Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3293

There was no way to know, and no guarantees.

When the next massive contract came along, bringing even greater temptation, would she be expected to sleep her way to a signature?

She had to hold the line. A boundary was useless if she bent it on day one.

Adrian tapped his aluminum can against hers. "Exactly."

Sara pulled out a cigarette, glancing his way. "Do you mind?"

He looked visibly surprised. "You smoke?"

Sara nodded. "It's a habit when I'm stressed out."

She placed it between her lips and struck a lighter, exhaling a soft cloud of smoke with an effortlessly cool demeanor. "After burning out all day, sitting here, feeling the breeze, and having a smoke is the only real peace I get."

Adrian's gaze turned somber. He watched her for a moment before quietly saying, "You should cut back. It's terrible for your health."

"Sure," Sara replied, unbothered.

She had heard the lecture a million times before. She was completely numb to it, letting the words bounce right off her without bothering to argue.

When their drinks ran dry, she simply went inside for more. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and the pile of crushed cans at their feet slowly grew.

Long past midnight, Sara rubbed her temples and stumbled to her feet. "I'm done for. I know you saved my life tonight, but I literally cannot stay awake another second to entertain you. I'm going to bed. Lock up when you leave. Thanks."

She practically swayed on her feet as she staggered toward her bedroom.

Adrian tipped his can back, finishing the last drop of his beer. "Good night."

"Night,"

she mumbled groggily before the bedroom door clicked shut behind her.

Early the next morning, a relentless knocking ripped Sara from her sleep. Her head pounded with a brutal hangover as she blindly threw on an oversized t-shirt and dragged her exhausted body out of the room.

The loud pounding echoed through the apartment again.

Sara hurried over and unlatched the deadbolt. Standing in the hallway was Khloe.

Khloe was holding a bag of takeout and flashing a bright smile. "Morning, bestie."

"I have an early meeting with a client nearby, so I thought I'd drop in. I know you definitely haven't had breakfast yet."

"You took forever to open up. Honestly, you sleep like the dead."

Khloe kept chattering as she breezed past Sara and stepped into the apartment. But the second her eyes landed on Adrian lounging on the couch, the words died in her throat. She froze in her tracks, staring at him in sheer disbelief.

With nowhere to hide, Adrian could only offer a casually polite nod. "Khloe."

All the color drained from Khloe's face. She turned to look at Sara with an expression of pure, betrayed shock. Fumbling nervously, she practically dropped the breakfast bag onto the nearest counter. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have interrupted."

Without another word, she spun on her heel and bolted for the door.