“Deviana, wait!”

Adrian ran, out of breath, his footsteps quick along the office corridor as curious eyes followed them. Deviana had just left the meeting room with a cold expression, as if there was no room left for him to even turn her head.

“Let go of me, Adrian!” Deviana’s voice rose as she tried to pull her wrist free from his grip. “Do you know everyone is watching us? I’m sick of being gossip fodder because of you!”

Adrian paused, eyes pleading. “I don’t care if they see. The only thing that matters is you, Deviana. Give me one chance to explain everything. Please — I can’t live like...