Third party Pov
Gabriella stands outside Adrian's door, her knuckles knocking against the door with increasing force. "Adrian!" she calls out, her voice a mixture of frustration and desperation. "Adrian, I know you're in there!"
Silence greets her, fueling her anger. She presses her ear against the door, straining to hear any sound from within. Nothing. The lack of response only confirms her suspicions - he must be in there with Stella.
Her perfectly manicured nails dig into her palms as she clenches her fists. How dare he ignore her? She, Gabriella, the mother of his unborn child, the woman who had stood by him through thick and thin. And for what? For some nobody like Stella?
The thought of Stella makes her blood boil. That little homewrecker, trying to steal away what rightfully belongs to Gabriella. She had worked too damn hard to let this happen.
Years of carefully orchestrating her relationship with Adrian, cultivating her image as the perfec
Stella PovI wake up, my hand instinctively reaching out to the other side of the bed. Empty. Again.Disappointment washes over me as I sit up. Does Adrian have some kind of aversion to waking up next to me? It's starting to feel that way.Annoyed, I drag myself out of bed and get ready for the day. I was feeling less stress than yesterday, but I was still depressed about my best friend still missing.I was about to go and see Adrian, when I open the door and made my way to Adrian's room seeing no one inside, confused I decided to head downstairs but was harshly pulled into a room.Not just any room.Gabriella's room."Good morning to you too," I say sarcastically, not bothering to hide my irritation.Gabriella's eyes narrow. "I will warn you for the last time, leave my man alone," she spits out, her voice dripping with venom.I feel my temper rising. After everything that's happened, now I have to deal with this? After
I'm standing in the foyer with my suitcase, ready to leave. I've been trying to call Adrian non-stop since Gabriella lied about me pushing her, but he hasn't answered.Adrian's parents and Gabriella are watching me. I can see the look of victory on Gabriella's face. It makes my stomach churn.As I start to walk out, the guards stop me. "You cannot leave here," one of them said.Mark, Adrian's father, steps forward, his face stern. "Under my orders, she needs to leave immediately."The security guard looks uncomfortable but stands his ground. "I'm sorry, sir, but we have strict orders from Mr. Lockwood himself. Miss Winslow is not to leave this house under any circumstances."
I'm pacing back and forth in my room, my mind racing over everything that just happened. I can't believe Adrian stood up for me like that.Suddenly, the wall opens up and Adrian wheels himself in. Without thinking, I run to him and throw my arms around him, hugging him tight. It feels like I'm holding onto a lifeline."Adrian, I-" I start to say, ready to explain everything.But Adrian interrupts me. "I believe you," he says softly. "I know you didn't push her."His words make me feel warm all over. He believes me! I pull back a little to look at his face, searching his gorgeous silver eyes."Really?" I ask, hardly daring to hope.Adrian nods. "Really. I know you wouldn't do something like that, Stella."I feel tears pricking at my eyes, but I blink them away. "Thank you," I whisper. "I was so scared you'd believe her over me."Adrian takes my hand in his. "I trust you."Hearing his words had my heart fluttering with joy a
Gabriella's povI storm into Sebastian's room, not bothering to knock. I'm so angry I can barely see straight."How dare you!" I yell at him. "How dare you side with that whore over me!"Sebastian just sits there, looking annoyingly calm. It makes me want to throw something at him."You know Stella never pushed you, Gabriella," he says, like he's talking to a child."You don't know anything!" I snap back. "You weren't even fucking there!"I can't believe this. Sebastian, of all people, should be on my side. After everything we've been through, after everything we've done...
I pace back and forth in my room, feeling trapped. I know I can't stay cooped up all day, but the thought of going downstairs makes my stomach churn. Adrian's busy down there, and while I long to see him, I dread running into his parents or Gabriella after how they behaved yesterday.But I need to know if there's any news about Lyra. My best friend is still missing, and I can't just sit here doing nothing. I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I won't let them intimidate me," I mutter, squaring my shoulders.Mustering all my courage, I step out of the room and head downstairs. Each step feels like a small act of defiance against those who want me gone.As I reach the bottom of the stairs, my eyes widen in shock. The entire place is buzzing with activity, being transfor
I stand at the top of the staircase, my heart pounding. The ball has been in full swing for an hour, but I've been too nervous to make my entrance. Taking a deep breath, I smooth down my dress and step into view.The gown Adrian gave me is breathtaking - an off-the-shoulder shimmering red number that hugs my curves before flowing out gracefully. The fabric catches the light with every movement, creating a mesmerizing effect.My hair is swept up in an elegant updo, with a few loose tendrils framing my face. The stylist Adrian sent did an amazing job with my makeup - smoky eyes that make my gaze smolder, a hint of blush on my cheeks, and deep red lips that match my dress perfectly.I take my first step down the stairs; the room falls silent. I can feel every eye turn to st
When we finally part, both of us breathing heavily, I can see the mix of love and mischief in Adrian's eyes. "I've been wanting to do that all night," he murmurs, his forehead resting against mine.I can't help but laugh softly, a mix of exhilaration and nervousness. "Adrian, you're crazy. What if someone had seen?""Let them, the sight of how stunning you look could raise even the fucking dead," he says with a wicked grin.With this, Adrian lifts me, making my back hit a nearby tree as he hoists my dress up, peppering kisses on my neck that make me moan. His hands are firm and possessive, holding me close as he trails his lips down my throat, each kiss igniting a fire within me.My hands move quickly, unbuckling hi
I'm standing next to Adrian, who's sitting in his wheelchair. We're outside a hospital room. The doctor has just told us we can go in, and I'm nervous about what I'll see.I lift my dress a little so I don't trip and hurry into the room. What I see makes me stop in my tracks.There, lying in the hospital bed, is my best friend. She's so still, hooked up to all these machines. The doctor said she's in a coma, but seeing her like this makes it real.I feel tears start to run down my cheeks. I can't believe this is happening."Oh no," I whisper, moving closer to the bed. "What happened to you?"I reach out and take her hand. It's warm, but she doesn't squeeze back
Stella's Pov.I paced nervously outside the hospital room, my hands fidgeting with the hem of my jacket as the sounds of Gabriella’s labor echoed through the closed door. Adrian had gone in, of course. She’d asked for him to be there, to hold her hand while she brought their baby into the world. I bit the inside of my cheek, my mind racing. Gabriella had to have planned this. There’s no way she didn’t—having the baby now, just before Adrian and I were supposed to leave for the trip. She was always doing something to keep us apart.Such a bitch.I tried to shake off the thought, but it lingered, settling in like a bitter taste I couldn’t get rid of. I wanted to hate her for it. But more than anything, I hated how powerless I felt standing out here, waiting. Adrian’s going to be a father.A father.Pride swelled in my chest. I was happy for him&mdash
Sebastian's pov.I sat inside the room, checking my watch for the hundredth time. Any minute now, he'd arrive. Adrian's time had finally run out, and the Lockwood empire was about to change hands.A smirk played on my lips as I thought about Adrian, off on his business trip with Stella. How convenient. When he returns, he'll walk right into the shock of his life. Everything he thinks he owns will now be mine.My mind wandered to Gabriella, heavily pregnant with what Adrian believes is his child. Oh, brother, if only you knew. Soon, she'll be handing that baby over to me instead.I've always been jealous of my big brother, something that I'd never like to admit. How he'd always manage to be the favorite. Outperform m
I'm nestled comfortably in bed, propped up against a mountain of pillows, with Adrian's strong arm wrapped around me. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and pastries fills the air, mingling with Adrian's cologne."Open up," Adrian says softly, holding a forkful of fluffy scrambled eggs to my lips. I oblige, savoring the taste and the intimacy of the moment.It's been four days since we arrived for this "business trip," though we've spent more time in this room than anywhere else. I can't help but smile, thinking about how attentive and loving Adrian has been. It's almost easy to forget the complications waiting for us back home."What's that smile for?" Adrian asks, his eyes twinkling with amusement.I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. "Just thinking about how perfect this is. How perfect you've been."Adrian kisses the top of my head. "You deserve to be pampered, my love. The three of you do," he adds, his free hand gently caressing my swollen belly.As if on cue, I fee
Gabriella's povI pace the length of my room, fury coursing through my veins. How dare he? How dare Adrian go on a two-week business trip with that homewrecker Stella while I'm seven months pregnant with his child? Our child. The audacity of it all makes me want to scream.My hand absently rubs my swollen belly as I try to calm myself. This stress can't be good for the baby, but I can't help it. Things cannot go on like this. I need to do something, and fast."Damn you, Sebastian," I mutter under my breath. His incompetence is infuriating. Instead of getting rid of Stella like he was supposed to, all he managed to do was come up with some half-baked scheme about a fake father.Useless. I should have known better tha
Stella's povI stir awake, my eyes fluttering open to the soft afternoon light filtering through the curtains. The first thing I see is Adrian's face, his silver eyes watching me with a tender expression that makes my heart skip a beat."Good afternoon, sleeping beauty," he murmurs, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face.I smile, nestling closer to him. "How long have you been awake?""Long enough to count every freckle on your nose," he teases, leaning in to place a soft kiss on the tip of my nose.I giggle, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer. Our lips meet in a gentle, lingering kiss that sends warmth spreading through my en
I watch Stella sleeping peacefully in my lap, I'm struck by a pang of guilt. I've been neglecting her, allowing Gabriella's manipulative tactics to come between us.When Stella uttered those horrifying words - that our relationship was over - it was like a bucket of cold water to the face. I knew then that I couldn't let her walk out of my life. Not without a fight. This trip to Italy is my chance to make things right.Two weeks to spoil her, to give her my undivided attention, to remind her how much she means to me. As we approach the airport, I gently wake her."We're here, baby girl," I murmur, brushing a strand of hair from her face.Her eyes flutter open, confusion giving way to excitement as she remembers where we're going. I settle into my wheelchair as we board my private jet, unable to take my eyes off her as she marvels at the luxurious interior."Wait," she stops before staring at me wide eye. "What about Lyra, what if they try to harm her while we're away?" She asks."Ther
Gabriella's face cycles through a range of emotions - shock, hurt, anger, and finally, a calculated blankness. Mark and Daisy exchange worried glances, clearly as taken aback as the rest of us.As for me, I'm frozen in place, my mind racing. A two-week trip to Italy? With Adrian? Away from all of this drama? It seems too good to be true.But as I catch Adrian's eye across the room, I see a glimmer of something - determination, perhaps? Or is it a promise of things to come?The shock of Adrian's announcement hangs in the air for a moment before Gabriella snaps out of her stupor. Her voice trembles with a mix of anger and desperation as she turns to Adrian."But I'm seven months pregnant, going on eight months!" she exclaims. "How am I supposed to cope alone?"Before Adrian can respond, Daisy steps forward, her voice calm and reassuring with a smile. "Mark and I will take very good care of you, Gabriella. You don't need to worry."Gabriella, however, isn't satisfied. Her next words make
As we pull up to the mansion, I can't help but blush, thinking about what transpired in that hospital room. The thrill of our encounter still lingers, but a part of me can't believe we actually did that.Adrian squeezes my hand reassuringly as we enter the foyer, but the moment is quickly shattered. Gabriella appears, practically launching herself at Adrian. She plants a kiss on his cheek, and I have to fight the urge to pull her away.But Gabriella's overzealous greeting isn't what catches my attention. The entire place is decorated lavishly - flowers, ribbons, and what looks like the setup for an elaborate celebration. In the background, I spot Mark and Daisy, their postures tense and uncomfortable.A sense of dread washes over me. What is this witch up to now?Gabriella turns to Adrian, her voice sickly sweet. "Your bed was so cold without you next to me this morning, darling and I've been calling you all day, where have you been baby?""I've been busy with work," Adrian lies.I gr
Adrian's eyes darken with intensity as he pulls me closer, his hands roaming over my back, sending shivers down my spine. The heat radiating off his body is almost evident.He leans in, his lips brushing against my neck, planting soft, lingering kisses that make my breath hitch. My hands find their way under his shirt, feeling the taut muscles of his abdomen. I push the fabric up, needing to feel more of his skin against mine.Adrian quickly discards his shirt, and I take a moment to admire the sight before me. He’s beautiful, every inch of him. His eyes never leave mine as he reaches for the buttons of my blouse, his fingers deft and sure. The fabric falls away, and his hands are on me again, caressing, exploring.“God, I’ve missed this,” he growls against my ear, his voice rough with desire. He cups my breast, his thumb brushing over my nipple through the thin lace of my bra, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core.I moan softly, arching into his touch. “Adrian...”His mouth