Adrian was still in his office when the last light of dusk spilled across the skyline, painting his floor-to-ceiling windows in soft amber. Papers were neatly stacked on the desk, one hand absently flipping through a contract—but his focus had long since dulled.
His phone buzzed.
It was a message from Emily.
Emily:
When you’re done with work, come find me.
He sat up a little straighter.
A moment later, another message popped up.
Emily:
When you step out of your company’s front doors…there’ll be a pumpkin carriage waiting to pick up the prince.
Adrian froze.
A slow beat of silence filled the room.
Pumpkin…carriage?
Something stirred in his chest. A wild, ridiculous, impossible suspicion.
He didn’t even wait to respond.
In one smooth motion, he sto
