We drove home in Adrian's car.

Milo was securely buckled into his car seat.


After a moment's hesitation, remembering Serena's visit, I reached for the back door.

My fingers had barely touched the handle when Adrian's dry voice cut through the air.

"Am I driving Miss Daisy?"


I dropped my hand and scrambled for an excuse.

"No, I just… thought the view might be better from back there."


Adrian shot me a look that clearly said he wasn't buying it.

Minutes into the drive, Milo was out cold.

We drove in complete silence, awkwardness filling every inch of the car.

"Adrian, why did you even marry me?"

The question burst out before I could stop myself.

He'd been so exceptional, with plenty of better options. Why choose me?

"What's the point of discussing that now?"

His eyes never left the road, as if we were discussing the weather.

He was right. What did it matter? We were headed for divorce court anyway.

At home, Adrian disappeared into his study. I didn't see him again until evening.

Clearly, he wanted to minimize our interactions.

After bathing Milo and tucking him in, I closed his door quietly—and found Adrian standing right behind me.

"Is he asleep?"

"Mm-hmm."

I nodded, words failing me.

"Well, it's been a long day. You should get some rest too. I'm heading to bed."

I started toward the guest room, but as I passed him, his hand shot out and caught my wrist.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I blinked in confusion.

"The guest room?"

His brows knitted together, his expression darkening.

"Mrs. Young, planning to live separately already? Last I checked, we're still married."

"No, it's just—the housekeeper mentioned that we…"

"You believe everything strangers tell you? Can't think for yourself?"

His question left me speechless.

Wasn't that precisely my problem?

With no memories, how could I possibly know what was normal for us?

But wait—did his words mean we normally shared a bed?

Confused but compliant, I grabbed my pillow from the guest room and returned to share the master bed with Adrian.

This would be my first night consciously sleeping beside Adrian. My nerves were so tight I could barely breathe.

Water ran in the bathroom. The thought of Adrian showering sent my heart racing and heat flooding my cheeks.

Get a grip!

Sleep would be impossible!

I was contemplating escape when the bathroom door swung open.

Adrian stepped out like a scene from a romance novel—shirtless, his perfect abs glistening with water droplets that traced the contours of his muscles.

I gulped audibly, my face burning hotter than the sun.

I dove under the covers, burying my flaming face in the blanket.

"Just a mirage. This isn't happening. Just a mirage…"

His low chuckle only intensified my embarrassment.

The mattress dipped as he slid in beside me.

Adrian was in bed with me.

"You'll suffocate if you sleep like that."

He yanked the covers away and, before I could protest, pulled me against his chest.

"Goodnight."

His voice rumbled above my head.

His heartbeat thundered in my ears, his body heat enveloping me.

I couldn't breathe. I froze completely, like a deer in headlights.

As his breathing steadied, I risked a glance up. Asleep, all coldness vanished from his face, replaced by peaceful gentleness.

Like a sleeping prince from a fairy tale—impossibly handsome.

"Can't sleep? Got something else in mind?"

I slammed my eyes shut and buried my face against him.

"I'm already asleep!"

Despite my racing thoughts, drowsiness crept over me. Cradled against his chest, lulled by his steady heartbeat, I drifted into sleep.

This certainly didn't feel like two people on the brink of divorce.