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Chapter 43
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2024-12-27 19:46:54
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For a second, neither of us moved.Adrian’s mother stood in the doorway, her eyes narrowing as she looked between us. The air seemed to thicken, the weight of her words pressing down on the room like a lead blanket.Adrian was the first to recover. He pushed off the wall, his face smoothing into that unreadable, perfectly controlled expression he always wore in public. “Mom, you’re hearing things.”“I don’t think I am,” she replied sharply, stepping further into the room. Her gaze shifted to me. “Mia?”I swallowed, gripping the handle of my half-packed suitcase a little tighter. This wasn’t part of the plan. Adrian and I had agreed—his family wasn’t supposed to know the truth. Not now. Not ever, if we could help it.Adrian’s hand brushed against my arm lightly, just enough to draw my attention. I glanced at him, and he gave the faintest shake of his head.Lie.“It’s nothing,” I said quickly, forcing a small, awkward laugh. “We were just… joking.”His mother’s brow arched. “Joking?”“Y
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“You’re late.”Adrian’s voice cut through the darkened hallway as I shut the front door behind me. His back was to me, one hand braced against the wall, his head slightly lowered.I frowned, glancing at the time on my phone. 11:32 PM.“I didn’t realize I had a curfew,” I replied, setting my keys down on the entry table.“You don’t.” His fingers tapped lightly against the wall, the steady rhythm echoing faintly. “But she’s been here for two hours.”My stomach twisted. “Who?”Adrian finally turned, his eyes locking on mine. The sharp lines of his face were shadowed in the dim lighting, but the tension in his jaw was unmistakable.“My mother.”I froze.“She’s waiting in the dining room,” he added, his gaze narrowing slightly. “Said she had something important to discuss with both of us.”A pit formed in my stomach. I took a step forward, lowering my voice. “Does she know?”“I don’t know.” Adrian’s eyes flickered with something I couldn’t quite place—concern, maybe even frustration. “But
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“Did you hear that?”Adrian’s voice cut through the silence as he stepped into the house, his gaze flickering toward the living room.I paused at the doorway, one hand gripping the strap of my bag a little tighter. “Hear what?”He didn’t answer right away. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly as if he were listening for something.“It’s nothing,” he muttered, finally shaking his head.But the crease in his brow didn’t disappear.I stepped in behind him, glancing around the house. The lights were dim, and everything was still, but there was something… off.Maybe it was just me. I’d been on edge since his mom’s unexpected interrogation.“You sure she didn’t follow us?” I asked, half-joking as I dropped my bag near the stairs.Adrian smirked faintly. “Mom’s not exactly the lurking type.”“Could’ve fooled me.”He shot me a look, but there was amusement in his eyes.As I walked into the living room, I noticed a stack of mail sitting on the coffee table. My gaze skimmed over it, catching the
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Elizabeth’s heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the entryway like she was already taking mental notes.I stood stiffly by Adrian’s side, feeling painfully aware of the fact that I wasn’t dressed to impress. My simple black dress felt too casual next to her perfectly tailored ensemble.“Elizabeth,” Adrian greeted, his voice polite but distant. “You’re early.”She smiled, the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I thought I’d get a head start. You know how much your mother loves punctuality.”Adrian’s hand brushed against the small of my back. Whether it was intentional or not, I couldn’t tell, but the brief contact steadied me.“Mia,” Elizabeth said, turning her attention to me. “I’ve heard so much about you.”I forced a polite smile. “Wish I could say the same.”Adrian cleared his throat, shooting me a look.Elizabeth chuckled softly, like I was a child saying something amusing. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to
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The house was too quiet. I shifted on the couch, wrapping Adrian’s throw blanket tighter around me. My eyes flickered to the clock—almost midnight—and he still wasn’t back. A part of me wanted to call him, but something held me back. I didn’t want to seem like that kind of wife. Except… I wasn’t really his wife, was I? I sighed, running my fingers over the edge of the blanket. The longer I sat there, the more uneasy I felt. Finally, I gave up and stood, pacing toward the window. The street outside was dark, only the faint glow of the streetlights stretching across the pavement. I hated this—hated the way Adrian’s family made everything feel like some carefully orchestrated game. And worse, I hated how little I knew about the rules. A soft creak echoed from somewhere upstairs. I froze. My heart hammered, and for a moment, I thought I imagined it. But then it came again. Someone’s in the house. I swallowed hard, forcing my breathing to slow. It could be Adrian… bu
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I spent the rest of the morning pacing the living room, occasionally glaring at the invitation like it might disappear if I stared long enough. It didn’t. By noon, I’d given up pretending I wasn’t bothered. Adrian’s mom wasn’t just testing him—she was testing me, too. And I hated the fact that part of me wanted to pass. The sound of the front door unlocking snapped me out of my thoughts. Adrian stepped inside, shrugging off his coat. His tie was loose, and his hair was a little messier than usual, but he looked just as put together as ever. He paused when he saw me standing in the middle of the room. “Didn’t move all morning, huh?” I crossed my arms. “Why do I feel like this dinner is a setup?” His lips twitched, but he didn’t quite smile. “Because it probably is.” I raised a brow. “That’s comforting.”
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The house was eerily quiet, except for the faint clicking of my heels against the marble floors. It wasn’t a comforting silence. If anything, it felt like the calm before a storm—one I wasn’t ready for.I stopped at the doorway to Adrian’s study, watching as he skimmed through papers at his desk. He looked up, his sharp eyes softening when they met mine.“You’re home late,” he said, leaning back in his chair.“I ran into your mother,” I replied, trying to keep my voice light. “Apparently, she’s organizing some big charity fundraiser.”Adrian’s brows twitched in mild recognition, but he didn’t seem particularly interested. “Oh, that. She does it every year.”I shifted on my feet. “Did you know Elizabeth’s involved this time?”That caught his attention. His gaze sharpened slightly. “Elizabeth?”“Yeah. She and Alexandra are co-hosting. Your mom mentioned it like it was supposed to be obvious.” I crossed my arms, raising a b
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I should’ve known something was wrong the second Alexandra smiled at me.She and Elizabeth had summoned Adrian and me to the Whitmore estate for what they called a “family meeting.” I assumed it was another round of subtle jabs and polite insults disguised as advice.I had been to the Knight estate on several occasions but I still couldn't help being amazed every time I came. It looked like something pulled straight from an old black-and-white film. Grand, sprawling gardens stretched far beyond the eye could see, and the main house loomed in the distance—stone walls covered in ivy, tall glass windows that reflected the pale afternoon sun like mirrors. I could practically feel the weight of its history pressing down on me the moment I stepped through the gates.It was beautiful.And suffocating.“Thank you for coming,” Alexandra said, her voice clipped as always, though there was a thin veil of politeness stretched over her words today. She was
Last Updated : 2024-12-30
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The evening was nothing short of perfect. The soft hum of the city below mixed with the gentle whisper of the wind, and the sky stretched out in vibrant hues of orange and pink. It felt like the entire world had paused to give us this moment, a rare and precious gift. The balcony where we stood had become our sanctuary—a place where we could breathe, where we could be just us, without the weight of the world pressing down on our shoulders. It had witnessed our transformation, from uncertainty to the kind of deep, unwavering love that anchored us here, in this peaceful moment.Adrian’s arm was around my shoulders, holding me close, and I felt the warmth of him seep into me, deep into my very bones. There was something about the way he held me—like he’d never let go, no matter what. The simple touch of his hand was grounding, like a promise. It felt like the world had faded away, leaving only us here. The hum of the city below was distant, muted, as if the world knew that in this moment
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The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the large windows of our cozy home, casting golden rays across the room. The world outside was just beginning to wake up, and I could hear the distant hum of cars on the road, the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze, but here, in this moment, it felt like it was just us. Adrian’s deep, contented breath beside me was the first sound I heard as I woke, his arm wrapped around me, holding me close. I smiled, enjoying the peace of the moment. We had been married for six months now, and somehow, everything felt both familiar and brand new at the same time. Like we were writing a story together that we’d never expected but were fully committed to.I glanced over at him, unable to resist. His features were softened in sleep, the usual intensity of his expression replaced with a peaceful calm. His lips were parted slightly, and I could see the subtle rise and fall of his chest with each breath he took. There was something about the sight of
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The day had finally arrived. The crisp morning air was filled with the soft hum of birdsong, blending harmoniously with the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. The estate was a picture of serenity and beauty, nestled on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sparkling blue ocean. The sprawling gardens, meticulously maintained, were adorned with white roses, cascading ivy, and golden lanterns that twinkled even in the bright light of day. The venue was a dream—exactly what Mia had envisioned, though she would have never admitted just how much time she spent agonizing over the details. As the sun climbed higher into the sky, its rays kissed the tops of the trees, casting dappled light over the rows of chairs and the pristine white aisle that stretched toward the ornate floral arch at the altar. Mia stood in front of a gilded mirror in the bridal suite, her hands trembling slightly as they smoothed over the soft fabric of her dress. Her breath caught in her throat as she to
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I stood in the center of the boutique, staring at myself in the mirror. The lace of the wedding dress hugged my frame perfectly, the subtle shimmer catching the sunlight streaming through the large windows. The delicate floral embroidery along the bodice and hemline made the dress feel timeless, a perfect blend of elegance and romance. Yet, as perfect as it was, my chest felt tight, and my hands clutched nervously at the fabric as though grounding myself.“Are you sure about this one?” Claire’s voice broke through my thoughts. She stepped beside me, tilting her head as she studied my reflection. Her fingers reached out to adjust the veil slightly, her touch light but deliberate. Her tone was casual, but I knew her too well—there was an undercurrent of concern in her words.“It’s beautiful,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. I smoothed my hands over the intricate embroidery again, as if doing so would steady my nerves. “But… it still feels surreal.”Claire sighed, folding
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The sound of waves lapping against the shore filled the quiet evening, a rhythmic hum that steadied Mia’s racing thoughts. She had no idea what Adrian was planning. A simple invitation to dinner had turned into a mysterious journey, one that brought her to this private beach under a sky painted in hues of pink and orange. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over everything. It was beautiful—but Adrian was being suspiciously quiet, his usual confidence subdued by what seemed to be nervous energy. “Are you going to tell me what this is about?” Mia asked, her voice breaking the silence as they walked along the soft sand. The fine grains shifted beneath her feet, cool and inviting, yet her heart was anything but calm. Adrian turned to her, his dark eyes softer than she’d ever seen them. “Just trust me,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “We’re almost there.” “‘Just trust me,’” Mia repeated, raising a skeptical brow. “Do you even realize how ominous that sounds? You’re n
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Mia stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting the black dress she had chosen for the family gathering that night. It was an elegant piece, simple but fitting for what she had learned to embrace in her life—grace through challenges. Her fingers hovered over the fabric, unsure if she was ready for the weight of the evening, yet she knew it was necessary. She had made peace with Adrian’s mother—or at least, she hoped she had.The soft silk slid over her skin, and for a moment, she let herself breathe. The reflection staring back at her seemed like someone she didn’t quite recognize. There was a time when she would have run from a situation like this—an evening with Adrian’s family, full of expectations and formalities—but not anymore. She had learned that the only way through this was to face it head-on.Her heart beat a little faster as she thought of the woman she would have to face tonight: Alexandra Knight. Adrian’s mother had always been a constant reminder of how different
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Adrian and I were no longer strangers to one another, but the space between us was wide—wide enough to feel like a canyon, despite the way he reached for my hand. It had been days since we made our decision to try again, but rebuilding what we’d lost felt like trying to reassemble a shattered mirror. Each step forward felt like it might be the wrong one, but we couldn’t go back. I couldn’t go back.We were sitting in the same quiet café where everything had fallen apart. The same place where Adrian had hesitated, where my heart had broken, and where, for the first time in months, we were attempting something that felt almost... normal.The hum of quiet conversation surrounded us, punctuated by the clinking of coffee cups and the soft rustling of pages turning. I could smell the rich aroma of espresso in the air, but it did nothing to mask the tension that clung between us. It was as if the café had become a silent witness to all the moments of our relationship—the good, the bad, and t
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The café smelled of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked pastries, but the comforting aroma did nothing to settle the storm in my chest. I chose the corner booth, tucked away from the hum of conversations and the clinking of cups. My hands gripped the mug of chamomile tea in front of me, its warmth grounding me as I rehearsed what I wanted to say.Adrian was late.That wasn’t unusual for him—he always used to breeze in five or ten minutes after the clock struck, his apologies accompanied by some grand gesture. A bouquet of lilies. A designer pen he thought would inspire my next journal entry. Or just his lopsided smirk that somehow made forgiveness feel inevitable.But this time, I didn’t want grand gestures or charming apologies. I wanted honesty. I wanted answers. I needed him to face the reality of what he had done and the damage he had caused. Irrespective of the passionate kiss we shared the other night some part of me still didn't want to trust him completely I felt like I sti
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The crisp evening air carried the faint scent of pine as I paced nervously in my small living room. Tonight was the night I would make my choice, and the weight of it pressed down on me with every passing second. I’d spent days in turmoil, analyzing every moment, every feeling, every word exchanged with both Adrian and Ethan. My heart had been pulled in two directions, and now, it was time to decide.The faint ticking of the wall clock seemed louder than ever, each second an unbearable reminder of the decision looming before me. I glanced at the coffee table where my phone sat, taunting me with its silence. The memories of the past few weeks flooded my mind—Ethan’s gentle smile, Adrian’s smoldering gaze, and the countless moments that had torn my heart apart.Finally, my phone buzzed, shattering the silence. My breath hitched as I reached for it, my hands trembling. It was a text from Ethan.Ethan: “Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”His words were simple, but the weight behind them wa
