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She remembered now—just a flicker of that day. She had been flipping through a magazine, sitting across from him as he typed away on his laptop. She had been showing him things from a magazine that she liked.

“Adrian, look,” she had said, her voice cheerful, youthful hope dancing in her tone. “For my birthday, I want pink roses.” She had grinned and held the magazine up across the table.

He never even looked up.

“And I love this color!” She had added. “This car caught my eye the moment I saw it. I think—”

Before she could finish, Adrian had pulled a card from his wallet and tossed it at her without a glance.

“Here,” he muttered, slamming his laptop shut. “Buy whatever you want. Then, go back to your house. I need some privacy.”

And just like that, he had walked away.

The magazine had fallen to the floor, the card left untouched.

She had stared at the card like it was a slap, her heart shattering in silence as he walked away.

The card had never been used. The car had never been bought. And Adrian had never mentioned it again.

She had thought he hadn’t even heard her. But clearly, she had been wrong.

Back then he just didn’t care.

Now, he grabbed her hand, lifting it gently, and slid the car keys onto her ring finger. “I bought it for you. Because you loved it so much.”

Sienna immediately yanked her hand back, her gaze dropping to the keys, then lifting to meet his eyes coldly. “I only accept gifts from my husband.”

7 Big Rewards

Adrian’s jaw tightened. His fingers clenched hard around the keys. His chest lifted as he took a deep breath and exhaled sharply.

“I know you loved me once,” he said finally, the words raw, cracked with emotion. “You gave me your everything and I blew it all to hell.” He reached out again, cupping her chin in his large palm, his touch warm but heavy. He tilted her face up, forcing her to meet his eyes. “But now, I can’t even give you a car?”

“I don’t want to talk about the past,” Sienna muttered, looking away, trying to pull back again, but he didn’t let her go this time.

Adrian grabbed her hand again, slipping the keys into her palm and folding her fingers into a fist around them, his grip lingering on her fist.

“Then take it for now. Use it. Use it for your father’s business if you want. Keep it in your garage. I don’t care. Just… have it. Until you decide what you want to do about us.”

“And what if I never change my mind? What if there’s no ‘us’ ever again?”

Adrian leaned in, towering over her as his face dipped into the curve of her neck. She could feel his breath—warm, familiar. Then came a soft kiss, just above her collarbone. A sigh escaped her lips before she could stop it.

“Then it’s still yours,” he whispered against her skin, his voice deep and possessive. “Even then, this car is yours. It always was. I bought it for you. It belongs to you.”

Sienna shuddered. His beard brushed against her neck, coarse and warm, and his hand slid down to her waist. She trembled as his fingers slowly inched up her side, caressing her breast softly. Her breathing hitched when his lips met hers, but just as his kiss deepened, she pushed him away.

She slipped out of his hold and walked back toward the hall, her arms folded tight across her chest. Her body trembled slightly, but she held her head high, refusing to let him see the effect he still had on her.

***

The presidential suite at the Ritzwood Hotel was like a dream spun out of memory and regret. It was lavish, romantic—the kind of setup that screamed of apology and longing. Soft candlelight flickered on every surface. Pink roses spilled across the bed. A gourmet dinner set for two sat on the side. Champagne. Pictures of them from the past displayed with care.

Adrian stood by the window, tall and powerful in a black dress shirt rolled up to the elbows, his sleeves showing off the muscles in his forearms. He held his phone tight, staring at the last message he had sent her over an hour ago.

‘When will you be here?’

It wasn’t the first. He had sent dozens since the day they’d met again. She had never replied.