LOGINADRIAN Cole stood in the quiet of the office, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, waiting. The walls of the late Mr. Harlow’s company carried a weight of history, a reminder of the legacy Amelia’s father had left behind. It was already two days since he last visited, there had been no reply from his mother-in-law, hence he had visited again.The door clicked open and Mrs. Harlow entered, dressed in a dark navy suit that carried both elegance and authority. She paused at the sight of him, her eyes narrowing with quiet restraint.“Adrian,” she said slowly, her voice clipped. “You have been bold to show your face here again.”He inclined his head. “I had to, Mother. I have not come here to stir trouble. I have only come to see how much things have gone.”Mrs. Harlow crossed the room, setting a folder down on her desk before looking at him. Her face was calm, but her eyes betrayed caution. “It has just been two days, Adrian. Were you really expecting me to say anything to her yet? T
ADRIAN had replayed that old conversation in his head countless times. The harsh click of the phone, Mrs. Harlow’s furious silence before she hung up, it was one of those memories that still stung, even after all these months. Yet today, he found himself walking through the polished glass doors of Harlow Enterprises, Amelia’s late father’s legacy, with a heart full of old wounds and unspoken pleas. Adrian had been there once before, that was years ago, when things were less fractured, when Amelia’s mother still spoke to him with warmth.The receptionist greeted him politely, though the recognition in her eyes betrayed her surprise at seeing the billionaire himself standing there. Adrian’s reputation preceded him everywhere, but this wasn’t a business call, this was far more personal.“I’m here to see Mrs. Harlow,” he said quietly, his tone firm, though inside his chest, his heart thudded hard against his ribs.Minutes later, he was ushered into her office.Mrs. Harlow sat behind her l
THE sprawling elegance of Azure Springs Resort spread before Adrian as his car rolled to a stop at the entrance. The place was breathtaking, marble arches, cascading fountains, lush greenery that framed the wide, gleaming windows. It wasn’t just a business; it was a statement. Amelia’s statement.Adrian stepped out, his tailored suit crisp under the afternoon sun, the sharp lines of his face unreadable as he adjusted his cufflinks. He had chosen not to call ahead, not to announce himself, just as he had been doing. And this time, he had prepared to confront her directly.He pushed through the glass doors, his polished shoes echoing against the marble floor of the lobby. The scent of fresh orchids and cedarwood lingered in the air. Guests moved about, laughter and clinking glasses carrying from the adjoining lounge, but Adrian’s eyes were set on the reception desk.“I’m here to see your CEO,” he said, his voice cool but commanding.The receptionist, startled by the authority in his ton
HER eyes still lingered on the bouquet in Ella’s hands, the orchids and roses, carefully selected, perfectly arranged, exactly the kind of thing Adrian would send. But instead of softening, her gaze hardened, her chin tilting ever so slightly as though she were putting on armor.Ella waited, nervously shifting the bouquet. “Should I… should I put it on your desk, ma’am?”Amelia’s lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, it looked as if she might say nothing at all. Then, her voice came cool and clipped, like the snap of a blade.“No,” she said firmly. “Take it home, Ella. Add it to your vase. Consider it a gift from me.”Ella’s eyes widened. “Ma’am?”“You heard me,” Amelia repeated, her tone unyielding. “I don’t want it anywhere near this office. If he thinks a bouquet will change anything, he has gravely mistaken.”The stunned young woman clutched the bouquet to her chest, her mouth parting as though to protest, but Amelia had already turned away. Her heels clicked softly agains
THAT evening, Amelia sat in the nursery, her back pressed against the rocking chair as her mother gently cradled one of the twins against her shoulder. The little boy still fought sleep, his tiny fists opening and closing as though he had the world to conquer before giving in to rest.Mrs. Harlow hummed softly, rocking him with practiced ease. Her eyes flicked toward her daughter, who was staring blankly at the patterned rug, lost in thought.“You have been quiet since you got back,” Mrs. Harlow said gently. “Something happened at the shop today?”Amelia’s lips parted, but she hesitated. Then, with a sigh, she rubbed her temples. “Adrian came.”Her mother raised a brow, though she didn’t stop rocking the child. “To the boutique?”“Yes.” Amelia shifted uncomfortably, anger flashing in her eyes at the memory. “He came in pretending to be a customer, said he wanted a huge sale, but only if the CEO attended to him. Imagine the nerve.”Mrs. Harlow’s lips pressed together in surprise, tho
AMELIA placed the neatly packed bag on the counter and pushed it toward him. Her fingers were stiff, her expression unreadable.His eyes turned soft, and he simply said.“For you.”Her heart skipped, but pride surged faster. She recoiled as though he had handed her a live wire.“Do you even hear yourself, Adrian? You humiliated me, broke me, and now you think a bag of clothes is going to— what? Undo everything? Make me melt?”“It is not just clothes. It is… it is me trying, Amelia. Trying to reach you again.”“Reach me? With a purchase receipt?” she snapped, then shoved the bag back toward him.“Take your so-called gift and leave. I don’t want it. And I don’t want you hovering around my life pretending this is some grand gesture. It is embarrassing.”His jaw tightened.“Embarrassing? No, Amelia. What is embarrassing is that you would rather keep me at arm’s length than admit you still care. I see it in your eyes, you are still fighting me, not because you don’t feel anything, but beca







