Two months changed everything.
At first, it was subtle.
A delayed reply.
A canceled dinner.
A phone call Adrian promised to return but never did.
Selina told herself he was busy. The rivalry between the Vale and Chase empires had intensified recently, and Adrian had suddenly become deeply involved in his company's expansion projects.
Still, something felt... different.
The warmth in his voice had cooled into politeness.
The lingering looks disappeared.
And worst of all—
she could feel him slipping away without understanding why.
Tonight, the Vale Grand Hotel hosted one of the largest charity galas of the season. Crystal chandeliers glowed above the ballroom while the city's elite filled the room in glittering gowns and tailored suits.
Selina stood near the back reviewing event schedules on her tablet, quietly fixing last-minute issues as always.
Across the room, laughter erupted.
Her eyes lifted instinctively.
Adrian.
But he wasn't looking at her.
He stood beside Elara.
Again.
Elara laughed at something he said, lightly touching his arm while photographers circled them eagerly. Together they looked perfect—powerful, elegant, untouchable.
And painfully beautiful.
Selina's stomach twisted.
Over the past few weeks, Adrian had somehow become increasingly involved in Elara's world. He attended meetings beside her, defended her ideas during investor discussions, even accompanied her to public events.
Everyone noticed.
The media especially loved it.
The Golden Vale Twin and the Chase Heir.
Business articles speculated about alliances between the two rival families. Social media called them a "power pair in the making."
Selina tried not to read the headlines anymore.
"Selina?"
She blinked.
Rowan appeared beside her holding two champagne glasses. His expression softened slightly as he followed her line of sight toward Adrian and Elara.
"They've been spending a lot of time together lately," he admitted carefully.
Selina forced a calm expression. "It makes sense. They're working on the merger proposal."
But the words hurt to say.
Because once upon a time, Adrian used to look for her in every room.
Now he barely looked at her at all.
As if sensing her gaze, Adrian finally glanced across the ballroom.
For one brief second, their eyes met.
Selina waited for something—
a smile, recognition, warmth.
Instead, his expression became unreadable.
Then Elara said something beside him, and Adrian turned back to her immediately.
Just like that.
Selina lowered her eyes before anyone could see the pain on her face.
Later that evening, the investors gathered near the stage for Elara's speech regarding the future partnership project. Damian stood proudly beside his daughter while cameras flashed endlessly.
"Elara Vale represents the future of this company," one investor praised loudly.
"And Chase International seems to agree," another joked, nodding toward Adrian.
The crowd laughed knowingly.
Selina felt suddenly suffocated.
She slipped quietly out of the ballroom and into the empty hallway beyond.
The silence hit instantly.
A sharp ache spread through her chest.
Had she imagined everything between them?
Every conversation.
Every promise.
Every look.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
Selina quickly wiped at her eyes before turning.
Adrian stood at the end of the hallway.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he walked toward her slowly.
"You left."
His voice was calm. Distant.
Selina laughed bitterly. "You noticed?"
Something flickered across his expression.
"That's not fair."
"No?" She finally looked at him directly, months of confusion breaking through at once. "Then tell me what happened, Adrian."
He stayed silent.
The silence hurt more than anger ever could.
"You said you saw me," she whispered. "You said I mattered."
"You do."
"Then why does it feel like I'm disappearing again?"
His jaw tightened.
For the first time since she'd met him, Adrian looked conflicted—almost trapped.
But instead of answering her question, he quietly said:
"Elara needs support right now."
Selina stared at him in disbelief.
"And what about me?"
The question hung painfully between them.
Adrian looked away first.
That was her answer.