Left alone in her room, Adrienne contemplated his proposition. "He may be up to no good as usual," she thought to herself, skepticism clouding her mind. "Or maybe he's just using this as a ploy to trick and deceive me into dressing up." A wry smirk tugged at her lips as she added, "Does he really think I'm that gullible?" But beneath her skepticism, an undeniable curiosity sparked within Adrienne. A part of her yearned to embrace the unknown and follow him to wherever he wanted to take her. After all, the quest for answers about her past lingered deep within her soul. It had been over forty agonizing minutes before Adrienne finally emerged, gracefully making her way down the grand staircase. She was adorned in a sleek, form-fitting black dress that accentuated her figure, paired with elegant black heels. In her hand, she carried a small, black clutch purse. As usual, her attire was skimpy, leaving little to the imagination. The matching black earrings and bracelet added an a

"You've regained your memories, right?" He asked again, his voice firm and his tone demanding. "I wish," Adrienne said with frustration as she scoffed. Deep down, she longed to remember, to piece together the fragments of her past. "Oh, come on. I know you have regained your memories, and you want to use Ryan for whatever revenge you are planning," he accused, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. Taken aback by his accusation, Adrienne's brows furrowed in confusion. "Use Ryan? What are you talking about?" Adrienne asked, genuinely puzzled by his words. She had no vendetta against Ryan, nor did she have any memory suggesting a connection. "Forget about it," he said dismissively, his attention shifting to his attire. He began dressing up, attempting to button his shirt, but Adrienne interrupted him before he could finish the task. "Explain what you meant by that statement," Adrienne demanded, her voice firm yet tinged with a hint of vulnerability. She needed answers, and she needed

Daniel sat in a dimly lit room at the police station, exhaustion etched across his face. After a grueling three-hour journey, he had finally arrived, only to be greeted by the anxious officers who filled him in on the details. The car, belonging to Adrienne, had hurtled into a shallow canal in the dead of night. It was reported by a concerned citizen, but when the rescue team arrived, no occupants were found. The gaping doors of the vehicle suggested that Adrienne and her companions had managed to escape. Desperation clawed at Daniel as he dialed Adrienne's number repeatedly, each call met with an unsettling silence. A knot of worry began to form in his gut, intensifying with every unanswered ring. "What could have possibly led Adrienne to venture this far from the city?" he pondered, his mind racing with concern for her well-being. Feeling a rising urgency, Daniel texted her mom and informed her about her daughter's inexplicable disappearance. Hours crawled by, a tormenting unc

***Three weeks later*** "Come on! Stop crying." "It's so emotional," she sobbed, tears streaming down her face. Daniel sighed, reaching out to pull her into a comforting hug. "And you are so dramatic," he said with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. "I can't believe you are leaving me for your girlfriend," Adrienne continued to sob. "Hey, stop it," he said firmly, his tone showing hints of frustration. Adrienne's tears continued to fall. "But I understand. You have to live your own life," she managed to say through her sobs. "Adri, I am only quitting being your assistant, not quitting being your best friend and companion." "But you are still leaving me," Adrienne's voice wavered. Daniel let out an exasperated sigh, his patience wearing thin. "Ugh! Adrienne! Stop the sobbing," he said, his frustration evident. Just then, Adrienne's phone rang, interrupting the tense atmosphere. It was a call from Ryan. "Hi babe," Adrienne answered, her voice suddenly brightening

"Have I ever told you about my dad?" Ryan asked Adrienne, gently patting her back as she lay against his chest. "No, you've never mentioned him before, and I've never asked," Adrienne replied, her tone filled with curiosity. "I'm sorry," Ryan chuckled, but the laughter quickly turned into pain as the memories of his recent beatings resurfaced, causing his face to ache. "Ow," he winced. "Sorry, dear. Would you like an ice pack? Maybe some ointment?" Adrienne offered, her worry evident in her voice. "Nah, I don't want you to move," Ryan replied, quickly dismissing her concerns. He cherished the way their bodies were entwined and the comforting rhythm of her heartbeat against his chest. He didn't want anything to disturb this moment. Contentedly, he sighed and planted a gentle kiss on her head. "Before all this luxury, my family and I were living as church rats. We were poor. The only time I truly felt alive was during my university years. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to rec