ling papers and murmured conversations. The meeting had gone even better than expected. Months of preparation a

Adrian's personal assistant, Sarah, approached him with her usual

It's your mother," she said,

Elena. It had been two days since he last saw her, and the silence from her was starting to

id, lifting the phone

h, warm but with a certain gravity that made his

in his chair. "The meeting just ended and the

bout something important. We're coming into town this evening. It's... it's a

d. "Retirement? Since

while now. We're not getting any younger, you know. But don't

ficant step for his parents, especially his father, who had always been deeply involved in the family busine

asual. "I'll be home by the time you get

ce softening. "It's been too

aid, though his mind was el

wn him off balance, but what really bothered him was Elena. It wasn't like her to go silent for this lon

standing up and st

responded, already anti

said. "I'll be at the estate tonight.

lied, noting it down immedi

bothered. First by the words of his mother and second

r. Oh God please keep hersel

rive home felt longer than usual, his thoughts a tangled mess of con

rand entrance, did little to calm his nerves. As he stepped inside, his mind and heart calmed down and the warm

xpression contrasting with his mother's gentle smile. Adrian greeted them

ou," his father said, his v

taking a seat across from them. "Mom mention

nd I have decided that it's time for us to step back from the business. W

d. He had known this day would come eventually, b

cy we've built," his father contin

d about your future. You've been so focused on the business, and we're proud

d a feeling he knew where this

d we've been thinking about your future, about finding someone

ice steady. "I'm not sure I'm ready for that ye

out family. We've been talking to the Romanos, and they've expressed interest in a union between our fam

l events, and while she was undoubtedly beautiful and poised, there was

ng I can just jump into because it's convenient for the business," Adri

d slightly in surprise.

ship with Elena. "Her name is Elena. She's... different

know what it means to be part of this family

g a surge of protectiveness. "All that matter

ou can't be with her, but think about the long-term implications. Vivian comes from a strong fa

erstand what you're saying, but I can't-won't-marry som

bed his words. His father looked like he wante

ut we won't force you into anything you're n

ke sure she was okay and to figure out where they stood. He couldn't let his parent

o go now. There's somethin

m. He needed to find Elena, to talk to her, to know that she w

mbled mess. He hadn't heard from her in two days, and the wor

reath before heading inside. He knocked on her door, his

t still nothing. His anxiety spiked as he reached for his phone to call

knocking once more

d open, revealing a sleepy Elena. She looked up at him wi

? Why are you here?" she

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