CHAPTER 2: TRUTH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
The mansion emptied before midnight.
Rumors spread faster than the wine had poured.
The bride was gone.
Her gown abandoned on a velvet chair.
Adrian sat in his study, still in his tux, staring at nothing.
Lena stood near the doorway, unsure if she should stay.
“You can sit,” he said without looking up.
She hesitated… then did.
“I should’ve told you sooner,” Lena whispered. “I didn’t want to lose my job.”
Adrian let out a hollow laugh.
“My son almost lost his voice.”
Silence filled the room.
“He wasn’t like this before her,” Adrian said. “He used to run to me.”
Lena nodded gently. “He still wants to.”
Adrian finally looked up.
“But he’s afraid you won’t choose him.”
That hit harder than anything else.
May you like
Adrian leaned back slowly.
“I already did,” he said.
