The restaurant after the gala.
Our first date.
His surprise when I told him about my father.
His perfectly timed questions.
The way he seemed to understand grief without my explaining it.
There were more emails.
Months of them.
Adrian reporting back.
She’s cautious about money.
Victoria replying.
Then don’t discuss money.
Adrian:
She doesn’t care about the Holloway name as much as I expected.
Victoria:
Good. People who chase status are harder to control.
I stopped.
Control.
The word sat there.
Seven years old.
Older than our marriage.
Older than the first time he told me he loved me.
Older than the house.
Older than every apology I had believed.
I forced myself onward.
Four months after our first meeting:
Adrian:
She’s serious about a prenup.
Victoria:
Sign it. The trust remains separate either way. We need patience, not a fight before the wedding.
Adrian:
