The restaurant’s warm glow faded behind me as I stepped outside, my heels clicking softly against the pavement.

The air was crisp, yet my chest felt unbearably heavy.

Vincent hadn’t said much during lunch, but his silence spoke louder than words. The way his gaze lingered on me, calm yet unreadable—it always left me confused.

He called it a date, but it didn’t feel like one.

It felt like another test. Another reminder that whatever existed between us had long lost its warmth.

He didn’t stop me. He just stood there, his eyes shadowed.

Once outside, I inhaled deeply, hoping the wind would carry away the ache twisting in my chest. But it didn’t.

“Cab!” I called softly, waving my hand.

One stopped almost immediately, and I climbed in.

“Where to, miss?” the driver asked.

“Just drive,” I murmured, pressing my forehead against the window.

The city blurred past in streaks of gold and grey. Inside the quiet cab, my thoughts were anything but still.

Why did Vincent always manage to unsettle me?

Why, even after everything he did… did a single look from him make my heart ache in ways I couldn’t explain?

Maybe I was just tired.

Maybe I was still too human.

When the cab slowed at a traffic light, something outside caught my eye—a baby shop, all glass and soft colors, with the words Tiny Blessings written in cursive across the sign.

“Stop here,” I said quickly.

The driver parked, and I paid him before stepping out. The faint chime above the door jingled as I entered, welcoming me into a world of softness and light.

Little clothes, pastel blankets, tiny shoes—everything so small and delicate that my heart ached.

I ran my fingers over a cream-colored onesie, trying to picture the little miracle growing inside me wearing something like it.

“Cute, isn’t it?”

The familiar voice made me stiffen. Turning, I found Adrian standing there with a faint smile.

“Adrian?” I blinked, surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“Shopping,” he said easily, holding up a neatly wrapped gift box. “My sister’s baby shower. You?”

“I just…” I hesitated, then smiled weakly. “I need to get some fresh air.”

He nodded, his eyes gentle. “You look like you’ve had a long day.”

I gave a small laugh. “You have no idea.”

“Come on,” he said. “Walk with me. You could use some sun.”

Before I could refuse, he’d already opened the door, waiting patiently. Something in his calmness eased me, and I followed.

---

The late afternoon sunlight bathed the park in a golden haze. We strolled along the path, the gentle breeze playing with the loose strands of my hair.

We both stood there for a while, the world slowing down around us. Then, unable to hold it in any longer, I asked, “How’s JB Company doing now? I heard there were still issues.”

Adrian exhaled, his face tightening with thought. “Actually, things are stabilizing. Slowly, but surely. We’ve been trying to rebuild trust with investors.”

“That’s good,” I said softly, though guilt pricked my chest. “I… I’m sorry for what happened. I ”

“You still think it was the KNT Group?” Adrian finished, his tone neither accusing nor mocking.

My breath caught. “How, weren't the KNT Group the ones pulling the strings?”

He nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I did think the same . But Alice, you were wrong about that. KNT wasn’t behind JB’s downfall.”

My heart skipped. “What?”

He nodded. “I didn’t want to say anything until I confirmed it, but I’ve been looking into the reports. The numbers didn’t add up. Someone else has been manipulating things from behind the scenes.”

I shook my head, confusion clouding my mind. “That doesn’t make sense. The documents, the sudden drops, the data leaks—it all traced back to KNT!”

“That’s what they wanted you to think,” Adrian said firmly. “But I found something different. Around the same time JB’s stocks fell, KNT’s shares started dropping too. Their internal data was tampered with. If they were the ones attacking you, they wouldn’t sabotage themselves.”

My lips parted, disbelief flooding through me. “You’re saying… someone else orchestrated everything?”

“Yes,” he replied. “A third company, hidden behind shell investors. They set up a perfect illusion—one that made you and Vincent turn against each other.”

I stared at him, my chest tightening. “No… that can’t be.”

“It’s the truth,” Adrian said quietly. “I wouldn’t bring it up unless I was sure. I’ve seen the records myself.”

His words sank slowly, painfully.

And then, all at once, the memory hit me—the day I stormed into Vincent’s office, throwing accusations like daggers.

The way his jaw had tightened. The hurt that flashed in his eyes before he’d turned cold again.

*‘If that’s what you think of me, Alice, then maybe I was wrong about you.’*

I had thought it was guilt. But maybe… It was disappointing.

My breath hitched. I felt dizzy.

“Alice?” Adrian reached out, steadying me as I stumbled.

“I—sorry,” I muttered, gripping his sleeve.

“It’s okay,” he said softly. “Careful.”

But my footing gave way again, and this time, his arm went around my waist, pulling me close before I could fall.

For a heartbeat, we froze like that — inches apart, my palms resting lightly against his chest.

His scent — clean, masculine — enveloped me, and for that brief second, everything felt quiet.

Then—

Snap! Snap!

The sound of a camera shutter sliced through the silence.

Adrian’s head whipped around instantly, but whoever it was had already disappeared into the crowd.

I pulled away quickly, my heart pounding. “Oh my God… someone took a picture.”

He frowned. “Ignore it. Probably just a random shot.”

I shook my head. “No, it didn’t sound random. They were focusing on us.”

Adrian looked at me steadily. “Even if they were, you didn’t do anything wrong. You almost fell; I caught you. That’s all.”

Still, my chest tightened with unease. “You don’t understand, Adrian. People always twist what they see.”

He sighed. “Then let them. The truth will always come out eventually.”

I looked up at him, guilt flickering through my eyes. “You shouldn’t have to get caught up in my mess.”

He gave a faint smile. “Maybe I don’t mind it.”

I blinked, startled by the warmth in his tone.

Before I could say anything, he added gently, “You’ve always carried too much blame, Alice. Not everything that went wrong was your fault.”

I dropped my gaze. “But I hurt Vincent. I accused him, humiliated him… and all this time, he was innocent.”

“Then tell him that,” Adrian said simply.

I looked up, surprised. “What?”

“Go to him,” he continued. “You don’t owe me an explanation, Alice. But you owe him the truth. Before someone else twists it.”

I stared at him for a long moment before nodding. “You’re right.”

A small smile curved his lips. “I usually am.”

I laughed softly. “Thank you, Adrian. For everything.”

He shrugged lightly. “Anytime. Just don’t trip again, okay? I might not be there next time.”

I chuckled, wiping the corner of my eyes. “Noted.”

As I waved down a cab, he called after me, “Hey—Alice?”

“Yeah?” I turned.

“Don’t let the past define how you move forward.”

His words lingered long after I slid into the back seat.

“Where to?” the driver asked.

I hesitated only for a second. “The Markston Estate,” I said.

The car pulled into the busy street. I stared out the window, the city lights reflecting in my eyes.

I needed to see Vincent.

I needed to tell him everything.

But deep down, a quiet dread gnawed at me.

Because somewhere out there, the person who took that picture was already sending it to someone—

someone who would make sure Vincent saw it first.

And when he did…

I didn’t know if he’d listen to the truth again.