Adrian had always prided himself on being a man who knew how to handle his competition, whether in business or in life. But this was different. This was Grace, and anyone who got too close to her was a threat in his eyes. And Max, despite his smooth demeanor and reassuring presence, was clearly more than just a supportive friend. Adrian could sense the underlying tension every time he saw them together.
He hadn't missed the way Max had inserted himself into Grace's life so effortlessly. It started subtly enough—a text here, a call there, always present at the right moment. But now, seeing how Grace seemed to lean on him more and more, Adrian's jealousy had boiled over into something darker. It wasn't just concern for his marriage anymore; it was a fear of losing Grace altogether.
He needed to know who Max really was. What kind of man had the audacity to step into his life, his home, and try to take what was his? He had tried to ignore it, to push the nagging feeling that something was off, but now that Max had been around more and more, Adrian couldn't ignore it any longer.
So, he did what any businessman in his position would do. He hired someone to dig.
The investigator had been thorough, leaving no stone unturned. Adrian had paid for the best in the business, someone who could uncover everything—whether Max had any skeletons in his closet or if he was just an innocent bystander caught in Grace's orbit. If there was any dirt, Adrian wanted to know about it.
Days passed, and Adrian's frustration grew with every report. Max had a clean record—impeccable, in fact. No scandals, no financial ruin, no shady dealings. His work history was spotless, his reputation untouched. In fact, Max's background was almost too perfect. A humble upbringing, a successful career, and no significant personal flaws. There was nothing that would make him an easy target.
Adrian dug deeper, hoping for something—anything—that would give him leverage. But all he found was a man who had worked tirelessly to build a good life for himself. Max had no criminal record, no disgraced exes, no skeletons lurking in the shadows. There was no scandal to exploit, no weakness to exploit. Just a man who had gone after what he wanted with steady determination.
It infuriated Adrian even more. How was it possible that this guy, this man who had no obvious flaws or weaknesses, had gotten so close to Grace? Why was Grace gravitating toward him, trusting him more than Adrian, the man she had married? Adrian couldn't help but feel the sting of inadequacy. He had built an empire, had everything a man could want, and yet he couldn't even seem to hold on to the one thing that truly mattered to him—Grace.
The lack of dirt on Max was almost maddening. Adrian was used to manipulating people, using their weaknesses against them, but Max had none. He wasn't like the others Adrian had faced before—he didn't have any vices that could be exploited. All Adrian was left with was the uncomfortable reality that Max was an honest man with no obvious faults.
But the more Adrian thought about it, the more he realized that it wasn't about Max's background or his perfect track record. It was about the way Grace looked at him. The way she seemed so at ease with Max, the way she found solace in his presence, the way she smiled at him. Adrian had tried to convince himself that she was just relying on a friend, that it was nothing more than that. But deep down, he knew that the connection between Grace and Max was something more. And it terrified him.
Adrian's jealousy was now taking on a different form—he wasn't just angry at Max for getting close to Grace. He was scared. Scared that no matter what he did, he wouldn't be able to keep Grace from seeing that Max could offer her something that he could not: sincerity, honesty, and a love that wasn't tainted by arrogance and pride.
As he sat at his desk, staring at the clean report on Max, Adrian knew one thing for sure. He was going to have to fight harder than he ever had before to keep Grace. But what Adrian hadn't considered was that this fight wouldn't be won by money or influence. It would be a fight for Grace's heart, and that was something no amount of manipulation could guarantee.
Adrian's mind raced as he walked toward the café where Max had been meeting Grace. His steps were slow, deliberate, the weight of his jealousy and anger fueling each one. The calm facade he usually wore had crumbled. There was no more pretending. He had to confront Max.
Max was sitting at a table near the window, casually sipping a coffee, his eyes scanning the street. When Adrian entered, he didn't immediately acknowledge him. It was clear Max had been expecting this confrontation, and Adrian could feel the tension building as he approached.
"Max," Adrian called out coldly, his voice like ice cutting through the air.
Max looked up, a smile tugging at his lips, but it quickly faded when he saw the look on Adrian's face. There was no polite greeting, no small talk. Adrian didn't care for pleasantries.
"Adrian," Max replied, his voice steady but guarded. "What can I do for you?"
Adrian didn't waste any time. He stood tall, his posture rigid as he spoke. "I need to know what your intentions are with my wife, Grace."
Max's expression shifted. His eyes narrowed, and the calm he had worn earlier was replaced with an unmistakable fire. "Your wife? You don't deserve her."
The words hit Adrian like a slap, and his fists clenched involuntarily. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Adrian growled, stepping closer.
Max didn't flinch. "It means that you broke her. You hurt her, Adrian. You took her heart and crushed it without a second thought, and now you expect her to just go back to you like nothing happened?" Max's voice was low, but the anger behind it was clear. "You don't get to play the victim here."
Adrian's jaw tightened. He had heard enough. "You think you know her, don't you? You think you can waltz back into her life and make everything better? You don't know anything about Grace. You don't know what she needs."
Max leaned forward, his eyes intense. "I know more about Grace than you'll ever understand. She deserves someone who will love her unconditionally, not someone who treats her like a trophy to be controlled."
The words stung, but Adrian didn't show it. His chest was rising and falling rapidly, his blood boiling. "And you think you can give her that? You think you're some kind of hero?" Adrian scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You've been following her around like some lovesick fool, playing the part of the knight in shining armor. Well, let me tell you something—Grace isn't some damsel in distress. She's my wife, and I won't let you interfere."
Max stood up abruptly, his chair scraping harshly against the floor. "I'm not some fool, Adrian. I'm here because I care about her. I've seen what you've done to her. You're the one who's been interfering, ruining her happiness."
The anger was rising in both of them now, their words sharp like daggers. Adrian's voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl. "You think you can come in here and take what's mine? You're just a guy who couldn't even make it big until you ran off. You think she'll choose you over me?" He stepped forward, towering over Max. "You're nothing."
Max's eyes flashed with fury, and before Adrian could react, Max shoved him hard in the chest. "Don't you dare talk about me like that. You don't get to treat her like a possession."
The force of the shove knocked Adrian back a step, his pride bruised. But instead of backing down, he shoved Max back just as forcefully, their confrontation escalating. The two men were face to face now, their breathing heavy and ragged.
"You don't know anything about us, about what we had!" Adrian snarled. "She's mine, and I'm not letting you take her from me."
Max's fist flew through the air, connecting with Adrian's jaw in a sharp, painful blow. Adrian staggered back, more out of shock than pain, his face twisting with anger.
"That's for breaking her heart," Max spat, his voice shaking with fury.
Adrian wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes now filled with rage. He lunged at Max, pushing him against the table, knocking over drinks. The two men were locked in a brutal struggle now, punches flying, their fight spilling into the café. Chairs crashed to the floor, and patrons gasped and scrambled out of the way.
Max didn't back down, though. He fought with everything he had, driven by the need to protect Grace, to show her that he was the man she deserved. Every blow he landed on Adrian felt like justice for the pain Grace had endured. Every word Adrian had said to him—every insult—had fueled this fury inside him.
Finally, Adrian managed to break free, panting heavily as he wiped the blood from his face. His eyes were wild, his pride shattered. Max stood opposite him, his chest heaving with anger.
"You're wrong about me," Max said through gritted teeth. "I won't back down. Not when it comes to her. I will fight for her, no matter what."
Adrian's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. "You'll never win, Max. She's mine, and you're just a passing shadow."
Max didn't flinch. "We'll see about that, Adrian."
The tension between them was palpable, each man locked in a battle for Grace's heart. As Max turned and walked away, Adrian could feel his fury still burning, but something inside him had shifted. This wasn't over. It wasn't just about winning Grace back anymore—it was about proving to himself that he could keep her. And he wouldn't let anyone, not even Max, stand in his way.