything."

"I know."

"You don't get to look at me like that."

Elena's eyebrows lifted.

"Like what?"

"Like you still know me."

A small smile touched her lips.

"I do know you."

"Not anymore."

"You're angry."

"Of course I'm angry."

"You're hurt."

"Don't."

"And you're still in love with me."

The words landed between them.

Adrian went completely still.

Elena didn't smile this time.

She simply watched him.

Adrian's voice dropped.

"Get out."

Elena's eyes remained on his.

"Adrian—"

"Get out."

"I didn't come here to fight."

"Then why did you come?"

She didn't answer.

"Why, Elena?"

Silence.

Something inside Adrian finally snapped.

"Get out of my office."

Elena's expression remained calm.

"Listen to me."

"No."

"I haven't finished."

"I don't care."

"Adrian—"

"Get lost, Elena."

The words echoed through the office.

Silence followed.

For the first time since entering, Elena seemed genuinely surprised.

Not frightened.

Not intimidated.

Just surprised.

Then, slowly, she smiled.

It wasn't the smile of someone who had won.

It wasn't even the smile of someone who was amused.

It was something Adrian couldn't understand.

"You still lose your temper when you're hurt."

"Leave."

"I will."

She turned toward the door.

Adrian looked away.

He expected anger.

A final cutting remark.

Perhaps tears.

Instead, Elena reached into her handbag.

She withdrew a cream-colored envelope.

"Before I go..."

Adrian didn't turn around.

"What?"

She placed the envelope on his desk.

"You should open that."

He glanced at it.

"What is it?"

"An invitation."

"To what?"

Elena smiled.

"My wedding."

Adrian froze.

The room seemed to become completely silent.

Slowly, he looked at her.

"What?"

"I'm getting married."

For once, Elena's voice held no mystery.

No hesitation.

Just certainty.

Adrian stared at her.

"You're..."

He couldn't finish.

"Getting married," Elena repeated.

His eyes dropped to the envelope.

Then returned to her.

"To who?"

Elena smiled.

"You'll find out."

"When?"

"At the wedding."

His expression hardened.

"You came here to give me a wedding invitation?"

"Among other things."

"What other things?"

Elena's smile deepened.

"I'll let you wonder."

Adrian stared at her as though he were trying to find the trick hidden somewhere inside her words.

"You expect me to attend?"

"I hope you do."

"Why?"

"Because I invited you."

"That's not an answer."

"It is today."

She turned toward the door.

Then stopped.

Her gaze shifted beyond Adrian.

Toward the glass wall overlooking the corridor.

Sophia stood outside.

She had been trying very hard not to listen.

Unfortunately, the silence inside Adrian's office had made that impossible.

Elena opened the door.

Sophia immediately straightened.

"Ms. Laurent."

Elena smiled.

"Come here."

Sophia hesitated.

Then walked toward her.

Adrian watched.

"Elena."

She ignored him.

When Sophia came close, Elena leaned toward her.

She whispered something directly into Sophia's ear.

Only a few words.

Sophia's expression changed instantly.

Her eyes widened.

Her lips parted slightly.

Elena pulled away.

Neither woman spoke.

Adrian stared at Sophia.

"What did she say?"

Sophia looked at him.

For perhaps the first time since he had met her, she had absolutely nothing to say.

Elena smiled.

"Goodbye, Adrian."

She walked toward the elevator.

Adrian didn't move.

His eyes remained on Sophia.

"What did she say?"

Sophia swallowed.

"I..."

She stopped.

Elena stepped into the elevator.

The doors began to close.

Her eyes met Adrian's one final time.

And she smiled.

The doors shut.

Adrian looked down at the cream-colored envelope sitting on his desk.

His name was written across the front.

He picked it up.

His fingers tightened around the paper.

Six months ago, Elena had destroyed their marriage with a choice she insisted belonged entirely to her.

Tonight, she had returned with another choice.

And somehow, Adrian had the terrible feeling that this one was going to hurt even more.

He looked at Sophia.

"Who is she marrying?"

Sophia said nothing.

Adrian opened the envelope.

And the world seemed to stop.