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Chapter 51
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2024-12-30 07:00:46I 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
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“Are you sure about this?” Adrian’s voice was quiet, but there was a weight behind it as he adjusted his cufflinks, the soft clink echoing in the silence of our room.I met his gaze in the mirror, watching his reflection as he lingered behind me. His tie hung loosely around his neck, undone, like he wasn’t entirely convinced he wanted to go either.“Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked, smoothing down the navy silk dress Alexandra had insisted I wear. Elegant, understated—chosen with precision. The kind of dress that blended into the background.Adrian’s hands brushed lightly against my shoulders, his touch hesitant. “They didn’t mean to leave you out of the planning, Mia. It’s just… this gala has been in motion for months. Before—” He paused, like the word itself might offend me. “…before you.”Before me.I focused on clasping the delicate necklace around my throat, avoiding his eyes. “I know. I’m not upset.”Lying had become second nature. I've had to move on very quickly from every situatio
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“Smile, Mia. You look like you’re being dragged to your own execution.”Adrian’s voice was soft, but the sharp edge beneath it made me glance up. His hand rested lightly against the curve of my back as we stepped out of the car, cameras flashing like miniature lightning strikes across the entrance of the Knight estate.I plastered on the kind of smile I’d perfected over the past few weeks—polite, distant, and just believable enough to pass.“I didn’t realize this was part of the deal,” I said under my breath, watching the swarm of photographers behind the velvet ropes.“It wasn’t supposed to be,” Adrian replied, voice tight as he guided me forward. “Alexandra must have invited the press.”Of course, she had.Tonight wasn’t just a party. It was a performance.The Knights’ private art auction—an exclusive, invitation-only affair that had more to do with power than paintings. It wasn’t about selling art. It was about influence. The right smile, the right conversation—carefully cultivated
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I pulled the pins from my hair one by one, letting them scatter onto the vanity as I sat in front of the mirror. The soft hum of the city outside crept in through the open window, filling the silence Adrian left behind when he disappeared into his office after the auction leaving me all alone in this gigantic room. We had stayed behind at the family house because Alexandra insisted it was too late to go back to our house. Now I'm stuck here with my not so friendly mother in-law and the mysterious Elizabeth.I stared at my reflection, watching as the makeup faded from my skin like a mask slowly slipping away.Tonight hadn’t gone as badly as I’d expected.But it hadn’t gone well, either.A soft knock at the door broke my thoughts.I already knew who it was.“Come in,” I said without turning.Adrian stepped inside, his tie loose around his neck, the top buttons of his shirt undone. His jacket was long gone, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the sharp angles of his forearms.I me
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I lingered outside the study door long after Alexandra’s voice faded into silence. The soft hum of conversation resumed, muffled now, like they knew I was still standing there.The weight of her last words pressed down on me, curling tightly around my chest.I can handle Adrian. It’s his wife I’m worried about.The hallway stretched ahead, dark and empty, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that eyes were following me as I made my way back to the bedroom.Adrian was still asleep when I returned, his arm sprawled across my side of the bed. I stood at the edge for a long moment, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.His hair had fallen over his forehead, softening the sharp edges of his face. In sleep, Adrian looked almost vulnerable. Almost.I slipped beneath the covers carefully, but the moment my head hit the pillow, his arm instinctively pulled me closer.“Mia…” he mumbled sleepily, his voice heavy with exhaustion
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The garden was the only place that felt quiet enough to think.By mid-morning, the sun warmed the stone pathways, but a cold breeze cut through the hedges, carrying the faint scent of roses and lavender. I followed the winding trail, footsteps soft against the gravel, letting the silence press around me.Alexandra’s words from the night before refused to let go.I can handle Adrian. It’s his wife I’m worried about.I’d replayed it over and over, trying to make sense of the edge in her voice, the guarded way she looked at me whenever Adrian wasn’t in the room.Elizabeth said Alexandra wasn’t an enemy.But the more time I spent here, the more I doubted that.I wasn’t imagining it.Adrian was hiding something. And Alexandra? She knew exactly what it was.I paused near the stone fountain, watching as water spilled over the marble edges.Somewhere behind me, footsteps approached.I knew who it was before I turned.“You’re brooding again.”Adrian’s voice cut softly through the air, but ther
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"I'm leaving, Adrian."The words felt heavy as they left my mouth, like stones sinking to the bottom of a lake. I hadn’t planned to say them—not this morning, not with him standing so close, watching me like he already knew something was wrong. But once the words were out, I couldn’t take them back.Adrian’s gaze lifted from the papers on his desk, eyes narrowing slightly as if he hadn’t heard me right. "You’re what?"I folded my arms, holding onto the only thing keeping me upright—pride. "I’m going to see my family. I just need a few days away, that’s all."His pen stilled between his fingers. "Mia, if something happened—""Nothing happened," I interrupted, forcing a small smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. "I just… I haven’t seen them in a while. I thought it would be nice to check in."Lie.I could feel the weight of it pressing down on my chest. This wasn’t about missing my family. It wasn’t even about them.I was scared.The longer I stayed in this house, the more I felt the
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The kitchen smelled like cinnamon and vanilla, the familiar scent wrapping around me like a blanket.Mom had been baking—probably her famous apple pie, the one she always made when she sensed something was wrong but didn’t want to ask directly.She led me inside without another word, her hand resting gently on my back. I could hear the faint sound of the television in the living room, and the soft shuffle of my dad’s footsteps as he moved around.As soon as I stepped into the kitchen, he looked up from the table, a half-folded newspaper in his hand. His eyes brightened when he saw me, but they narrowed just as quickly, scanning my face."Mia," Dad said, setting the paper down. "What a surprise.""Hi, Dad," I managed, dropping my bag near the door.His brow furrowed. "Did Adrian drive you?"I shook my head. "He sent a car."There was a flicker of something in his eyes—concern, maybe suspicion—but he didn’t press.Mom gestured to the table. "Sit down. You must be tired."I hesitated for
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Later that evening, the café hummed with a quiet stillness that only came at closing time. The last customer had left almost an hour ago, and now it was just me, Mom, and Patricia. Rain drizzled softly against the windows, casting ripples across the glass. The dim glow from the streetlights outside painted golden patterns over the tables.I wiped down the counter for the third time, dragging out the moment. I wasn’t quite ready to leave yet, even though I knew I had to.Patricia sat at one of the booths, scrolling through her phone with that half-distracted smirk she always wore when she knew something I hadn’t said aloud yet. She’d been watching me all evening, stealing little glances every time I passed by.Mom moved around behind the register, counting the day’s earnings with a calm efficiency, but even she kept stealing glances in my direction.The weight in the room was subtle, but it was there. Like everyone knew something was off, but no one wanted to say it out loud.I finally
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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
