Because of her former status as his assistant, Sara rarely appeared at the company after their marriage. A Cinderella story of an assistant marrying the CEO looked inspirational on the surface, but behind closed doors, it attracted scorn.
Perhaps being back at her old workplace triggered the memories. Sara's mind drifted to their wedding.
After his breakup with Eva, Adrian had become a machine. Four hours of sleep a night. Every other second filled with high-intensity work until his body nearly collapsed.
Sara, as his assistant, had been the one picking up the pieces.
In his hotel suite, Adrian had asked her without preamble: "I heard you need money."
At the time, Simon was in critical condition after the explosion. Sara had drained her savings and borrowed from every friend she had, but she'd barely scraped together a third of what was needed. She'd applied for a salary advance, never expecting the CEO to notice.
Before she could respond, Adrian dropped the bomb. "Marry me, and I'll give you everything you want."
It hadn't even been twenty days since Eva left him.
Sara stared at him in disbelief. "Why me?"
His answer was cold and concise. "I need a wife."
A transaction, clearly priced. He used her to retaliate against Eva's abandonment. Sara knew this. But with Simon dying in a hospital bed, dignity was a luxury she couldn't afford. Every second she hesitated, Simon's chances of survival dropped.
She didn't think twice.
She couldn't lose Simon. They weren't blood relatives, but they were family.
From proposal to marriage certificate, it took two days. She sold herself into the marriage in a daze.
Back then, she never expected to fall in love with him.
And she certainly never expected that once she did, Eva would return.
A group of people exited the elevator, snapping Sara back to reality.
Adrian was in the center. Sharp suit, commanding attention, standing out effortlessly from the crowd.
The driver unlocked the doors, expecting Sara to get out. She stayed put. The short distance between the car and the elevator felt like an uncrossable chasm.
"Work was hard."
When the crowd dispersed and he opened the car door, Sara had already buried her sorrow. She greeted him with a practiced smile.
Adrian paused, surprised to see her. "When did you get here?"
"Just now." Warmth coated her voice. "Are you working overtime tonight? The housekeeper made dinner—let's go home together?"