Chapter 7 Standing Beside You

The morning after our conversation in the garden felt different.

Not lighter. Not heavier. Just... changed.

I woke with a strange awareness in my chest, as though something fragile had settled there overnight. The words Adrian had spoken echoed in my mind-We'll move slowly. Carefully. Together.

I didn't know what that meant for us yet, but for the first time, I wasn't afraid of the uncertainty.

When I stepped into the kitchen, Adrian was already there. He looked up immediately, as if he had been waiting. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, neither of us spoke.

"Good morning," he said finally, his voice softer than usual.

"Good morning," I replied.

There was no awkwardness, no forced distance. Just a quiet understanding, delicate and new.

"I have an event today," he said as he poured coffee. "A charity luncheon. It's... expected that my wife attends."

My heart skipped. "Oh."

"I don't want to pressure you," he added quickly. "If you're not comfortable-"

"I'll go," I said, surprising both of us.

He paused, studying my face. "Are you sure?"

I nodded slowly. "Yes. I think... I think I want to."

Something unreadable flickered across his expression-relief, perhaps, or gratitude. "Alright," he said gently. "We'll go together."

Together.

The word lingered.

---

The preparations were overwhelming. A stylist arrived, followed by a makeup artist. I felt out of place, standing in the middle of a world so polished and unfamiliar. But Adrian never left my side. He didn't rush me. He didn't command. He simply stayed close, grounding me.

When I finally looked at myself in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back. The dress was elegant but simple, soft blue that matched the calm I was trying to hold onto. My hair fell in loose waves, my makeup light and natural.

"You look beautiful," Adrian said quietly from behind me.

I turned, startled-not by the compliment, but by the sincerity in his voice.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He offered his arm, hesitating slightly, giving me time to decide.

I took it.

---

The venue was grand, filled with people dressed in expensive fabrics and confident smiles. Conversations flowed easily, laughter echoing through the space. As soon as we entered, heads turned.

I felt it immediately-the attention, the curiosity.

Adrian leaned closer. "Stay with me," he murmured.

I nodded, gripping his arm just a little tighter.

Introductions began almost immediately.

"Adrian!" a man exclaimed, approaching with a wide grin. "You didn't tell us you were bringing your wife."

Adrian's hand tightened gently over mine. "I didn't feel the need to announce it," he replied calmly. "This is Elena."

Not my wife.

Elena.

The way he said my name-steady, respectful-made my heart flutter.

"It's lovely to meet you," the man said warmly.

As the afternoon continued, I noticed something remarkable. Adrian never left me behind. Never walked ahead. Never spoke over me. When someone addressed him, he included me. When someone ignored me, he subtly redirected attention back my way.

At one point, a woman laughed lightly and said, "You're very quiet, Elena. Not used to this world yet?"

Before I could answer, Adrian spoke. "She doesn't need to be loud to be present."

The room fell silent for half a second.

The woman smiled awkwardly. "Of course. I didn't mean-"

"I know," Adrian said politely. "But I want it to be clear."

Clear.

That word wrapped around my heart.

---

Later, we stepped out onto the balcony for air. The city stretched before us, glowing softly under the afternoon sun.

"You handled that well," Adrian said.

"I was terrified," I admitted with a small laugh.

"You didn't show it."

"I think that's because you were there."

He turned to look at me, his gaze thoughtful. "That's what partners do," he said quietly.

Partners.

The word sent warmth through me.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The breeze lifted my hair, and without thinking, Adrian reached out, gently tucking a strand behind my ear. He froze immediately, as if realizing what he'd done.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay," I said softly.

Our eyes locked.

Time seemed to slow.

There was no rush, no pressure. Just two people standing at the edge of something neither had planned for.

---

On the drive home, silence filled the car again-but it was different from before. Comfortable. Safe.

"Thank you," I said suddenly.

"For what?"

"For today. For... standing beside me."

He glanced at me briefly, then back to the road. "That's where I want to be."

The simplicity of his answer made my chest ache.

---

That night, as I lay in bed, I replayed the day again and again. Not the grandeur. Not the attention. But the way Adrian had chosen me-quietly, consistently, without needing an audience.

For the first time, I realized something important.

He wasn't pretending to be my husband in public.

He was choosing to be one.

And that realization changed everything.