All Chapters of Coming Back, To Say Goodbye!: Chapter 51 - Chapter 54

“It was a masterpiece of self-destruction.”The Merrick estate began the morning in deceptive silence. Nadine sat at the breakfast table, cool light falling across her tailored blazer, and for one fleeting moment let herself feel calm with the small ritual of coffee.The peace lasted exactly as long as it took Henry Merrick to fold down his newspaper.“So,” Henry began, his voice dry as aged paper, hawk eyes flicking to Adrian. “Has the Chairman’s Proxy decided which fire to put out first, or are we still staring at spreadsheets in the dark?”Nadine sighed, jasmine perfume carrying a trace of her irritation. “Father, please. Save the interrogations for the office. It’s barely seven.”Henry’s smirk was thin and predatory, his gaze lingering on the charcoal bespoke suit Nadine had chosen as Adrian’s armor. “I suppose the presentation will speak for itself. I hope the strategy is as sharp as your suit today.”The rest of breakfast passed in watchful silence. When it was time to leave, Ad

“If you don't mind, can we meet after my office hours, around 6 PM, at Le Petit Café?”At 4:30 PM, Nadine Merrick's phone chimed with a soft, melodic notification. A text from Olivia Wilson."I'm a little nervous about today, Nadine. But since Le Petit Café is right in the middle of the street food district, I wanted to bring you my favorite local snack to try! See you at 6:00?"A bitter smile touched Nadine's lips. In her past life, she had treated Olivia's kindness as a weakness to exploit. She had used Alexander's obsession to trap them both, doing whatever it took to keep Adrian for herself. "You're too pure for this world, Olie," Nadine whispered to the empty room, and typed back a yes.In the glass window, her reflection showed the sharp lines of the Iron Lady. But underneath the armor, she was already mourning the life she was giving away, so Olivia and Adrian could find their way back to each other.*****Across the city that same morning, Alexander Barrett was draped across