The peace Adrian and Grace finally earned felt like a treasure hard-won, and it was worth every moment of celebration. After all the storms they had weathered—the schemes, betrayals, and heartbreak—this calm was something neither of them would take for granted.
Adrian planned a grand evening to mark this turning point in their lives. He rented an exclusive rooftop venue overlooking the city skyline, adorned with soft lights, cascading floral arrangements, and a live orchestra playing their favorite songs. It was an intimate affair, meant only for their closest friends and a few trusted allies who had stood by them through the chaos.
As Grace walked into the venue, her eyes widened at the sight before her. "Adrian…this is incredible," she whispered, her voice laced with awe.
Adrian smiled, taking her hand. "Not as incredible as you. You deserve the world, Grace, and this is just the beginning."
The evening was filled with laughter and warmth. Their friends raised toasts to their resilience, praising their ability to rise above every challenge. Olivia gave a heartfelt speech, recounting moments of Adrian's struggle and determination.
"I've never seen someone so committed to fighting for what's right," Olivia said, her voice steady but emotional. "Adrian, you've not only proven your strength but also your heart. And Grace, you're his anchor—his reason to keep pushing forward. Here's to the two of you and the beautiful life you're building together."
The crowd cheered, glasses clinking as the orchestra shifted to a romantic melody. Adrian extended his hand to Grace, leading her to the dance floor.
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Sinclair?" he asked, his tone playful yet tender.
Grace laughed softly, placing her hand in his. "Always, Mr. Sinclair."
As they swayed to the music, the rest of the world seemed to fade away.
Later that night, as they stood at the edge of the rooftop, looking out over the city lights, Adrian pulled Grace close.
"We've been through so much," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "And if I've learned anything, it's that none of this—no success, no victory—means anything without you. You're my partner, my strength, and my peace."
Grace turned to him, her eyes shining. "And you're my heart, Adrian. No matter what comes next, I'll always stand by you.
Unbeknownst to Adrian and Grace, their joyful celebration was being observed from the shadows by Sarah, Adrian's childhood friend. She stood at a discreet corner of the rooftop venue, her heart heavy with emotions she could no longer suppress.
Sarah had grown up with Adrian, sharing countless memories of laughter, adventures, and dreams. In her mind, their bond had always been special—so special that she had convinced herself it would one day blossom into something more. Over the years, she had watched him rise, fall, and rise again. Through it all, she had held onto the hope that she might be the one standing beside him when he reached the pinnacle of his success.
But now, watching him with Grace, the reality of her unfulfilled dream hit her like a cold wave.
As Adrian swayed with Grace on the dance floor, Sarah couldn't help but recall the times they'd danced together at school events or how he used to promise to take her to fancy places when they "made it big."
"One day, I'll buy us a rooftop dinner like this, Sarah," he had once joked after they climbed a tree in her backyard to watch the sunset. "Just you and me, looking down on the world."
She had laughed it off back then, but secretly, she had tucked that moment away in her heart, cherishing it as a promise. Now, watching him living that promise with someone else, she felt like an outsider in the story she had always believed she belonged to.
Sarah's fists clenched as she observed the way Adrian looked at Grace—with a love and devotion so deep it left no room for anyone else. She felt a surge of envy, anger, and sadness all at once.
"That should've been me," she thought bitterly. "I've known him longer. I've stood by him when no one else did. She doesn't understand him like I do."
Her mind raced with possibilities. She could confront him, remind him of their bond, and make him see that she was the one meant to be by his side. But would that even matter now?
As she watched Grace lean in to whisper something into Adrian's ear, his face lighting up with laughter, Sarah's jealousy boiled over.
Determined not to be forgotten or dismissed, Sarah resolved to take action. She couldn't stand idly by while Grace "stole" what she believed was rightfully hers.
"If Grace could come out of nowhere and win his heart, so can I," she thought. "This isn't over—not yet."
With that, Sarah quietly slipped away from the celebration, her mind already plotting her next move.
While Adrian and Grace reveled in their newfound peace, a storm was brewing—one they never saw coming, from someone they never suspected. Sarah was determined to remind Adrian of their shared history and make him question whether his future truly lay with Grace.
Sarah's obsession with Adrian grew stronger with each passing day, and she began plotting ways to insert herself more deeply into his life. She believed that if she could spend enough time with him, he might realize that they were meant to be together all along. To achieve this, she strategically applied for a position at Giga Tech, knowing full well that Adrian valued loyalty and familiarity in his team.
Using her connections and charm, Sarah secured a role in the company's marketing department. Her new position allowed her to be close to Adrian without raising suspicion, and she quickly began staging opportunities to meet with him under the guise of work.
One afternoon, Sarah knocked on Adrian's office door, holding a stack of files.
"Come in," Adrian called, his voice warm but distracted. He looked up from his laptop and smiled briefly. "Sarah! What brings you here?"
She stepped inside, her heart fluttering. "I wanted to personally deliver these campaign proposals. I thought you'd appreciate a familiar face explaining the ideas."
Adrian chuckled and gestured for her to sit. "You didn't have to, but I appreciate the effort. It's been a while since we worked on anything together."
Sarah took a seat, hiding her excitement behind a professional demeanor. "Well, I just wanted to contribute. I've always admired your vision, Adrian, and I feel lucky to be part of Giga Tech now."
As they discussed the proposals, Sarah made sure to subtly weave in personal anecdotes about their childhood, rekindling old memories that made Adrian laugh. She relished every moment, convinced that she was slowly winning him over.
Sarah's persistence didn't stop there. She began lingering after meetings, volunteering for extra projects, and organizing team events where she could interact with Adrian more often.
One evening, after a particularly late brainstorming session, she noticed Adrian sitting alone in the office lounge, staring at his phone.
"Everything okay?" she asked, sitting down beside him.
He sighed and put the phone down. "Yeah, just missing Grace. She's been busy with her own commitments lately, and we haven't had as much time together as I'd like."
Sarah masked her irritation with a sympathetic smile. "Relationships can be tough, especially when both people are so driven. But sometimes, it's about finding balance, right?"
Adrian nodded, appreciating her insight. "You're right. Thanks, Sarah. It's nice to have someone to talk to who understands."
Encouraged by Adrian's openness, Sarah began pushing the boundaries of their interactions. She started bringing him coffee in the mornings, leaving thoughtful notes on his desk, and even coordinating surprise team celebrations in his honor.
Despite her efforts, Adrian remained oblivious to her intentions, seeing her actions as nothing more than friendly gestures.
But Grace wasn't so blind. She noticed Sarah's growing presence in Adrian's life and began to suspect that her motives were less than innocent. One evening, after overhearing Sarah casually mention how close she and Adrian used to be, Grace decided it was time to confront her.
Grace cornered Sarah in the company lobby after hours. "Can I have a word with you?"
Sarah turned, feigning innocence. "Of course, Grace. What's on your mind?"
"I'll get straight to the point," Grace said, her voice firm. "I see what you're doing, and I won't let you come between Adrian and me."
Sarah's expression hardened for a brief moment before she forced a smile. "I don't know what you're talking about. Adrian and I are just old friends. I'd never do anything to hurt him."
Grace stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "I'm not blind, Sarah. Stay professional, or I'll make sure Adrian sees the truth."
Sarah watched as Grace walked away, her anger simmering beneath the surface. You think you've won, Grace? she thought. This isn't over. Adrian belongs with me