Chapter 2: She Came Back

At three thirty that afternoon, the Regulatory Affairs meeting was still underway.

“The Phase 3 clinical study report for JS-01 is complete,” the department head said. “The long-term follow-up data requested during our pre-NDA meeting will be filed by Friday. We’ve finished two internal reviews of the submission package, so we’ll be ready to file the New Drug Application next week.”

He turned to the final page. “Manufacturing has also completed process validation. All three batches met specifications. From this point on, we’ll be preparing for the FDA’s pre-approval inspection and responding to any additional information requests.”

Adrian read the report, then tapped one page with his finger.

“Reconcile the serious adverse event data with the clinical sites one more time.”

“I’ll have Clinical Development review it today. You’ll have the results tomorrow afternoon.”

“Good. That’s all.”

The department head gathered his files and left. Adrian had just reached for the coffee Evan had brought him when someone knocked.

“Come in.”

One of the executive assistants opened the door. “Mr. Mercer, a representative from TÉRA is here. He’d like to deliver a gift for tonight’s benefit personally.”

“Send him in.”

The man who entered looked to be in his forties. After a brief introduction, he placed a long presentation box on the desk.

“TÉRA commissioned this tie for tonight’s charity auction, Mr. Mercer. We hope you’ll accept it. Of course, we would be honored if you chose to wear it.”

Inside lay a silk tie in smoky blue. Fine silver threads formed a subtle pattern that shifted beneath the light, revealing half of a rose.

“Mira selected the color and designed the pattern herself,” the representative added. “She thought it would suit you.”

Adrian gave the tie a passing glance.

Someone had clearly done their research. His fondness for roses was hardly a secret.

Still, he disliked wearing ties unless an occasion demanded one, and every formal look in his closet had already been coordinated by his tailor. There was no woman at home choosing things for him, and he had never cared enough to do it himself.

“Keep it,” he told Evan.

The representative understood. The gift had been accepted; whether Adrian wore it was another matter. He thanked him and wisely left it there.

At seven, Adrian’s Bentley stopped beneath the awning of the Halcyon Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

The benefit director hurried forward as the rear door opened. Adrian stepped out in a black suit, the clean lines emphasizing the breadth of his shoulders. His shirt was buttoned to the collar, paired with the navy tie he usually wore.

Cameras immediately swung toward him.

Flashbulbs burst across the entrance. Adrian lifted one hand against the glare, putting his wedding band in full view.

Evan could already picture tomorrow’s headlines speculating about the secret Mrs. Mercer.

Adrian rarely attended social events. His appearance tonight had drawn twice the usual number of financial reporters, especially with Mercer Biotech preparing to file the NDA for JS-01. The company had also secured zoning approval for a new life-sciences campus in Westchester County and was seeking strategic partners for up to a forty-percent stake in the development.

One project involved an oncology drug nearing FDA review. The other was attracting investors before construction had even begun. Everyone wanted an answer from Adrian.

“Mr. Mercer, have you chosen a commercialization partner for JS-01?”

“When will the Westchester campus break ground?”

“Are you prioritizing industry partners or institutional investors?”

Adrian paused long enough for photographs but answered none of them. The benefit director escorted him inside while Evan stayed behind to manage the press.

Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over champagne glasses and evening gowns. During the short walk to his table, Adrian collected enough business cards and invitations to fill a drawer.

He stopped when courtesy required it, exchanged a few words, and accepted a drink from an old partner. No one could accuse him of being rude, though no one would mistake him for sociable either.

He had hated ballrooms like this for five years.

The last time he had stood beneath chandeliers with champagne flowing around him, he had been waiting to announce his engagement to Rosalie. The party had ended before they ever reached the announcement.

Tonight was different. Adrian never missed the annual leukemia research benefit.

His mother had died of the disease when he was sixteen. Back then, all he could do was watch her grow weaker. Years later, he established the Mercer Foundation to fund patient care and blood cancer research. This benefit remained the one invitation he accepted every year.

His table was near the stage. The director was halfway through introducing the evening’s guests when Adrian stopped walking.

A woman stood several yards away.

Her smoky-blue gown fell in clean, graceful lines, its understated design making her impossible to overlook. Her dark curls were swept into an elegant updo, revealing the delicate curve of her neck.

She held a champagne flute and was listening to the man beside her. Whatever he said made her smile.

The chandelier light passed over her face.

Adrian forgot the room around him.

Someone greeted him. He didn’t answer.

The director followed his gaze. “That’s Mira, TÉRA’s designer. I was about to introduce you.”

His gaze traveled from the woman’s face to her dress.

It was the exact shade of the tie delivered to his office that afternoon.

So Rosalie was Mira.

And she had chosen that tie for him.

Five years away, yet she still wanted them dressed to match.

Had she been that certain he would obey?

Adrian took a slow sip of champagne, unable to stop the corner of his mouth from lifting. Then he took out his phone and called Evan.

“Bring me the blue tie.”

Evan hesitated. “It won’t work with the black suit, sir. Should I bring the charcoal one from the car as well?”

“Yes.”