Chapter 87: Adrian

For all my confidence and bravado, the night's whirlwind of events had taken a toll. A dinner with Seattle's elite, especially one that ended with an unexpected proposal, was enough to exhaust anyone. As we stepped into the muted calm of my penthouse, the city lights twinkled beyond the large glass panes, casting a soft glow that contrasted with the night's frenetic energy.

I busied myself with opening a bottle of wine — a vintage red, the kind that demanded to be savored slowly. As I poured the wine into our glasses, the rich aroma filling the room, Emily seemed equally eager to transition from the night's highs. She threw herself onto the plush leather couch with an unapologetic lack of grace, immediately reaching for her phone.