Chapter 453

Tiffany Sinclair's fingers twisted the hem of her dress unconsciously. The tips of her ears flushed pink.

She hadn't expected to run into Adrian Valdemar at the hallway corner.

"I..." Adrian cleared his throat lightly. "Just passing by."

Tiffany pressed her lips together.

An awkward tension hung in the air.

"Actually..."

"Well..."

They spoke simultaneously and stopped at the same time.

Adrian broke the silence first. "I won't tell anyone."

The tension in Tiffany's shoulders eased slightly.

She forced a small smile. "Thanks."

Being caught in an argument with her parents was embarrassing enough. Worse that the witness was Julian Valdemar's younger brother.

"Miss Sinclair."

Adrian's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Are you really going through with the engagement to Julian?"

Tiffany gave a bitter smile. "It's not about whether I can back out now."

She spread her hands helplessly.

"He's in love with someone else." Adrian met her gaze directly. "And you'd still marry him?"

Tiffany's chest constricted.

His words stabbed like a knife.

Her fists clenched until nails dug into her palms.

Who cared about her feelings?

In this arranged marriage, she was just a pawn.

Julian had fallen for another, yet she bore the consequences.

"What I mean is," Adrian took a step closer, "the Valdemars have more than one suitable bachelor."

Tiffany's head jerked up.

The young man stood silhouetted against the light, his features sharply defined.

"My last name is Valdemar." His voice was soft.

Tiffany's pupils contracted.

"Consider marrying me instead."

Streetlights cast fractured shadows across Adrian's lashes.

Tiffany heard the violent pounding of her own heartbeat.

"I'm older than you..." Her voice trembled.

Adrian's throat moved. "Only by two years."

Night wind slipped between them.

Tiffany found it hard to breathe.

"Give me some time..."