LOGINBut the next second, the smile on Adriana's face went stiff.Beside Oliver sat Sophia.Sophia caught her looking and offered an easy, unbothered greeting. "Adriana, congratulations."Adriana composed her expression and gave a small nod. "Thank you."Sophia had been Chris's accomplice, and Adriana had never had much goodwill to spare for her.Oliver smiled at her. "If you two aren't in a rush to fly home, let me treat you and Francesco to dinner."Francesco turned his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over cool and even, his tone just as flat. "We'll see."Adriana flashed Oliver an OK sign instead. There was a dinner after the ceremony tonight, but tomorrow was open.Milo and Maeve so rarely got to travel. She and Francesco were planning to take the twins around Djarmany and Euronea for a bit before flying home.The ceremony began soon after. When the host read Adriana's name aloud in Djarmanian, she rose to her feet, her black suit tracing the clean, sharp lines of her silhouet
At the start of the new year, Adriana won an international research award, and her name started popping up in scientific journals and news coverage everywhere.On the flight to Djarmany for the ceremony, Adriana closed her eyes to rest while Francesco helped Margaret watch over the twins.Adriana had originally meant to go alone, never planning to bring the whole family along, but Francesco had insisted that a moment this special needed everyone there to witness it.They weren't technically a family yet, not in the official sense, but there was no arguing with how shameless he could be, or how good he was at wearing her down.It was Milo and Maeve's first time on a plane. The two of them pressed their faces to the window, eyes round with wonder, chattering nonstop over everything they saw.Milo pointed at a big, puffy cloud outside. "Maeve, that cloud looks like cotton candy."Maeve answered in her babyish voice, "I think it looks more like the bunny at Grandpa's house."Milo di
Inside the box lay a princess's crown set with a sapphire, deep blue and quietly striking, plainly worth a fortune.Beside it sat a pale moonstone pendant engraved with the word "Maeve," its surface warm and smooth to the touch.Francesco carried the twins into their room. When he came back out, his gaze landed on what was inside the box, and he already had a good guess who'd sent it.Adriana tucked the postcard back into the box and closed the lid.She put it away carefully, then sat down on the sofa in silence, her feelings a tangled mess.She didn't know how Chris was doing these days. She didn't dare go see him. She was afraid her presence alone would make things worse for him.Francesco sat beside her and took her hand."It's not just Chris who needs letting go of. It's you too. He's a lot stronger than you think he is. Stop worrying."Adriana looked back at him, into those warm blue eyes, and felt the tight knot inside her loosen bit by bit.She smiled and nodded, turnin
Adriana hadn't been at the Stanley house long when Bella arrived with Pomme and her parents in tow.The moment Milo and Maeve spotted Pomme, their eyes lit up. Within seconds the two of them were trailing after her like a pair of devoted shadows.Wherever Pomme went, they went. There was no shaking them.Pomme was only a year older than the twins, but she carried herself like a proper big sister. She gave way to them, looked after them, and sometimes even played referee with great solemnity, settling their squabbles for them. The twins treated her word as law; whoever she declared the winner, they accepted without question.Bella smiled as she handed Adriana a gift. "Just a little something. Keep it for the kids."Adriana took it and opened it, only to find two property deeds inside.She looked up, a little stunned. "This is far too much."Bella waved a hand, unbothered. "I'm their godmother, and your family doesn't want for anything. Two houses were the best I could do. When th
Adriana rested for two or three days after getting back, then returned to work at the office.With Oliver's help, the company's project had kept moving along without a hitch the whole time. He'd compiled detailed notes and records for her covering every last detail, thorough enough that she could pick things right back up the moment she stepped into the lab.Her days settled into a steady, orderly rhythm, and before long, another year was drawing to a close.Some instinct to avoid the subject kept her from ever going to see Chris. And because Alex had helped Chris get out to international waters, she'd cut off contact with him entirely as well. Bella mentioned that Alex had resigned as hospital director and was now working as a volunteer physician, treating patients who couldn't afford care.Adriana didn't concern herself with either of them anymore. None of it had anything to do with her now.Today, as she came out of the lab, she ran straight into Bella.She laughed and caugh
Adriana gave Francesco's arm a light pinch, then turned over and closed her eyes."There. That counts as thanks. Now let me sleep."She hadn't pinched hard, just enough to carry a hint of annoyance, though it read more like teasing than anything else.Francesco laughed softly, pressed his chest against her back, and pulled her in snug against him.Ever since Adriana had gone missing, he'd barely slept a full night through. Now, with her right here beside him, warm and real, her familiar scent filling every breath, an overwhelming wave of exhaustion crashed down over him. Adriana was still awake when he drifted off first.She turned her head gently and looked at him by the thin sliver of light seeping in through the gap in the curtains. Even asleep, the exhaustion on his face was unmistakable.A rush of tenderness and heartache welled up all at once, lodging tight in her chest.And for the first time since her disappearance, she slept soundly through the night.When she woke, th
Francesco was supremely confident, moving without a shred of protective gear.Adriana tightened her grip on her sword, testing him with two tentative thrusts—both easily dodged by Francesco.His reflexes were lightning-fast, and soon he returned a strike of his own. Adriana couldn't evade it in ti
Daisy studied Edward, a flicker of something unusual passing through her eyes. The boy looked far too much like a member of the Slater family."Mhm, I gave birth overseas," Joan said.She gently nudged Edward toward Daisy. "Edward, hurry up and say hello to Daisy.""Hello, Daisy.""So adorable,"
Until the end of the next workday, Adriana hadn't received a reply from Chris.She had dinner with Oliver, and on the way home, she saw Joan and her son on a video call in the living room."Chris, I want a toy.""Alright. Tell your mom what New Year's gift you want."Chris's voice was clear, tho
Francesco rose and sank into the sofa. "Sit."Adriana took the seat across from him. "May I ask what kind of meeting this is?"The clock pointed to eleven. Most of the office staff had already left. She suspected his intentions weren't about the meeting at all, but about cornering her.Francesco'







