Adrian Langford wasn't just the man she loved. He was the only son of Maxwell Langford, chairman of the Langford Group. Though his family's reach didn't match the might of Robertsons Holdings, Adrian had earned his position as CEO by twenty-four, commanding respect with ruthless, calculated charm.
Zara had fallen for him long before they became a couple. He was one of her brother's best friends back then — cool, aloof, endlessly fascinating. When she was fifteen, she'd followed her brother like a shadow, just to catch a glimpse of Adrian.
Only her family and closest friends truly knew how much she liked Adrian. To others, it was just a silly crush that lasted way too long. But her feelings grew stronger over time, becoming something more serious. Even those closest to her treated it like a joke, hiding their concern behind polite smiles and quiet warnings. They all saw how much she wanted him, how loyal she was, and how hopeful she remained. But no one thought it would ever actually lead to anything real.
At nineteen, when Adrian finally looked at her the way she'd always dreamed, she thought it meant something real. Something lasting.
***
Zara was still in college, pursuing dual degrees in Business Administration and Law at one of the country's most prestigious universities. She kept her academic life discreet, balancing the rigorous demands of both programs with remarkable focus and determination. But that morning, she hadn't gone to class. Instead, she had called Adrian several times. No answer. She sent him a dozen messages. Still nothing.
Determined and frustrated, Zara concealed the red mark on her face, slipped past her family's security detail, and headed straight to the Langford Group building — with one goal: to confront Adrian.
Despite his reputation for discipline and punctuality, the receptionist told her he hadn't shown up today and no meetings were scheduled under his name. His assistant, when Zara called pretending to be from another firm, claimed he was out of town on business.
Zara knew it was a lie. He was avoiding her.
Their relationship had always existed in the shadows. Despite the painful history between their families, Zara and Adrian had been secretly seeing each other for over a year. The secrecy wasn't her choice. From the start, Adrian had laid down conditions — no public appearances, no photos, no one could know. He said it was for her protection, that if their fathers found out, the consequences would be uncontrollable.
Zara had agreed, even when it hurt. Even when she wanted more.
Now, in the silence of his absence, questions clawed at her. Why isn't he answering me? Doesn't he care? Her heart ached with every unanswered message. Fear crept in — quiet and cold. She knew something had changed between them recently. He'd been distant, distracted. But she'd convinced herself it was just work. Just stress.
Zara sat motionless in the driver's seat of her sleek, pearl-white BMW 740i, parked discreetly in the corner of the Langford building's lot. The city buzzed beyond her windshield — people rushing to work, engines revving, heels clicking on concrete. But inside the car, it was quiet. Still.
Her hands rested on the leather steering wheel—cold despite the warm air outside. She'd been there nearly an hour, watching employees come and go, hoping for even a glimpse of Adrian. But nothing. No sign of him. Not even his car.
She tried calling again, but it went straight to voicemail. Her messages remained unread.
Her fingers trembled as she set her phone on the passenger seat. Her stomach churned — nerves, fear, and something deeper she refused to name. She closed her eyes, drew a deep breath, but it didn't calm her.
She remembered the last time they spoke — his eyes searching hers with guilt she hadn't understood. The way he held her like he couldn't get close enough, kissed her like he was already saying goodbye.
Her voice cracked in the silence. "You promised, Adrian."
She had trusted him. Despite the war between their families, despite the tragedy, despite everything, she had believed in him.
Her phone buzzed and hope surged — but it was only a reminder for her clinic appointment in two hours.
Zara stared at the screen, numb. She'd driven all this way for nothing. Still no Adrian. Still no answers.
Outside, life moved on. Inside the car, everything was still.
Then her phone rang.
She didn't recognize the number but answered anyway.
"Hello?"
"Zara? It's me, Simone."
Her breath caught. Simone — her cousin, childhood best friend, fiercest defender. The only one who knew about her relationship with Adrian.
As soon as she heard Simone's voice, Zara broke. The tears she'd held back surged forward.
"I can't do this, Simone," she whispered, voice shaking. "I don't know what's happening. I feel like I'm losing everything, and I don't even understand why."
"Zara, what's going on? Where are you?" Simone's voice was full of concern.
Zara wiped tears from her face, trying to steady herself. "I'm at the Langford building. But Adrian hasn't shown up. No one even knows where he is."
There was a pause. Then Simone said softly, "I didn't want to tell you like this, but… I saw something online. A photo."
Zara froze. "What photo?"
"He was at lunch today. With Tanya Hawthorne. At Maison du Verre."
A sharp, icy breath left Zara's lungs — as if the world had just tilted beneath her.