The Annual Charity Gala was less a party and more a warzone dressed in silk.
Cameras flashed. Champagne flowed. Diamonds sparkled. And somewhere between the ice sculpture and the violin quartet, Sophia made her entrance—flawless as ever in a midnight-blue gown that screamed power more than beauty.
Adrian stood beside her, the perfect arm-candy husband in a tailored black tux, hand resting gently on her waist like it belonged there.
They were a picture-perfect couple.
A lie, dressed in luxury.
"Smile," Sophia whispered through gritted teeth as another camera flashed.
Adrian leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear. "I am smiling. I'm just also counting how many people here probably think we sleep in separate wings."
She smirked. "You'd be surprised. Some might think we don't sleep at all."
He gave her a sideways glance. "Do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Think about us. At all."
She sipped her champagne and didn't answer.
Just then, a tall woman with honey-blonde hair and confident heels approached them. Her eyes sparkled with just the right touch of malicious curiosity.
"Adrian Blake," she drawled, "I didn't expect to see you here. Still saving lives or finally decided to upgrade your social life?"
"Cassidy," Adrian said evenly. "Still dramatic, I see."
Sophia's eyebrows arched. Cassidy.
Of course. The ex.
Cassidy turned to her. "And you must be the wife. I've heard so much. I'm Cassidy Thorn. Adrian and I were—"
"Inappropriate," Sophia cut in with a smile that could slice glass. "Lovely to meet you."
Cassidy blinked, then laughed. "He always did like the fiery ones."
She walked away, but the tension lingered.
Adrian cleared his throat. "That was… awkward."
Sophia didn't respond right away. Then, quietly: "How many more of your 'Cassidys' do I need to shake hands with tonight?"
He looked at her, surprised. "Jealous?"
She rolled her eyes. "Careful, Doctor. Don't mistake sarcasm for affection."
But jealousy wasn't far from the truth.
The thought of him loving someone else, even before, dug deeper than it should have.
The rest of the night blurred into polite greetings, fake laughter, and too many posed photos. But when they finally got into the car, silence fell like a heavy curtain.
Adrian undid his tie slowly. "You didn't have to defend me back there. But thank you."
Sophia stared out the window. "She had no right."
He leaned in, searching her face. "Then tell me something. Just once. Were we ever real to you, Sophia? Or was I just a mistake you buried under your ambition?"
She looked at him. Eyes tired. Guard still up.
"Maybe," she said, "you were the only thing that ever felt real. And that's why I ran."