Chapter 4

The launch event was set for one week later.

Cole Group required me to fly back to New York for it.

Professor Laurent placed the invitation on my desk.

"You can refuse."

I looked at the words "Special Consultant" on the card.

"I'll go."

He frowned.

"Emma, you don't need to endure this kind of humiliation."

I took the ring box from the drawer and slipped it into my bag.

"Some things need to be returned in person."

The day I flew back to New York, Adrian came to pick me up at the airport.

He wore a black overcoat, standing in the crowd, his features sharp and cold.

When he saw me, he reached for my luggage.

I stepped aside.

His hand hung in midair. His expression tightened.

"Still not done with the theatrics?"

I pulled my suitcase toward the exit.

He followed.

"The lead creative thing—you brought that on yourself. If you'd just given Lily a proper apology, I could've switched the name back."

"No need."

"Emma."

He caught my wrist. Not hard, but impossible to shake off.

"You didn't used to be like this."

I looked at him. "You didn't used to put another woman in my place."

Something flickered in Adrian's eyes, but he recovered quickly.

"Lily's just filling in temporarily. Her health isn't great. Her career's just getting started. I'm giving her a hand."

I nodded.

"You've always been so good at giving her a hand."

"How long are you going to keep dredging up the past?"

"Until I stop caring, I guess."

He released my wrist, as if my words had stung him.

After we got in the car, Lily turned around from the passenger seat.

"Emma, what a coincidence—I just happened to come pick you up too."

She was wearing Adrian's jacket.

The sleeves were too long, covering the backs of her hands.

Adrian reached over and fastened her seatbelt.

"She gets carsick. She sits up front."

I got into the back seat without a word.

Halfway there, Lily suddenly pressed her hand to her lower abdomen.

"Adrian, it hurts a little."

Adrian immediately pulled over.

"Where's your medicine?"

"In my bag."

He rummaged through her bag with the ease of someone who'd done it a thousand times.

Lily watched me through the rearview mirror, her voice soft.

"Emma, don't mind me. The surgeries left some lingering issues. Adrian's used to taking care of me by now."

I looked out the window.

Adrian's hand paused as he retrieved the pills.

"Lily."

She immediately went quiet, her eyes turning red.

"Sorry. I said the wrong thing again."

Adrian didn't scold her. He only murmured, "Drink some water."

Backstage at the launch event, everyone was scrambling.

I'd just finished changing when a staff member brought over a badge.

"Ms. Ward, here's your seat assignment."

I looked down.

Special Consultant. Second row, end seat.

Lily walked over. Her badge read Lead Designer.

She touched the nameplate on her chest.

"Emma, honestly, I didn't expect Adrian to trust me this much either."

She leaned in a little.

"But don't worry. I won't take what's yours."

I looked at her. "Haven't you taken enough?"

Her smile faded slightly. "That was his choice to give."