The press conference room of Carter Enterprises was packed.
Reporters, camera flashes, and murmurs filled the space. Everyone was curious—why was the nation's coldest CEO making a sudden public appearance with the city's top surgeon?
Sophia Carter stood at the podium in a snow-white designer suit, calm and composed.
Adrian stood beside her, tall, elegant, and equally unreadable.
She took a breath and spoke into the mic.
"Good morning. I would like to officially announce something personal, and long overdue."
Adrian looked at her—not the woman he once loved, but the woman he barely recognized anymore.
Sophia continued, "Dr. Adrian and I… have decided to reunite in marriage."
The room erupted in gasps.
Marriage?
Reunite?
Cameras flashed. Reporters raised their hands.
Adrian placed a hand over Sophia's, smiling for the cameras.
"Yes," he added smoothly, "We've been apart for too long. But some bonds… can't be broken."
The crowd swooned. They looked like the dream couple. Powerful. Beautiful. In love.
But beneath the surface?
Sophia's jaw was tight beneath her fake smile.
Adrian leaned in and whispered behind the mask of charm, "How long do we have to keep up this fairytale?"
She whispered back, "Until we both get what we want."
And what they wanted… was not the same.