Chapter 4 

Adrian’s breathing had evened out beside me, deep in sleep. 

“Adrian,” I whispered to the darkness, “do you remember it’s my birthday today?” He’d once promised, as Rain, that I’d never spend another birthday alone. But I hadn’t let myself wallow. 

I’d bought myself a massive chocolate cake from that fancy French patisserie downtown – the one Rain used to walk miles to just to surprise me with their truffles. 

Morning light was streaming through the floor–to–ceiling windows when I woke to an empty bed and the sound of running water from the ensuite. 

Adrian emerged moments later, water droplets trailing down his tattooed chest, towel slung low on his hips. 

He started dressing with the casual confidence of a man used to being watched, pulling on his custom–fitted racing suit. 

I felt suddenly awkward, then almost laughed at myself. 

After three years of being his caretaker, there wasn’t an inch of him I hadn’t seen. 

I was about to close my eyes 

When my phone chimed. 

[Countdown: 6 days to Monaco Grand Prix] 

Adrian caught the notification and smirked. 

“Still tracking my every move?” His tone turned cold. “Riley, don’t you have a life of your own? This obsession with my schedule is suffocating. Find something else to fixate on.” 

I didn’t tell him that I did have plans – ones that involved getting as far away from him as possible. 

His mother had promised to fund my jewelry design degree in Milan after the race. The countdown wasn’t for him – it was for my freedom. 

Something landed on my lap – a signature blue Tiffany box. Adrian stood awkwardly by the door, not quite meeting 

my eyes. 

“Happy birthday. Sorry about last night. I’ll make it up to you later.” 

He was gone before I could respond. So he did remember. He just didn’t think it was worth coming home for. 

The ache in my chest felt dull now, more of a phantom pain than a fresh wound. 

Inside the box lay an exquisite diamond necklace, clearly meant to match the bracelet on my wrist. 

But while my bracelet was roughly handmade by Rain during those simpla J. 

and precision 

Chapter 4 

After a moment’s hesitation, I unclasped the bracelet, placing it alongside the necklace. 

These remnants of two different men – I didn’t want either of them anymore. 

I’d return the box before I left, one final goodbye to both Rain and Adrian Chase.