"You still remember."
His words hung in the air — gentle, nostalgic, far too intimate for a crowded room.
Seraphina's pulse stumbled.
Her lips parted, but no sound came.
For years, she had buried the boy named Adrian — sealed him behind boardrooms, success, and sleepless nights.
And now he stood before her, looking like everything she once wanted and everything she could no longer trust.
Her fingers tightened around her clutch.
"You've changed," she managed, her tone smooth but her heart unsteady.
"So have you," he said softly, studying her like he was relearning the shape of her soul.
For a moment, something warm flickered in his eyes — guilt, maybe. Or longing.
But she didn't care to look closer.
Because while he had chosen distance, she had chosen survival.
The music swelled, cameras flashed.
Seraphina turned away first, hiding the storm beneath her flawless calm.
He left.
When I needed someone the most, he left.
Adrian watched her walk away, her back straight, her head high — the same grace she'd had as a girl, only sharpened into armor.
He wanted to call her name, explain, apologize.
But what could he say? That he'd stayed away because he was afraid of losing everything he'd built?
That while she mourned, he was chasing the future his father demanded?
No.
She wouldn't want his reasons — not now.
And yet, looking at her, he realized he would burn his empire to ashes if it meant seeing her smile again.
🌙 The Next Morning
The sun poured through the glass walls of Noir Industries' headquarters, glinting off the city skyline.
Seraphina sat at the head of the meeting table, perfectly composed.
Today's agenda: finalize a merger proposal — with Kael Corporation.
Her assistant's voice broke through her thoughts.
"Ma'am, the representative from Kael Corp has arrived."
Seraphina didn't look up. "Send them in."
When she finally raised her gaze, her breath caught.
Of course.
Adrian Kael.
In daylight, he looked even more dangerous — crisp white shirt, dark tie, eyes steady and unreadable.
The rival who could take everything she fought to protect.
And the boy who once promised never to let her cry.
He smiled faintly as he took his seat across from her.
"Looks like we're partners again."
She met his gaze coolly.
"Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Kael. I don't mix business with nostalgia."
But the flicker in her eyes betrayed her — and he saw it.
Every word between them carried a history they couldn't erase.
And as the meeting began, both of them knew:
this was more than business.
This was war.
The kind where love was the most dangerous weapon.