Chapter 13

Anika went still for a fraction of a second. Her gaze lingered on Adrian's face as he sat across from her, perfectly composed. The steadiness of the man, the way he spoke without a shred of hesitation—it nearly caught her off guard.

But only for a moment. She collected herself and let a thin smile settle on her lips, faint but unmistakably guarded.

"I have no intention of pursuing any kind of relationship going forward," she told him, her voice calm yet firm. "So let me be clear right now—I won't be interested in you."

She paused, meeting his eyes. "Now that you're doing fine, can we discuss the private matter I mentioned on the phone?"

Adrian exhaled quietly. His expression didn't change, as though the rejection hadn't touched him at all. "We're not talking about that here."

Anika frowned slightly. "Why not?"

Adrian rose from his chair, reaching for the suit jacket draped over its back. "Sometimes... even walls have ears."

His tone stayed casual, but the implication was clear. He glanced at Anika before continuing, "We'll go to my private restaurant instead."

Anika stared at him without blinking. Adrian added evenly, "Relax. I've had the place cleared out tonight. There won't be anyone else there."

A brief silence stretched between them. Anika weighed it for a few seconds, then stood.

"Fine."

Minutes later, they walked out of the hospital.

"My assistant already sent a new car over. We should take mine." He gestured toward the waiting vehicle.

A black sedan belonging to Adrian idled out front, the driver opening the door with a respectful nod as they approached.

The drive to the restaurant passed in silence. City lights streaked past the windows, bouncing off the glass in swift ribbons of color.

Anika gazed out at the passing streets, her mind crowded again by the old files she'd uncovered—the accident twenty-five years ago that had taken both her parents' lives.

Beside her, Adrian sat with that same composed expression. But beneath the calm, his thoughts moved far…