I went to Adrian's temporary apartment three afternoons later,not to see him,but to return a file.It was for the port warehouse project he had been handling,and without it,his report the next week would be a mess.

I no longer loved him,but I was not interested in petty revenge.

His apartment was above a coffee shop and a dry cleaner.The elevator opened on the nineteenth floor,and laughter drifted down the hallway.His door was not fully closed.I lifted my hand to knock,but Claire's voice came from inside.

"It is my fault.I should not have reached for the bouquet.Now the company chat keeps joking that I look more like Adrian's fiancee.I do not even know how to explain."Her voice was soft,wounded in just the right amount.

A man laughed."Claire,do you want him to explain,or do you want him to say there is nothing to explain?"

The room filled with teasing.Claire said sweetly,"Stop it.Adrian has someone in his heart."

Adrian's voice followed,indulgent as always."Enough.Do not tease her."

Someone asked,"What about Elena?I heard she really is preparing a wedding.Are you not afraid she will leave?"

After a brief silence,Adrian laughed softly."She will not."

A friend tried again."Do not be so sure.A Moretti woman can walk before you blink.And giving the bouquet to Claire in public was too much."

"I know,"Adrian said."But I am not refusing to marry her.It is just not the right time.I will marry her sooner or later.That never changed.I only need to secure my own position first,so people cannot say I climbed by grabbing her skirt."

Another man sighed."And Claire?Do not get mad,but her timing is always perfect.You are about to get engaged,she has a crisis.You are about to meet the Moretti elders,she gets sick.You really do not see it?"

Claire's voice trembled at once."I did not.I am just scared of losing Adrian.In New York,he is all I have."

Adrian said,"Enough.Do not make her out to be a villain.Elena grew up spoiled.Her temper is bigger than most.Let her cool off.She needs to learn that not everything can be forced with the Moretti name."

Someone muttered,"But what if she really goes?"

Adrian smiled."Goes where?She has loved me for eight years.We bought a home.We kept a nursery.Every time she talks tough,she comes back.She just wants me to coax her."

The hallway light clicked off.

In the darkness,I looked down at the file and almost laughed.

So my eight years were not love to him,not trust,not forgiveness.They were leverage.Proof that I would never leave.

I did not knock.I placed the file by the door,pushed it under the crack with my shoe,and left.

When the elevator doors closed,I texted Nico.

[Proceed with the wedding.]

His reply came quickly.

[The motorcade is ready,little princess.]

I smiled,and for once,it was real.