CHAPTER 013 ADRIAN'S POV The morning sun filtered through the curtains , casting a soft glow over the bedroom . The sheets were tangled from the night before , but I barely acknowledged them . Lying on my back , I stared at the ceiling , my thoughts clouded with disappointment . Beside me , Dora slept soundly , her breathing steady and undisturbed . I turned my head slightly , glancing at her . Her bare shoulders peeked out from beneath the silk sheets , dark hair sprawled across the pillows in soft waves . Last night had been nothing like I expected . Whad imagined passion - something electrifying , something that would make me forget everything else . Instead , the moment had felt ... empty . No excitement . No satisfaction . Exhaling sharply , I rubbed my temple and carefully slipped out of bed . Moving quietly so as not to wake her , I walked over to the small bar cart across the room . Without hesitation , I poured myself a glass of whiskey . The amber liquid burned as I downed it in one go . Why the hell was this thought still lingering in my mind ? I set the glass down with a quiet clink and leaned against the table , gripping its edge tightly . Even though I hated to admit it , every time I had been with Olivia whether drunk or not it had been ... different . It wasn't just about sex . There was something else , something I hadn't realized was missing until now . Dora had been a fantasy for so long . The woman who lingered on the edges of my thoughts , the one I believed could replace Olivia in every way . But last night proved otherwise . Could it be that Olivia was better in bed than Dora? Or was there more to it that I haven ' t realized yet ? My gaze flickered back to the bed where Dora was still asleep , oblivious to my thoughts . The whiskey did little to clear my head , so I reached for my phone instead . Scrolling through my contacts , my finger hovered over a familiar name Dan . I pressed the dial and waited . After a few rings , a deep voice answered . " A good day to you , sir . " " Dan , " I said , my tone even . " How Successfully unlocked! your end ? " " Everything is proceeding as planned , " he replied . " We're in position at the moment . " " Good . Keep up the work and make sure no one suspects anything . " 1/3 CHAPTER 013 " We'll be careful , sir , " Dan assured me . I ended the call without another word . My expression remained unreadable as I finished my drink and walked toward the study . I had always been a man of control , ensuring that every aspect of my life was calculated , planned , and executed flawlessly . Olivia thought she had broken free . She was mistaken . Inside my study - my private space , one even Olivia never had access to - I pulled open a drawer and retrieved a thick file . There were some things I needed to handle personally . *** OLIVIA'S POV The warm water did little to ease the tension in my shoulders as I stepped out of the shower . Wrapping myself in a towel , I walked into a small apartment I had gotten myself , I glanced around at the space I now called home . 1 It was nothing like what I was used to . The walls were peeling , the furniture outdated , and there wasn't even a proper television set . Anyone who knew my family's wealth would never believe I was living in a place like this . But I managed . Hopefully , it was just temporary. I needed space from Adrian , from my parents , from the suffocating expectations that had followed me for so long . Julian had offered to get me a nice apartment and had even insisted but I refused . Despite him being a very good friend to me I owe him a lot of favors and didn't want to include this to the list . As I pulled on an oversized t - shirt and padded barefoot into the kitchen , I fried some eggs and made a cup of coffee , my thoughts running in circles . I needed to do something . If I was going to take control of my life , I needed money . I couldn't rely on my family's fortune , and I sure as hell wasn't going to touch anything that belonged to Adrian . The thought of Dora sent a bitter taste to the back of my throat . That woman had played a dangerous game , making me lose my unborn child - one I hadn't known existed until his death . But now ? Now I was ... Taking a bite of my food , I absently glanced out the window only to freeze . That black sedan was still there . My grip on the fork tightened . 2/3 CHAPTER 013 I had noticed the vehicle the day I moved in . At first , I brushed it off as a coincidence , but every time I looked outside , it was there . Parked just across the street like it belonged there . At first , I convinced myself I was being paranoid . Maybe I was imagining things . But this ? This was too much to ignore . My heart pounded as I took a step back from the window . I needed to confirm if I was truly being followed . Grabbing my phone , I quickly opened a ride - hailing app and booked an Uber . If this car was tailing me , it would follow when I left . Five minutes later , a notification popped up my ride had arrived . I grabbed my purse , took one last look outside , and walked to the door . The moment I stepped out of the building , I forced myself to act naturally . I didn't glance at the sedan , didn't hesitate . I simply walked to the waiting Uber and got inside . The driver , an older man with gray andhair , greeted me with a nod . " Morning . Where to ? " I gave him a random café address across town . As the car pulled away , my pulse pounded in my ears . I didn't look back immediately . I waited , counting the seconds in my head before finally stealing a glance at the side mirror . My stomach twisted . The black sedan had pulled onto the road . They were following me . I turned my gaze forward , gripping my purse tighter . Who the hell was watching me ? 口 Subscribed 1 Likes 3/3