Chapter 14: Helena's scheme

Thirty minutes later, Anna stepped into the kitchen, confusion etched on her face from the events of a few moments ago. She was uncertain about Adrian's strange behavior toward her. Was it genuine affection, or was it merely related to the baby?

 

After bathing her, Adrian dried her off and carried her into the bedroom, where he helped her get ready. He even blow-dried her hair. However, he then returned to the bathroom without a word. 

Anna sat on the edge of the bed, anticipation bubbling within her as she awaited his return, hoping for a conversation to clear her confusion. But as time ticked by and the silence stretched on, she grew restless. He came out of the bathroom and entered the closet, but was taking longer than expected in the closet, and the familiar pang of hunger reminded her that she had skipped supper the previous night. Deciding she couldn't wait any longer, she left.

 

“I'm sorry,” Anna said when she walked into someone and a mug of coffee dropped onto the floor, smashing.

“Oh, it's okay,” Helena said with a warm smile as she purposely went down to collect the broken shards when she saw a maid running toward them. She thought the maid would come and ask her if she hurt herself or ask her to stop collecting the shards to prevent cutting herself. But the stupid maid approached Anna! She took one of the shards in her hand and looked up at Anna, as she imagined how it would feel stabbing it into her.

“Mrs. Adams, did you hurt yourself?” The maid, Felicia asked, worried etch on her face.

“I'm fine, thank …” 

“Mrs Adams? I thought you divorced?” Helena asked innocently, standing up. Anna smiled and told Felicia,

“Yes, call me Anna." Felicia smiled and said,

“Sure, Miss Anna.” Felicia called another maid who came and cleared the mess. “Miss Anna, why don't you enjoy this while I prepare your meal?” Felicia said, handing Anna a hot cup of creamy tea. However, Anna frowned when she noticed there was food available to serve her. 

“But there’s food?” Anna asked. Felicia smiled and replied, 

“The boss just called and instructed me on what meal I should prepare for you.” At Felicia's words, Helena frowned. 

The reason she purposely walked into a distracted Anna was the hickeys she saw on Anna's neck. It wasn't there when she saw Anna earlier. It meant something happened between Anna and Adrian. Now he's telling the maids what meal Anna should be served? Has Adrian fallen in love with Anna?

She noticed something was different about Adrian last night—how he cummed just a few minutes after penetrating her. Adrian used to go extra with her in the past, but yesterday, it was like he wanted to cum and pull out of her; there was no connection between them. And he left immediately after cumming. The thought that Adrian spent the night in the same bed with Anna sent a storm of jealousy through her. She has already killed someone; it won't be hard doing it again. 

Just then, Helena’s gaze caught Adrian as he made his descent down the stairs, adjusting his cufflink with a focused expression. A mischievous smile played on her lips. She looked back and saw Felicia had her back toward them. Throwing a conspiratorial glance at Anna, Helena seized the moment, her hand darting out to grab the steaming mug in Anna’s grasp. In a swift, unexpected motion, she doused her own hand with the steaming tea. 

“Hey! Are you out of your mind?!” Anna exclaimed, shock rippling through her voice. At that moment, Helena took her cue, letting out a piercing scream as she dropped to the floor, her expression a mix of feigned distress and shock. 

Hurrying into the kitchen in response to Anna's startled cry, Adrian halted abruptly, his eyes widening in disbelief at the sight before him. There sat Helena on the floor, her hand cradled in her lap, trembling slightly as it glistened with the remnants of hot tea, while Anna stood above her, clutching the mug with a look of bewilderment etched across her face. 

“Adrian, I was just trying to be nice, and she threw hot tea on me,” Helena said in a pitiful voice, a pained expression on her face as if she were restraining herself from feeling the pain in her hand.

“What? You…” Anna hadn't finished speaking when Adrian carried Helena bridal style and walked out of the kitchen.

 

~~~

 

30 minutes later, Adrian arrived at the hospital with Helena. He took her to the A&E department, where her burns would be treated. They had just entered the room when Adrian's phone rang, and he excused himself. 

After Adrian stepped out of the room, the doctor gently took Helena's hand in his own, his fingers carefully brushing over her skin.

“Miss,” he said, his tone steady and professional, “you’ve sustained a second-degree burn.” He examined the reddened, swollen area, concern evident in his eyes. “I will apply some cool water to soothe the pain, and then we proceed to the next steps for your treatment,” the doctor informed Helena.

“Okay, will it be bandaged?” Helena inquired softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced at the doctor with hopeful eyes.

“Yes, we’ll bandage just the spot with the burn,” he replied, his tone reassuring and professional. A shadow flickered across Helena's face, and she continued, her voice tinged with feigned sadness.

“Oh, I was hoping my whole hand would be bandaged as well.” The doctor raised an eyebrow, intrigued. 

“Why is that?” he asked, studying her expression. Helena hesitated for a moment, biting her lip before responding. 

“It’s… personal reasons,” she confessed, her gaze dropping to the floor. Then, with a hint of vulnerability in her tone, she added, “But I would be very happy if you bandaged my hand; it would make me look more handicapped.” Helena’s face dropped as she looked up at him, her eyes wide and pleading, like a puppy seeking comfort. The doctor regarded her for a moment, noting the seriousness in her eyes and the way her lips formed a delicate pout. With a gentle smile, he relented, 

“As you wish, Miss.” 

~~~

 

An hour later, Anna sat quietly in the living room, the soft amber glow of the lamp illuminating the pages of the book she hadn’t really been reading. The familiar sound of tires crunching over gravel broke the silence, followed by the unmistakable rumble of Adrian’s car pulling into the driveway. A moment later, the front door creaked open, and the sound of his footsteps echoed softly against the polished hardwood floor, each step resonating with an air of anticipation. But she remained defiant and didn't turn to look at him.

When Adrian stepped into the living room, his eyes immediately found Anna seated on the sofa, yet she remained utterly absorbed in her thoughts, not acknowledging his presence despite being only a few feet apart. He could sense the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air as he turned his attention towards the staircase carrying Helena in his arms. 

“Have some rest. I’ll inform the maids to help you with everything you need,” Adrian said, his voice tender and reassuring. Helena nodded in understanding.

“I love you,” she said, her voice a soft whisper. 

 

“I love you too, Helena,” Adrian replied, the words laced with a mixture of affection and a hint of vulnerability, as if he needed to convince himself of that love. Leaning down, he placed a soft, lingering kiss on Helena’s forehead, a gesture filled with reluctance, before making his way back out of the room.

However, the moment Adrian stepped out of Helena's room, he came face to face with Anna.

“I'm leaving.”