Adrian openly defends Maya, raising suspicion.
The tension didn't disappear after the night they agreed to forget.
It sharpened.
At Blackwood International, everything looked the same—meetings, deadlines, polished smiles. But something underneath had shifted, and everyone could feel it.
Especially when Adrian Cole broke his own rules.
The marketing review meeting was routine.
Until it wasn't.
"The campaign underperformed," Director Whitman said, scrolling through the data. "And since Mrs. Cole signed off on the outreach strategy, perhaps she can explain the loss."
The room stilled.
All eyes turned to Maya.
She straightened in her chair, prepared to speak—but Adrian spoke first.
"The loss was due to supplier delays," he said coolly. "Not Maya's strategy."
Whitman raised a brow. "Are you certain?"
"Yes," Adrian replied. "I approved the final data myself."
That wasn't true.
Maya looked at him sharply.
He didn't look back.
"With respect," another executive added, "her position here already raises questions."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"Then let me be clear," he said, voice cutting through the room. "Maya earned her role. If anyone has an issue with her presence, they can bring it to me."
Silence fell like a blade.
Maya's heart pounded.
This wasn't professional distance.
This was protection.
After the meeting, whispers followed them down the hallway.
"Did you hear that?"
"He's never spoken like that before."
"Isn't this supposed to be a contract marriage?"
Maya stopped near the elevators. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did."
"No," she said quietly. "You didn't."
He turned to her, eyes sharp. "They were targeting you."
"I can handle myself."
"I know," he said. "That's not why I did it."
"Then why?" she asked.
He didn't answer.
Because the truth was dangerous.
Later that day, Maya overheard two assistants whispering near the coffee station.
"He shut Whitman down instantly."
"That wasn't CEO behavior. That was personal."
Maya walked past them without reacting—but the unease settled deep in her chest.
At lunch, Adrian appeared at her desk.
"You're coming with me."
"To where?"
"Lunch."
She frowned. "You never eat lunch."
"I do today."
People watched.
Too many people.
As they walked out together, Maya felt the weight of attention pressing in.
"This is exactly how rumors start," she muttered.
"Let them," Adrian replied.
She stopped. "Adrian."
He turned. "What?"
"You're acting like you're… claiming me."
His gaze softened—just slightly. "I'm defending you."
"There's a difference."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Not to me."
Her breath caught.
That evening, Victor Hale paid a visit.
He leaned casually against Adrian's desk, eyes sharp with amusement.
"You've gotten… soft."
Adrian didn't look up. "Careful."
"You defended her today," Victor continued. "Not the strategy. Her."
Adrian's pen stilled.
Victor smiled. "Interesting."
"She's my wife," Adrian said flatly.
Victor laughed. "On paper."
Adrian stood slowly. "Get out."
Victor's smile widened. "You're in trouble, Adrian. Because the moment you started caring… you lost."
Maya found Adrian on the balcony that night, staring at the city like it had betrayed him.
"You didn't deny it," she said softly.
"Deny what?"
"That you care."
He didn't turn. "I don't."
She stepped beside him. "Then stop protecting me like you do."
His voice dropped. "I can't."
The honesty startled them both.
Maya looked at him, heart racing.
Across the city, Victor Hale smiled—already planning his next move.
Because now, the truth was visible.
The CEO wasn't just protecting his image anymore.
He was protecting his heart.
Next: Chapter 18 - Family Visit
Just as the office starts questioning them, Maya faces a challenge she never prepared Adrian for—her family.
Tonight | 11:30 PM – 12:30 AM