Chapter 20 The invitation to dinner with the Grantham family came six months into her tenure at Harmonex.[] "It's business," Tristan explained as they dressed for the evening. "Jayden Grantham is interested in partnering with us on the Polaris Program. This could be huge, Adeline."[] She remembered Evelyn from that party years ago, though she hadn't seen her since. "Will his sister be there?"[] "Probably. Why?" ]] "Just curious." The Grantham estate was old money incarnate-generations of wealth displayed with understated elegance. But it was Evelyn who commanded attention the moment they arrived.[] She'd grown into her beauty, polished and confident in the way that came from never doubting your place in the world. But when she looked at Tristan, Adeline caught something else-hunger.[] "Tristan Kelce," Evelyn smiled, taking his hand and holding it just a moment too long. "I've heard so much about your work."[] "All good things, I hope."]] "Impressive things. Revolutionary things." Her eyes sparkled with genuine admiration, or a very good imitation of it.[] Throughout dinner, Adeline watched as Evelyn hung on Tristan's every word, asked thoughtful questions about his projects, and demonstrated an understanding of business that she'd never shown during their brief previous encounter.]] But it was the way Tristan responded that made Adeline's stomach twist. He became more animated, more charming, more like the man she'd fallen in love with in London. The man who'd been absent from their marriage for months.[] "Evelyn's starting her own consulting firm," Jayden mentioned casually. "Perhaps you two could collaborate on something."] "I'd love that," Evelyn said, her gaze fixed on Tristan. "I feel like we speak the same language."[] After dinner, as they mingled in the drawing room, Adeline found herself alone with their hostess.] "Your husband is fascinating," Evelyn said, her tone carefully neutral. "So driven. So passionate about his work."[] "Yes, he is."] "It must be wonderful to be married to someone like that. Though I imagine it's also... challenging. Men like Tristan need intellectual equals. Partners who can keep up with their ambitions."] The words were polite enough, but the implication was clear: Do you really think you're enough for him?] "Adeline's brilliant in her own right," Tristan appeared beside them, wrapping an arm around her waist. "She's building something impressive at Harmonex." ] "Oh, you work?" Evelyn's surprise seemed genuine. " How wonderful that Tristan supports your little career."[] Delete Block Move On Your Little Cubeber Huma Chapter 20 Little career. The words hit like a physical blow.[] "It's not little-" Adeline began.]] "Of course it isn't," Tristan interrupted smoothly. "Adeline's being modest. She's one of their top performers."[] But the damage was done. In Evelyn's eyes, in Tristan's quick intervention, in the assumption that her work was secondary to his. On the drive home, Tristan was unusually quiet.[] "The Granthams seem nice," Adeline said finally.[] "Jayden's smart. Old money but not stuck in the past. This partnership could open doors we've only dreamed of."] "And Evelyn?"] "What about her?"]] "She seems... interested in your work."[] Tristan glanced at her, then back at the road. "She's young and enthusiastic. It's refreshing to meet someone who understands what I'm trying to build."] Understands what I'm trying to build. When had Adeline stopped understanding? When had she become someone he had to explain himself to instead of someone he shared his dreams with?] That night, she lay awake wondering when exactly she'd stopped being his partner and started being his wife-as if the two were mutually exclusive. And somewhere in the distance, she could swear she heard the faint echo of her own voice from years ago: "I'm moving forward." But which direction was forward now?] (0)