Chapter Two
Elena walked away with Lucas, her heels striking the floor with a rhythm that felt far too steady for the storm in her chest. She told herself this was right—that Adrian would be better off without her, that she was better off without him. Yet when he signed without hesitation, without even taking the envelope, something inside her twisted.
She had expected anger, his pleading. Just anything to show he doesn’t want to leave.
But he had simply let go.
That quiet acceptance followed her long after she stepped out of the diner. She pressed her lips together, convincing herself that her world no longer had space for him. And still… The faint sting of loss clung to her like smoke.
Meanwhile, Adrian stayed behind, staring at the empty doorway where Elena had stood. For a long moment, he couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. Just silence, and a ring digging into his palm.
“Compensation…” he muttered bitterly.
If nothing else, today had taught him the weight of money. It could build empires. It could end marriages.
His fingers brushed against the black card in his pocket. Isabella’s voice came back to him. Check it yourself. Password’s your birthday.
Absurd. And yet—after being thrown away so cleanly, absurdity was easier to face than despair.
Adrian left the diner, boarded a cab and made his way to the bank.
The national bank towered in front of him, its glass façade gleaming under the daylight. Polished floors, marble columns, doormen in pressed uniforms—every detail screamed status, wealth, and power. Adrian felt small stepping up those stairs, a dishwasher among titans, but he forced his legs forward.
He didn’t make it past the entrance.
“Adrian Cole?” The sharp, familiar voice cut through the marble air.
Adrian turned and found himself staring at Elena’s mother, Margaret, and her younger sister, Sophia. Their expressions lit up with cruel satisfaction the moment they saw him.
“Well, well,” Margaret sneered, arms folding. “Adrian Cole. I heard my daughter finally came to her senses. So, you’ve been tossed aside at last.”
Sophia smirked, tilting her head with mock sympathy. “Took her long enough. Honestly, Adrian, did you really think someone like you deserved her? Don’t waste time here—just pack your things and get out of her house. If you don’t, we’ll gladly toss your belongings into the street ourselves. You’re nothing but a leech feeding on my sister’s money”
Adrian’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer. He was too tired for their hatred..
Then Margaret’s eyes caught something. The ring glinted faintly on his finger.
Her face darkened. “Where did you get that, Adrian?” she snapped, stepping closer. “That’s not yours. Did you steal it? Or was it my daughter’s? Either way, you have no right to take anything from us!”
She lunged, clawing for his hand.
Adrian pulled back, his voice sharp for the first time. “Don’t touch me.”
But in her anger, Margaret lost her footing. A cry tore from her lips as she slipped against the polished floor and collapsed hard.
“Mother!” Sophia shrieked, rushing to her side. Then, almost instantly, her glare turned on Adrian. “How dare you lay a hand on her!”
“I didn’t—”
“Security!” Sophia screamed. “This man—Adrian Cole—attacked my mother! Arrest him!”
Two guards hurried over. Adrian exhaled slowly, forcing down the fire rising in his chest. “I didn’t touch her. I’m here to conduct business.”
The guards exchanged uncertain looks. But Margaret, clutching her wrist dramatically, hissed, “Business? You? Don’t make me laugh, Adrian. You’re a nobody. You don’t belong in a place like this.”
Sophia smirked, her tone dripping with scorn. “Do you even know where you’re standing? This is the most prestigious bank in the country. To qualify for a bronze card, you need at least a million in deposits. Then there’s platinum, diamond, and finally—the Supreme Black Card. That’s what real status looks like.” She lifted her chin proudly. “Lucas helped us secure a bronze card here. That’s the kind of circle we belong to.”
The guards straightened at the mention of the Supreme Black Card, their posture shifting ever so slightly. Respect—maybe even awe—flashed in their eyes.
Adrian sneered, not caring about what card they had at all.
He didn’t want to waste any more time with them, reached into his pocket and pulled out the black card Isabella had given him earlier, planning to get into the bank directly.
However, Margaret and Sophia froze immediately as they saw the card in his hand.
Black, sleek. The embossed emblem glowed faintly under the lobby lights.
“That—” Sophia stammered, her voice trembling. “That’s… the Supreme Black Card…”
Even the guards stiffened, their earlier suspicion replaced with stunned deference.
Adrian let the card rest between his fingers, his voice steady but cold. “You said I didn’t belong here. Let the bank decide.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
