leep well

e had looked at me as if I were a temporary detail in Adrian's carefully constructed world. I kept replaying her

at the faint outline of the cur

lly belo

m the event, crept into my chest, and

mplications rather than honesty. I had entered it not by choice, but by necessity. And while Adrian had done everyt

was...

-

and made my way downstairs, hoping the stillness would calm my

and sat at th

oving into the mansion, I

ater, he paused when he saw me. His

early," he

you," I

me. For a moment, neither of us spoke. But it wasn't the comf

quiet," he

at my cup. "

. "Last night...

aid softly

ightly. "Elena, if t

d, then immediately softened my tone. "

?" he

r world expects a certain kind of woman beside you.

tened. "And you thi

from a place where survival mattered more than appearances

ly. "And you think t

"But I think it make

ead, he reached across the table an

said firmly. "You are different

To you. But what ab

"Everyone else do

s voice sent a smal

-

eceived a call that chan

the study-not in anger, but in restrained frustration. When he em

te dinner tonight," he said.

ropped. "Int

ly meet you," he cla

elt sudden

at's a good idea,

wned.

goes," I replied. "They'll analyze me.

ey don't?"

him. "That's

en he said, "I won't put you in tha

tangled in my c

ay wore on, that re

alized somet

would always feel like a

-

nging on the wardrobe door was simple but elegant-chosen carefully, thoughtfully.

then when?

g breath and chan

nstairs, Adrian l

oming?" he a

trembling but determined

in his eyes. "Alright," he said so

-

re. The air buzzed with quiet conversation and restraine

it imme

scru

ine without hesitatio

uction

ite. Others w

, Elena?" a woman a

ed calmly. "I car

ed slightly. "Ho

spoke. "She does more in a day

nked, then sm

laire watching from across the room. S

to see you here,"

ct to be," I r

ad. "This world c

antly. "So can others. Tha

"I'm only concerne

lmly. "But your conc

ication

-

one of the board membe

were surprised by you

om wen

lied evenly. "I i

ften benefits from alignment,"

st tig

an s

e steady but powerful. "My marriage is not

ion was

she is not here to be evaluated. She

eath

e," he concluded, "then that disco

ce fo

wly, someone

s fol

at Adrian

is gaze unwavering

ears threat

the first ti

do

fe

ong

-

neither of us spo

red, "You didn't

eplied soft

him, my hear

light. "Because choosing

ettled deep

-

bed, I realized somethin

no longer just a

a decla

eady, undeniable-h

where