Chapter 23
Tiffany
I step into the Millhouse Gallery, the soft hum of conversation and the clink of wine glasses filling the air. It’s the opening night of Lucas’s new exhibit, and the gallery is alive with energy. The walls are adorned with bold, abstract pieces that seem to pulse with life, each brushstroke telling a story of its own.
I scan the room, searching for Olivia, but my sister is nowhere to be found. Instead, my gaze lands on Cassandra, who stands near a striking canvas of swirling blues and gold. She’s deep in conversation with Alexander Hawthorne, their heads bent close together. Something about the intensity of their exchange makes me pause, but before I can approach them, a familiar voice calls my name.
“Tiffany.”
I turn to see Lucas approaching. He’s dressed in a grey suit that fits him perfectly, the crisp lines accentuating his lean frame. His smile is polite, but strained.
“Lucas,” I say, returning his smile. “The exhibit is incredible. You’ve outdone yourself.”
He inclines his head. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
“Of course, I came. I love your work.” I glance around the room again, the vibrant colors and textures drawing me in. “You’ve always had a way of capturing the intangible. It’s... breathtaking.”
“That means a lot, coming from you.” He hesitates, then adds, “I wasn’t sure where we stood after... everything.”
“I think we’re both trying to figure that out. But I didn’t want to miss this. You’ve worked so hard for this moment, and I’m proud of you.”
Lucas’s expression softens. “I’m glad you’re here, Tiffany. It means a lot.” He turns to look at the line of people waiting to congratulate him. “I have to go mingle with some other guests, but it’s been nice catching up with you. I’m glad that you seem happy, despite everything.”
As Lucas moves away to greet a group of admirers, I make my way towards Cassandra, now alone at the edge of the room. Her ivory dress is as striking as ever, and her auburn hair catches the light in a way that makes her seem almost ethereal. She notices me approaching and offers a warm smile.
“Tiffany, darling,” she says. “I was hoping I’d see you here tonight.”
“Cassandra, the gallery looks incredible. Olivia must be thrilled with the turnout.”
“She is,” Cassandra says, her gaze drifting over the crowd. “Though it’s more due to all the publicity your name has brought to the event. Everyone wants a piece of the Carter legacy these days.”
“At this point, we need someone to do something scandalous to take the spotlight off us for a while.”
“When people find out about you and Adrien Leroy, even more of a storm will follow. You’re not exactly a low-profile couple.”
“Well, let’s hope that particular storm holds off for a while longer. We’ve had enough drama to last a lifetime.”
A mischievous glint appears in Cassandra’s eyes. “Oh, Tiffany, you know as well as I do that drama is just part of the package when it comes to our world. But tell me, how are things with Adrien? I couldn’t help but notice your rather impressive security detail when you arrived. Things must be getting serious with him.”
A blush creeps up my neck. “He’s just protective.”
“Is he? When are you planning to introduce me to him?”
Adrien’s face flashes in my mind, quickly replaced by the gnawing worry that’s haunted me for the past ten days.
Has something happened to him? Is he in danger?
His silence is driving me mad, and I keep imagining increasingly dire scenarios: Adrien lying injured and alone somewhere, unable to reach out to me.
I give her a weak smile. “I promise I’ll introduce Adrien to everyone soon, but when I do, swear not to spill all my secrets to him right away. A girl’s got to maintain some mystery, after all.”
She laughs. “Your secrets are safe with me, darling. Though I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to scare Adrien off even if I tried.”
I smile, grateful for her easy acceptance of my deflection. We drift into lighter topics, discussing the events at the gallery and Cassandra’s efforts to plan Olivia’s wedding. As she describes the challenges of finding the perfect venue, I relax, momentarily distracted from my worries about Adrien.
“Do you know how it is to find a venue that meets Alexander father’s standards?” Cassandra laments. “He will not rest until every detail is perfect, but honestly, it’s starting to drive Olivia crazy. I think she’s about ready to elope just to escape the madness.”
I chuckle at the image of Olivia and Alexander running off to get married in secret. “I wouldn’t put it past them. Love makes people do crazy things.”
As we quiet down, I check the time on my watch, startled by how quickly it has passed. A familiar tug pulls at my heart, beckoning me back to Adrien’s penthouse. Despite the radio silence, it’s become my sanctuary, the place where I feel closest to him.
“I hate to leave so soon,” I tell Cassandra as I touch her arm, “but I should head out. Could you give Olivia my congratulations and let her know what a wonderful event this was?”
Cassandra nods with a knowing twinkle in her eye. “Of course, Tiff. She’ll be thrilled that you came. Have a nice evening with Adrien, and don’t wait too long to introduce him to everyone. We’re all dying to meet him.”
“Thank you, Cassandra.” I give her a quick hug before making my way toward the exit, where my bodyguards are waiting.
The night air is cool against my skin as we step outside, the city lights twinkling in the distance. I climb into the waiting car, my mind still swirling with thoughts of Adrien and the unanswered questions that plague me.
I thought I would be able to handle this. I thought I could stay at home calm and rational while Adrien was off doing whatever he needed to do. Yet, each day it becomes harder. The uncertainty is overwhelming.
If something happened to him, surely someone would inform me, right? Or would I be left in the dark, anxiously awaiting a brief message, while Adrien fights death somewhere far away?
I turn to the window, watching the city pass by in a blur of lights and shadows.
As we pull up to the building, I brace myself for the emptiness that always greets me in Adrien’s absence. The elevator ride up to his penthouse seems longer tonight, each floor passing by with excruciating slowness. The elevator doors glide open, revealing the familiar living room of Adrien’s luxurious penthouse. I turn to my security team and give them a reassuring smile.
“I’ll be fine from here.” I muster a smile. “Have a good night, gentlemen.”
As the elevator doors slide shut, I let out a deep breath, finally alone.
I make my way through the elegant living room, the soft glow of the city lights filtering through the windows. I drop my clutch on a nearby table, and I find myself drawn to the balcony, stepping out into the cool night air.
I’ll never get tired of this view.
The city sprawls out before me, a sea of shimmering lights and endless possibilities. The hum of life below seems distant, almost surreal. I lean against the railing, the cool metal grounding me. The breeze carries with it the faint scent of rain, and I close my eyes, letting it wash over me.
A sound breaks through the stillness—a faint creak from inside the penthouse. Suddenly, the living room lights flicker, and I turn to see Adrien standing in the center of the room.
My breath catches in my throat.
At first, I think I must be imagining things. Adrien sits perfectly still, his gaze fixed on me. His normally immaculate appearance is disheveled, his tie askew, and he looks tired, with dark circles under his eyes, but his smile... God, that smile. It lights up his entire face, chasing away the shadows of the past ten terribly long days.
“Tiffany,” he says.
I stand frozen, a whirlwind of emotions coursing through me. Relief, joy, anger—they all battle for dominance.
“Adrien,” I breathe out his name, the knot of worry in my chest unraveling at the sight of him. “You’re back.”