Clairessa’s POV
I arrived at Adrian’s restaurant, and a wave of nostalgia hit me as I took in the familiar surroundings. Memories of our time together overwhelmed me—late nights spent here, the ideas I had shared to help him grow the business, even the colors I chose for the walls. I had put so much into his dream, pausing mine because I believed we were building a future together. How wrong I was.
Lost in thought, I barely noticed a waitress approach. “Do you have a reservation?” she asked.
I nodded absentmindedly, my eyes scanning the tables for Adrian. Then I saw him, standing by the bar.
He wasn’t alone.
Nicole stood beside him, laughing, and they were deep in conversation.
My heart sank. Of course, he hadn’t changed. All those promises, all the begging for a second chance—it was
