Adrian had been in his office, his attention drifting despite the contracts in front of him. The quiet hum of the air conditioning was the only sound until his phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced at it, frowning. The notification wasn't for him but a message from Joi, accidentally sent to his phone: "Hope you have a good day ahead. Talk soon."
His jaw tightened. Adrian knew this wasn't for him—it had Shane written all over it. The warmth in those simple words stung more than he cared to admit. He tossed the phone aside, a bitter laugh escaping him. She had always been distant with him, but with Shane? It seemed like she was opening herself up.
He hated the thought of her smiling for another man, especially Shane Dawson—his rival. It wasn't about love, he told himself, not when his heart was still entangled with Sophia. But the jealousy burned in him nonetheless, inexplicably sharp and unrelenting. It was maddening.
Adrian stood abruptly, leaving his office. If Shane wanted to step into his world, he'd find a way to crush that. But for now, there were other things to handle—things that needed his focus. Sophia. Isabella. His reputation. Joi was his fake fiancée, and she would remain in her place.
Meanwhile, Debbie sat in Shane's office, her nails tapping against the armrest of the leather chair. Her thoughts were a storm of envy and frustration. She had worked so hard to stay close to Shane, to prove she was everything he needed—a loyal employee, a constant presence in his life. But no matter what she did, Shane's attention was elsewhere. On Joi.
Debbie's lips pressed into a thin line. Joi always took what she wanted without even trying, without caring about the people she left behind. Men who were once captivated by Debbie always turned their eyes to Joi in the end. And now, it was happening again with Shane.
Shane's voice broke her thoughts. "Debbie, are you listening?"
She startled, forcing a smile. "Of course, Mr. Dawson. What were you saying?"
Shane gave her a small frown. "I was asking if Mayra's schedule is set for next week. The school has that winter event coming up."
"It's all handled," Debbie said smoothly, regaining her composure. "Everything is under control."
"Good." Shane leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. "I'll need to make some adjustments to my schedule too. I want to take Joi out for dinner this week."
Debbie's smile faltered, her fingers tightening on the armrest. She forced herself to nod, but inside, her jealousy flared. "How could he think about Joi like this? What did she have that I don't?"
As soon as the meeting ended, Debbie stormed out of Shane's office, her mind racing. If Shane couldn't see how much she cared, then she'd make him see it. And if Joi had to pay the price for that, so be it.
That evening, Sophia sat with Adrian in the living room, Isabella nestled against her side as they watched a movie. Adrian's focus was elsewhere, his phone in hand as he scrolled through emails.
Sophia noticed his distraction and leaned closer. "You're working too hard, Adrian," she said softly. "Isn't this why I came back? To help ease your burdens?"
Adrian glanced at her briefly, his expression unreadable. "You're here for Isabella."
"And for you," Sophia added, her voice laced with sweetness. "You've always been my home, Adrian. Everything I've done—leaving and returning—it's always been about us. And Isabella deserves a family."
Adrian stiffened at her words. Sophia didn't miss the hesitation in his eyes, the way he avoided her gaze. She leaned in closer, her hand brushing his arm. "You and I belong together. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"
Sophia's words hung heavy in the air, her implication clear. Adrian remained silent, his thoughts clouded. He hadn't stopped loving Sophia, not completely. And yet, there was Joi—an entirely different storm brewing in his life, one he couldn't fully comprehend.
"I don't want Joi in the middle of this," Sophia continued, her tone soft but firm. "You can't keep playing this game with her, Adrian. She doesn't belong here, not in your world. Not in ours."
Adrian's jaw clenched. Sophia's words were calculated, and he knew it. But he also couldn't deny the logic behind them. Isabella needed stability, and his world couldn't afford distractions. His fake engagement to Joi had already served its purpose. Perhaps it was time to end it.
"Think about it," Sophia said gently. "For Isabella. For us."
She leaned back, a satisfied smile on her lips. She had planted the seed, and now it was only a matter of time before Adrian saw things her way.
---
Upstairs, Joi sat in her room, oblivious to the plans forming below. She was lost in thought, her heart torn between Shane's warmth and Adrian's cold, confusing presence. She hadn't heard from Adrian all day, and it only reinforced her belief that she didn't matter to him.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Shane: "Dinner this week? Let me know when you're free."
Joi hesitated, her fingers hovering over the screen. She wanted to say yes, to escape the tangled web she was caught in with Adrian. But something held her back—a lingering doubt that she couldn't shake.
Before she could respond, a knock sounded at her door. It was Mrs. Catlin. "Mr. Adrian would like to see you in the study."
Joi frowned but nodded, following Mrs. Catlin downstairs. When she entered the study, Adrian was standing by the window, his posture rigid.
"You wanted to see me?" Joi asked, her voice cautious.
Adrian turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "You've been spending a lot of time with Shane."
Joi's eyes widened slightly, taken aback by his bluntness. "Is that a problem?"
Adrian's gaze hardened. "I don't care who you spend your time with, but you should remember your place. You're my fiancée in name, Joi. Start acting like it."
The sharpness in his tone stung, butJoi refused to back down. "And what about you? You've been playing house with Sophia ever since she came back. Don't lecture me about loyalty when you've been doing the same thing."
Adrian's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. Instead, he turned back to the window, his silence heavier than any argument. Joi stood there for a moment before leaving the room, her chest tight with frustration.
As she walked away, Sophia watched from the shadows, a satisfied smirk on her lips. Everything was falling into place.