Evelyn’s gaze met mine, her eyes sharp. “A few, yes. But he wasn't really serious about any of them.”
I took Evelyn’s words in stride, though I couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement at the news that Adrian had never been serious with anyone. But before I could overthink it, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen—it was Sophia, my best friend. “Hi guurrl!” she greeted enthusiastically when I answered. “Hey! What’s up?” Sophia chuckled. “You’re not going to believe this, but your boss, Ms. Harper, is furious about your absence these past few days. I mean, didn’t you tell her you’d be away?” I sighed. “Of course I did, but you know Ms. Harper. She’s intense.” “Understatement of the year!” Sophia laughed. “Oh, by the way, she left a file on your desk and asked me to bring it over to you. I figured I could come by and check out the Knights’ estate while I’m at it.” “Sure, come on over. I could use some company.” After ending the call, I had about twenty minutes to kill, so I decided to explore the mansion a bit. The place was truly breathtaking—tapestries, antique paintings, every corner revealing a story. Eventually, I found myself in a cozy library with walls lined with some of my favorite books. I knew I’d be spending a lot of time here, indulging in quiet reading sessions. As I continued exploring, I stumbled upon a security room filled with monitors. Curiosity got the better of me, and I watched some of the live footage. One camera caught my attention: a familiar red car was parked outside the gate, and Sophia was gesturing wildly, clearly frustrated. The guards won't let her in. I rushed to the gate, where the guard explained, “This woman says she knows you, ma’am.” “Yes, she’s my friend,” I replied, trying to keep my tone calm. He shook his head apologetically. “She’s not on the guest list, so I can’t let her in.” Thinking quickly, I gestured for Sophia to stay put, and I climbed into the passenger seat of her car. “Park around the corner,” I instructed, leading her through the servants' door once we reached the back entrance. “Whoa!” Sophia looked around, eyes wide with awe. “This place is incredible.” She glanced over and saw Adrian lying in bed. “So this is the husband, huh? Gotta say, you scored. He’s hot, even unconscious.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s not… really alive.” Sophia smirked, "What does it feel marrying Adrian?" "Hmm, well at least we never argue, and he doesn't cheat." I joked. Sophia laughed at my bad joke. "You're crazy girl" Sophia snickered. “Oh, he’s like a real-life Sleeping Beauty. I still can’t believe you bagged Adrian Knight, you're incredible babe.” “Well I guess I did." I chuckled, "Maybe he’ll wake up if I kiss him,” I joked. She nudged me. “Then do it! What’s stopping you?” I shook my head. “I’m not kissing someone I’ve never even spoken to.” Sophia laughed, handing over the file. “Your loss. Good luck with the boss. You know how she is.” As soon as she left, I got to work on my laptop, editing the file with precision. By the time I hit send, it was dark outside. I let out a sigh of relief and turned my attention back to Adrian, ready for his evening massage. Pouring a bit of oil into my hands, I started at his feet, pressing gently. “You know, you were treated unfairly too,” I whispered. “Married off to a stranger without a choice.” I glanced at his peaceful face, feeling a strange sense of connection. “I know I’m a stranger to you,” I continued, “but I’m here because my father is sick, and your family promised me five million dollars for his treatment if I agreed to this marriage… and to have an heir.” "I'm sorry about that, if you haven't heard the truth, well I just told you. I hope we'll be cool once you wake up." Sophia’s words drifted back into my mind. Kiss him. I smirked at the thought. I leaned close, studying his handsome features. “Mind if I kiss you?” I asked, almost in a whisper. “What harm could it do?” Slowly, I pressed my lips to his, marveling at how warm he felt. I imagined what it would be like if he kissed me back— Suddenly, his eyes flickered open. I gasped, my heart pounding, as I pulled back slightly. “You’re not really awake, are you?” I murmured, half expecting it to be another reflex. But then, his thumb moved, and a groggy sound escaped his lips. “Who… who are you?” he rasped, his gaze unfocused but piercing. My heart stopped as I stared at him, utterly stunned.The villa bustled with activity, maids hurrying to adjust linens and arrange the room. By the time I returned to Adrian’s bedside, Evelyn and the doctor were already there, speaking in hushed tones.Evelyn's face lit up the moment she saw me. Without warning, she swept me into a hug. "Thank you!" she exclaimed, almost breathless with excitement. “I just know you’re Adrian’s luck. You brought him back to us!”I blinked, stunned. “It’s… just a coincidence,” I stammered, unsure what to say. “I didn’t really do anything.”She shook her head, smiling. “No, dear, it’s because of you.”Suddenly, Adrian’s voice, still faint but sharp, cut through the room. “Mom…” His gaze shifted, confused but filled with a quiet intensity. “Who is she?”Evelyn immediately moved closer to him, reaching for his hand. “Sweetie, I’m here. This is your wife.”Adrian’s eyes widened in shock. His gaze hardened, shifting from his mother to me. “Wife? When? How?”Evelyn's face twisted with frustration. “I made the de
I stammered, trying to find the words. "I thought… maybe if I kissed you…"He cut me off, his tone mocking. “Maybe I’d wake up?” He shook his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment.The doctors came and went, each one checking his vitals, while Adrian grew more impatient with each visit. Finally, as another doctor adjusted his IV, Adrian snapped, “Is this the last of it? Or are there more pointless treatments?”Trying to calm him, I stepped forward. “They’re only making sure you’re okay.”He fixed me with a cold stare. “Do you honestly believe that?”I hesitated. "Are… are you feeling any discomfort in your legs?" I asked, shifting the conversation.His expression stayed flat. “You don’t need to pretend to be nice to me.”“Why not?”“Because,” he replied sharply, “nice people get steamrolled.”I stared at him, shocked by his bitterness. “That’s not true.”“Oh, really?” He arched a brow. “When has being nice ever benefited you?”I
The next morning, I got ready for work, putting on a business-casual outfit and preparing myself for the day ahead. The moment I stepped into the office, however, a strange silence fell over the room—colleagues quickly diverted their gazes, and the typical buzz of chatter ceased. Before I could process what was going on, I heard the sharp click of heels approaching at breakneck speed.“How dare you?” My boss, Ms Harper, shrieked, her face twisted with fury, practically vibrating with anger.“Uh… good morning?” I managed, taken aback by her intensity.“Don’t ‘good morning’ me!” she snapped, folding her arms tightly across her chest. “You think you can just take days off whenever you feel like it?”“Wait, I don’t?” I replied, genuinely confused. “I mean, I did put in a request—”“Absolutely not!” she interrupted. “You have responsibilities here. You don’t just disappear and leave us to cover for you! Do you understand the pressure you’ve put on this team?”“I... I apologize,” I started,
Adrian’s voice broke the silence again, and I blinked, still processing the sudden shift in conversation. “I read some of your work,” he said casually, his gaze flicking over me with a hint of curiosity.I was shocked. “What?” I asked, my mind struggling to make sense of what he just said.He nodded, eyes narrowing slightly. “I had to know what my temporary wife was doing, what kind of person she is.”I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “That’s very uncultured of you,” I said, shaking my head. “If you’re going to criticize me, you should save it.”Adrian raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. “No, I wasn’t criticizing. I think your work is good.” He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. “And you’re also good at being a masseuse.”I blinked at him, confused. “What? A masseuse? How do you even know that?”He leaned back in his wheelchair, the corner of his mouth lifting into a teasing grin. “I can hear. I can feel, too. I could never forget how you used me as a leg
I tried to argue, but Naomi interrupted me, her voice sharp and final. "There's nothing more the doctors can do. They've tried their best," she said coldly, the finality in her words ringing through the sterile hospital room.Anger surged through me, but before I could say anything, Vivian’s gaze dropped to the ground. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and without another word, she hissed under her breath and turned, walking out of the room. Her footsteps echoed down the hallway as she disappeared.The room was eerily quiet once they left, and suddenly, it was just me and my father. I could hear the faint beep of the heart monitor, the only sound left in the room. His eyes were open, but his once vibrant gaze now seemed distant, clouded."Father... don't leave me," I whispered, my voice barely audible. I reached out and held his hand, squeezing it tightly. "You're all I've got left. You promised you’d always be here."He gave a weak groan, and my heart sank. His grip, once so strong,
One week later, it was my father's funeral.The rain poured steadily as I stood there, barely registering the preacher's words. Friends and distant relatives milled around, offering their condolences, but their words blurred, muffled by the ache numbing me to everything around.Just then, I caught sight of Jordan whispering something to Naomi. She leaned into him, letting out an exaggerated sob as she clung to his arm. The display was sickeningly transparent, she was obviously doing that to make me feel jealous, and I clenched my fists, I had to admit, I did feel jealous. But it wasn’t about them. It was about what Naomi had—someone standing by her, even if it was twisted and superficial. Meanwhile, I had...no one. My father was gone, Adrian wanted nothing to do with me, and Vivian had been distant from the start.As if on cue, a family friend approached, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Are you holding up, dear?" she asked kindly, her face full of pity.“Not really,” I admitted
Jordan’s face went pale the moment he saw Adrian. His smug grin vanished, and his arm instinctively loosened around Naomi.Adrian’s voice broke through the murmurs, calm yet commanding. “Is there a problem here?”I couldn’t hold back the excitement in my voice. “Adrian! I… I didn’t know you’d actually make it!”He looked at me with that familiar intensity. “You’re my wife. Of course I’d be here.”I caught the look of utter disbelief on Jordan and Naomi’s faces, and I had to fight the urge to smirk. Adrian’s gaze shifted to them, his expression hardening.“No one bullies my wife,” he said, his tone dripping with warning. He glanced at Jordan and gave a slight, knowing smile. “Or have you already forgotten what happened last time you tried to disrespect me?”Jordan visibly stiffened, his face losing any last hint of bravado. He gave a quick, fearful nod, then grabbed Naomi’s arm, yanking her away without another word.Once they were gone, I turned to Adrian. “Thanks… but I had it under c
As we pulled up to the Knight estate, the entrance glowed warmly in the evening light. Adrian’s driver helped him back into his wheelchair, and I followed closely as we headed inside. Once we entered, a maid greeted us and led us to the dining room, where an impressive spread awaited us—dishes beautifully arranged on delicate plates. My stomach grumbled at the sight.We took our seats, and my eyes immediately landed on a bowl of risotto. “Oh my gosh, risotto! That’s my favorite!”Adrian gave me a soft smile. “I know.”I looked at him, stunned. “Wait—how did you know that?”He glanced away, as if it were no big deal. “I might have done a little digging. You’ve had a rough day, and I thought something familiar might cheer you up a bit.”The gesture was unexpected, and a warmth crept up my cheeks. “Thank you,” I murmured, genuinely touched.As we ate, Adrian mentioned, “Oh, by the way, I’ll be resuming work tomorrow.”“That’s great!” I said, smiling.“Yeah, finally getting back into the