Chapter 18: Shadows of Care
Adrian POV
Adrian had always prided himself on being observant, a trait honed by years of navigating high-stakes deals and personal betrayals. But lately, Elena’s subtle changes had unsettled him.
At first, he dismissed the signs as remnants of the gala incident. Her fainting spell, the pallor of her complexion, and her insistence that she was just tired—it all seemed explainable. But as the weeks went by, her behavior became harder to ignore.
She was eating differently, her once insatiable love for wine now replaced with herbal teas. She excused herself during meetings more often, sometimes returning with a faint sheen of sweat on her brow. And then there were the sleepless nights.
Adrian often woke to find her pacing the length of their bedroom, her silho
