Standing at the base of the stairs, Adrian watched Roses retreating figure vanish above. A sudden fire roared in his chest, fierce and irrational.

Hadnt she once clung to him, whispering declarations of love, craving his touch even as dawn threatened the edges of the night? And now? She spoke of leaving as if their marriage was nothing but the shallow flick of a matchstick, so quick to burn out.

Adrian couldnt fathom it. What had spurred Rose into this resolute decision?

Retrieving his phone from his pocket, he dialed his assistant. When Calvins voice came through, Adrians was sharp and cold. Have you finished digging into what I asked?

Because the blame couldnt possibly lie with him; that much, Adrian believed fervently. It had to be her. Whatever had led to this rupture must lie buried beneath her own secrets.

Calvin stammered before finally offering, Sir, I Id prefer to explain in person. Im on my way to Sun Garden nowcan we discuss this when I arrive?

Adrians patience was fraying. Then hurry. He ended the call with an exasperated growl, no longer interested in his half-eaten meal. The dinner table, once pristine and elegant, now felt suffocating.

Without another word, he gestured to Claire to clear everything away and headed upstairs. He found Rose exactly as he expectedpacking.

Leaning casually against the doorway, Adrian watched her with an ache he couldnt articulate, something simmering hot beneath his ribs.

Rose, he said, his voice low but edged with something almost desperate, where would you even go without me? Dont be so childish. There was nothing serious between me and Yvonne.

Rose didnt pause, her resolute hands tucking garments into her suitcase with a mechanical efficiency. She didnt even look at him.

Nothing serious? she echoed, her voice trembling faintly though she fought to keep it steady. Holding her in your arms, kissing her in front of a room full of people, and you call that nothing serious?

Her throat tightened, her chest bruising from the weight of unshed tears. But this wasnt just about Yvonne. There was a deeper fissure in her resolve, one that couldnt be mended.

The truth? Yvonne had only lit the match. What Rose truly feared was the inferno Adrian would unleash if he ever found out about her two children. They were her secret, one she had fought to guard greedily, even foolishly. But no more.

Yvonne's intrusion had been a wake-up call. Rose couldnt live forever in this fragile fantasy, pretending her hidden life would never catch up to her. Children grow. The truth, like fire behind paper, always burns through.

It was time to end the charade.

Adrians silence stretched between them like a taut wire. His jaw tightened. Yvonne only stumbled into my arms at my birthday party. It wasnt deliberate, and certainly not an affair. She kissed me. If youd bothered to ask, instead of acting on impulse, youd

Save it, Adrian, Rose bit off, cutting him short. Her fingers paused on the zipper of her suitcase, but she still didnt face him. It doesnt matter.

Adrian took a step back from her, his gaze hardening. If youre so determined to leave, fine. His voice was colder now, lined with steel. But youll have to explain yourself to Grandfather. Im not going to do it for you.

With that, he left the room. By the time he reached his study, Calvin had arrived, paperwork clutched in his trembling hands.

Adrian beckoned him inside silently and shut the door. Then, turning to face him with a dark intensity, he demanded, What did you find out? What is she hiding? Who has she been meeting? And where?

Calvin faltered, reluctant to utter the words that felt as if they might split the very air. He bowed his head, then quietly placed the folder on Adrians desk.

Youll youll want to see this for yourself, sir.

Adrian frowned, suspicion gripping his chest. He shuffled through the photos. At first glance, nothing seemed unusualthe images showed Rose in everyday settings, nothing incriminating. Except there were children in nearly every frame.

Two little ones, bright-eyed and impossibly cherubic, their features finely chiseled as if crafted from porcelain. Twin toddlers, no older than two, toddling at Roses side or held protectively in her arms.

Adrian straightened, holding one of the photos closer. So shes nannying? Taking care of someone elses kids?

The idea made him scoff aloud. It was absurd. His wife, the lady of the Reid household, stooping to such a role?

No. Calvin swallowed thickly, knowing what his next words would provoke. Theyre not someone elses children, sir. Theyre hers.

For a moment, nothing happened. Adrians hand hovered midair as if the weight of the photo it gripped had suddenly multiplied.

What did you just say? His voice was barely above a whisper.

The twins, sir. Rose gave birth to them. Shes their mother.

Adrians expression froze, and then the storm broke. The folder exploded from his hand, scattering photographs across the floor like ghosts unleashed from a forbidden vault. He stood, trembling with suppressed rage.

Do you know who you're speaking to? he barked, his voice thunderous now. Rose is my wife. If she had children, Id know. Do you understand me? I would know!

But Calvin didnt flinch. Cautiously, he pressed forward. Sir, the nanny who looks after the children confirmed it. I couldnt locate records of Rose giving birth overseas, but we can arrange for a DNA test. Its the only way to

Stop. Adrian forced himself to breathe. His hands gripped the edges of the desk, white-knuckled. He shook with the effort of containing himself.

This was impossible. It made no sense. Rose had left for three years abroad, yes, but the timeline didnt fit. She was only twenty-four now. How could she have raised two children in such a short span, unnoticed? When she married him, there hadnt been so much as a ripple of suspicion.

And shed loved him thenhadnt she?

Calvins voice broke through the haze of Adrians thoughts. Sir, we need tissue samples. A hair, maybe something from her bathrooma toothbrushwith the root intact. Itll be enough for testing.

Adrian hesitated, his head swimming. Then, at last, he nodded. Fine. Do what you need to. But keep this between us. He turned, his tone regaining its deadly calm, even as disbelief clawed at him from the inside. And make sure no one else finds out. Understand?

Yes, sir. Calvin bowed and departed quietly, leaving Adrian alone with the wreckage strewn across his study.

For a long time, Adrian didnt move. He stared down at the scattered photos, their fragile truths gleaming up at him under the lamplight.

Rose he murmured to no one but himself. Half a question. Half a plea. And wholly unanswered.