MasukKira's POV"Get in the car." Adrian was already moving with his keys dangling in his hands, jacket abandoned on the back of his chair."What did they say? Did they say anything else?" He asked, trying to confirm the situation."No they didn’t, just that it's urgent.” Kira answered. “Alright, get in."Kira ran beside him through the lobby, her tiny kitten heels clicking softly against the marble floor of the hotel, staff turning to watch as they passed, and she barely had the door shut before Adrian gunned the engine, tires screeching against the driveway as he pulled out onto the main road."Adrian, slow down—""I've got it, don’t worry."He wove between two slower cars, cutting across a lane change that drew a horn blast from somewhere behind them, his hands steady on the wheel despite the speed climbing on the dashboard. Seventy. Eighty. The city blurred past the windows, storefronts and pedestrians reduced to smears of color."Adrian, slow down—""I've got it."He blew through a
Kira's POV"Elijah." Kira set her cup down, genuinely startled. "Hi. It's been a minute. What are you doing here?"He didn't answer right away, his eyes moving from her to Adrian and back again, something cold settling as his face looked like life had been physically drained out of it."Business meeting," he said finally. "Didn't expect to run into you. Either of you.""Small world," Adrian said, standing, his tone easy. "Elijah, come join us, there’s plenty of food.""Ohhh, no thanks.""You sure? There's more than enough.""I said no."The bluntness of it landed harder than it needed to, and Kira felt her spine straighten instinctively, an old defensiveness kicking in even though nothing about this should have surprised her."How have you been?" she asked anyway, trying to ease the awkwardness."Fine." He glanced at her plate, then back at her face, the look on his face unreadable in the look. "Didn't take you long.""Didn't take me long for what?""This." He gestured vaguely between
Kira's POVKira stepped out of the elevator and into the private dining area where the breakfast is being served, the smell of fresh coffee and warm bread hitting her before she'd even reached the table. The room was quiet and literally empty this early, probably it’s just because it was private for just the both of them.It was just a few staff moving discreetly near the far wall, the morning light spilling rays of gold across white linens. Adrian stood as she approached, pulling out her chair before she could reach for it herself."I ordered a few things," he said. "Wasn't sure what you were in the mood for.""A few things meaning the entire menu?" Kira said as she turned her head around to see the entire table."Close enough."She sat, smoothing the gown beneath her, still faintly unsettled by how perfectly it fit, how the kitten heels hadn't pinched once on the walk down. He pushed her chair in gently before returning to his own seat across from her. The table was already crowded
Kira's POV"Adrian?" Kira lowered the phone from her ear, still holding it loosely as Alyssa's voice buzzed faint and forgotten against her palm. "What are you doing with all these bags?""I got you some clothes." He lifted them slightly, like the answer should have been obvious. "And shoes. I wasn't sure what you'd want, so I got a few options.""A few options." Kira glanced at the sheer number of bags stacked against his arms. "Adrian, this looks like you bought out half the store.""Maybe half a floor.""Alyssa, I'll call you back." Kira ended the call without waiting for a response and crossed her arms, watching him shift the bags awkwardly against his chest. "You went shopping while I was asleep, that’s uhmmm….interesting. I guess.""You needed stuffs and I had time to kill.""You could have woken me.""You looked like you hadn't slept in days, Kira. I wasn't about to shake you awake just to ask if you preferred cotton or silk."She followed him back into the suite, and he set th
Kira's POVRing. Ring. Ring.Kira jolted upright, disoriented, her hand fumbling for the phone before her eyes had even adjusted to the unfamiliar room. A ray of sunlight cut through a gap in the curtains, and for a moment she couldn't place where she was, the ceiling was too high, nothing about the room came as familiar."Hello?""Good morning, ma'am, I hope you had a splendid night." The voice on the other end was bright, professional. "We just wanted to confirm, would you like breakfast brought up to the penthouse, or would you prefer to come downstairs? We can arrange the VIP area for you and Mr. Westbrook.""Mr. Westbrook?" “Penthouse?” Kira sat up straighter, gripping the phone tighter, her stomach dropping at the sound of the name spoken so casually. "I'll come down. Thank you."She set the phone back in its cradle slowly, her mind still catching up to the room around her, the unfamiliar ceiling, the heavy curtains blocking out most of the morning light. Nothing about this bed
Adrian's POV"Mr. Westbrook?" The man crossed the lobby quickly, hand already extended, a slight bow following the handshake. "Sir, I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was you.""It's fine.""No, sir, please, I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience. Had I known you were the one at the desk, this would never have happened." The manager's eyes flicked toward the clerk still frozen behind the desk, her face pale. "What's the issue, Mr. Westbrook?""I need a room, and—""Done. Done, sir." The manager cut him off before Adrian could finish, already turning toward the desk, snapping his fingers once at a nearby staff member who scrambled to attention. "Which of our suites or wings would you like?""No room available, sir, I already told him the wing is held for—" the clerk started.The manager rounded on her, voice dropping low enough that he clearly hadn't meant for Adrian to hear it. "Can you shut up before you lose your job?"Adrian heard it anyway. A faint smile pulled at the corner of his
ADRIAN POV“Where is she?”The man behind the desk looked up. Mid-forties. Balding. Nervous eyes.“I’m sorry, sir. Who are you looking for?”“Kira. Where is she?”The man’s expression changed. He kind of recognized Adrian, but still wanted to ask just to be sure. “And you are?”“I’m her husband.”“
Vanessa Pov When she returned to the table, Adrian was on his phone. She sat down. “Everything okay?” “Fine.” But he didn’t look fine. He looked tense. Vanessa picked up her fork and kept eating. Dessert came. Chocolate cake. She took a bite and offered him some. He tried it but barely seem
ADRIAN POV Adrian was still staring at the photo on his phone when he heard the front door open. Voices. His mother. And Ethan. He quickly closed the app and set his phone down. “Adrian?” Catherine’s voice echoed through the house. “In the kitchen.” Footsteps. Then his mother appeared
**ADRIAN**The two lawyers stood in front of Adrian’s desk. Professional. Calm. Like they delivered divorce papers every day.Maybe they did.The woman spoke first. “Mr. Westbrook, we’re here on behalf of our client, Kira Ashford, to formally discuss the dissolution of your marriage.”Adrian’s hand







