Too Late for Sorry, Mr. Billionaire (Chasing my Wife Back) novel Chapter 113

“ADRIAN!”

The name rang across the restaurant, clear and confident.

Vivian felt her heart stop.

Not slow.

Stop.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table as she turned fully toward the direction Vale was calling.

And then she saw him clearly.

Adrian.

The husband of the woman whose home she had once helped destroy.

The man she had once shared hotel rooms with.

The man who had once whispered forever into her ears.

Her chest tightened painfully.

Why was Vale calling out to him?

“Oh goodness! Mr. Cole?” Vale exclaimed again, laughing in disbelief as he beckoned enthusiastically. “Mr. Cole!”

Mr. Cole.

The name felt foreign and familiar all at once.

Adrian had already risen halfway from his seat when he realized who was calling him. His brows furrowed briefly in confusion, then recognition dawned.

Valentine.

He excused himself from his associates with a polite gesture and walked up to him, and together they began walking back toward their table, chatting as they went.

Each step he took felt like thunder in Vivian’s ears.

Unknown to him, he was walking straight into a storm.

Vivian’s breathing became shallow. She forced herself to sit upright, to look composed, to not betray the panic clawing at her insides.

They reached their table and for a split second, his eyes landed on Vivian.

They lingered.

Not long enough to be obvious, but long enough.

Something flickered there, something like recognition, surprise… calculation.

Then it was gone.

His expression smoothed into polite professionalism.

“Valentine?” Adrian hailed again, a slow smile spreading across his face.

Vale turned to him, smiles all over his face.

“Oh my! The one and only Mr. Cole! What are you doing here?” he asked, gripping Adrian’s hand firmly.

Adrian chuckled lightly, returning the handshake.

“Valentine! I could say the same for you. What are you doing here?”

Valentine.

Vale.

Vivian’s mind raced.

Valentine?

Her boyfriend’s full name was Valentine?

And he knew Adrian well enough to greet him like this?

Her stomach churned.

“I had no idea you were in this city,” Vale continued excitedly. “It has been what— years?”

“Almost ten,” Adrian replied calmly. “Business keeps me moving.”

“Same here!” Vale said. “Just flew in yesterday. Got a few projects I’m looking into.”

Adrian nodded approvingly.

“That is good. I didn't know you were back from college and already in the business world huh?”

Vale grinned.

“I'm sorry I didn't inform you. I have been too occupied. I still have huge respect for you, regardless,” he placed his two palms together and bowed his head slightly.

“Oh! Valentine, it's fine. It's fine…”

All the while, Adrian’s gaze drifted, subtle but deliberate toward Vivian again.

She could feel it. Like heat against her skin.

But when his eyes met hers, his expression remained neutral. Blank. As though she were a stranger he had never shared secrets with.

It stung.

And relieved her at the same time.

“And you?” Vale asked. “What brings you here? More empire-building?”

Adrian smiled faintly.

“You could call it that. I have a meeting tomorrow. Thought I should settle in tonight.”

“Still the workaholic,” Vale teased.

Adrian shrugged. “Some things don’t change, boy.”

Vivian swallowed.

Some things don’t change.

The words echoed uncomfortably in her mind.

Vale suddenly turned slightly toward her, as though remembering something important.

“Oh! I’m so rude,” he said. “Let me introduce you properly.”

Vivian’s pulse spiked.

“Mr. Cole, this is my girlfriend, Vivian.”

Girlfriend.

The word rang loudly.

Adrian’s eyes returned to her.

This time, the pause was barely a second longer than appropriate.

“Vivian,” he repeated smoothly.

He extended his hand.

Professional and controlled. As though he had never held her waist in the dark.

She forced her hand forward.

“Nice to meet you,” she said, praying her voice didn’t shake.

Their hands touched.

Light handshake.

Brief.

But the contact sent a jolt through her.

Adrian’s grip was polite and distant. His face unreadable.

Did he not think it important?

Or did he assume she didn’t need to know?

She glanced subtly toward Adrian’s table.

He was already seated, engaged in conversation with his associates as though nothing unusual had occurred.

As though she were nothing more than a random woman introduced minutes ago.

The dismissal burned.

Yet the secrecy comforted her.

Vale studied her face suddenly.

“You okay?” he asked.

She blinked. “Of course.”

“You seem… different.”

Different.

She straightened. “No, I’m fine.”

He tilted his head slightly. “You got quiet.”

“I’m just tired,” she lied smoothly. “Long day.”

He didn’t look entirely convinced.

Vivian forced a brighter smile.

“It was just unexpected, that is all. You seeing someone you know.”

Vale relaxed a little.

“Yeah, crazy coincidence.”

Crazy indeed.

She stole another glance toward Adrian.

He was speaking, occasionally nodding, reviewing something on his phone.

Composed and unbothered as always.

Untouched by the chaos tearing through her.

Her appetite vanished.

The elegant restaurant no longer felt glamorous. It felt suffocating.

Every laugh from Adrian’s table felt like mockery.

Every glance in that direction made her skin prickle.

She just needed them to leave.

Needed distance.

Needed this night to end without exposure.

Because if Vale ever found out—

No.

She pushed the thought away.

She lifted her glass and took a slow sip, forcing composure back into her expression.

“I’m fine,” she repeated softly when Vale’s eyes lingered on her again.

But as she watched Adrian from the corner of her eye, one truth settled heavily in her chest—

This was far from over.