Chapter 5

Adriana’s POV

“So, does the lady object? I do not plan on taking any other wife or mistress but you.”

I froze for a heartbeat, my mind scrambling like a deer caught in headlights, before I shoved the shock aside and returned to business mode.

“Twice a month,” I said, firm.

It was enough, just enough for appearances, just enough to fulfill duty, and yet not enough to bind us. Yet, something about the thought of him agreeing immediately irked me.

“Once a week,” he said, unwavering.

I narrowed my eyes. “Twice a month.”

He shook his head, resolute, and I felt the tiniest prickle of respect. He wasn’t about to lose a trade so easily.

“Once a week,” he repeated. “My only condition is an heir. Twice a month may not be enough within three years.”

“You already agreed to that,” I reminded him.

“Verbal agreements mean nothing in court. Written agreements matter. And we haven’t signed yet.” He tapped the draft on the tablet screen where his aide typed.

I pressed my lips together. He was sharper than I expected.

“As I’ve said, maybe you don’t know me as well as you think,” he added, and I could see him weighing my every word, my every move.

I reviewed my own terms silently in my mind..’control of the project, equal partnership, respect, protection from infidelity and violence’. I had tilted the scales in my favor. Nothing here disadvantaged me. Except for the nights together. He wanted more than I planned to give.

I smirked, deliberately teasing. “Pity. Fine, then. I’ll trust you on this. I doubt our nights will be unpleasant, judging by how you look.”

I watched him stiffen slightly, self-conscious under my gaze. His posture, his strength..it was all obvious beneath that tailored black suit, yet the way I looked at him seemed to unsettle him.

“Some say it’s a matter of skill,” he said lightly. “I don’t think it will be unpleasant for me either.”

Good. I noted the reaction, storing it away.

“Then we’re agreed. But add that you’ll be pleasant during these nights,” I instructed, returning fully to business.

He laughed quietly. I noted that too..it was the sound of a man amused but intrigued.

“Done. I’ll have two fresh copies drafted. We can finalize with signatures and seals tomorrow,” he said, handing the draft tablet back to his aide.

Before I could reply, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the terrace.

“Adriana. There you are..I’ve been looking everywhere.”

I stiffened. Annoyance flickered, then I forced calm.

“Mr. Cole,” I said formally, curtsying slightly.

He scoffed. “Mr. Cole? Since when the formality? You called me Damian before. And what was going on earlier?” His glare snapped toward Ray. “You didn’t wait for me to pick you up from the estate.”

“Oh, was that the plan?” I said coolly. “By the way, Damian—this is Raymond Martins. I’m sure you know who he is.”

The subtle reminder of hierarchy had its effect. I watched Damian’s jaw tighten.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like a word alone with my fiancée,” he said, trying to edge Ray out.

“Fiancée?” I said, icy. “As I recall, Damian, our families never formalized an engagement.”

His jaw tightened further. “Adriana, dear, it was only a matter of time.”

“No,” I said flatly. “The future changes with one choice. And I’ve made mine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m tired. Please enjoy the gala.”

I turned to Ray, plucked the rose he had placed in my hair, and slid it into his suit pocket square. Small, deliberate, public.

“Thank you for keeping me company. I hope I haven’t bored you.”

I gave the smile I knew he’d read correctly..innocent, yet pointed.

“Not at all,” he said, taking my hand, pressing a slow kiss to my knuckles. I let him hold my gaze.

Damian’s expression darkened, and I felt a tiny thrill. Power shifted.

“By the way, Adriana—you dropped this earlier,” Ray said, producing my silk scarf.

I blinked, caught off guard, then smiled faintly. “Keep it. You’ve taken good care of it. You should keep it as yours.”

The symbolism was clear. Public, personal, unmistakable. I could see Damian’s eyes darken as the implication settled.

I inclined my head. “Good night, gentlemen.”

Damian tried to block my path, but a servant intervened. I walked away unhindered.

I watched Ray whisper to his aide about tailing Damian. Good. Let him think he was in control.

Then I noticed a brunette following Damian, glancing toward the terrace.

“Who is that?” I asked quietly.

Ray answered, but I didn’t need to hear it. I had eyes on the right people.

—

Later, I watched Damian storm into a VIP lounge, Selene at his side. Frustration, desire, calculation—every emotion in play. I studied it, detached.

He would act, she would act, but I was the one with the advantage. Ray. Me. The rose. The contract.

—

The next morning, I returned Damian’s gift…a diamond brooch, a note requesting my hand. I sent both back, unopened.

With Ray’s contract nearly complete, I owed no one else obedience.

My parents accepted it easily, quietly relieved. My younger brother Matthew beamed at me.

“I always felt you and Damian didn’t fit,” he said. “But no matter what, I’m with you, sis.”

Warmth filled me. I hugged him. “Thank you.”

—

The day after, Selene came calling. Sweet, innocent, fake.

“Why the sudden change, Adriana? Damian is handsome, wealthy..surely you’ll reconsider?”

I set my teacup down, patience thinning.

“When did you start calling him so familiarly, Selene?”

She faltered. “He’s been kind to me, despite being from the side branch. I feel closer to him—and to you. He’ll be good to you, Dessie.”

I gritted my teeth. The nickname grated.

“Then why don’t you marry him?”

Her smile cracked. She had no answer.

I watched her, calculating. How long would this little game last? I would not falter. I would not bow.