Three months later......
I woke to the warmth of Adrian's body next to mine, a feeling I'd grown wonderfully accustomed to over the past three months. As my eyes fluttered open, I was greeted by his tender smile.
"Good morning, beautiful," he whispered, leaning in for a sweet kiss.
I returned the kiss, savoring the moment. "Good morning, handsome."
Adrian's hand gently caressed my swollen belly, now four months along. He shifted down the bed, his face level with my stomach.
"And good morning to you too, little one," he murmured, his voice full of love and wonder. "Today's a big day. We might find out if you're a boy or a girl."
The world seemed to stop. I felt the mug slip from my fingers, Daisy catching it just in time. My father? I looked at Daisy, seeing my own shock mirrored in her face.My father? I'd spent my entire life in an orphanage with Lyra, never knowing anything about my family."I... I don't understand," I stammered, looking from Anthony to Daisy and back again. "I grew up in an orphanage. I don't have any family."Anthony's expression crumpled slightly. "I know, and I'm so sorry for that. It's a long and complicated story, but I've been searching for you for years. I'd like to explain everything, if you're willing to listen."I sat there, frozen, a whirlwind of emotions running through me. All my life, I'd wondered about my
Adrian's grip on my hips tightens as the water continues to cascade over us. His voice, harsh and commanding, cuts through the steamy air. "You will not see your father again, Stella. Do you understand me?"Defiance rises within me. I refuse to be controlled like this. "You can't tell me what to do, Adrian," I snap, turning my head to glare at him over my shoulder.His eyes darken with a dangerous glint. "Is that so?" he murmurs, his tone icy. "It seems I need to teach you a lesson about obedience."Before I can react, he spins me around to face him, pressing me against the cool, tiled wall. His hands are firm on my wrists, pinning them above my head. The contrast of the hot water and the cold tiles sends a shiver down my spine."Adrian," I begin, but he cuts me off with a bruising kiss, his lips demanding and relentless. When he pulls back, his eyes bore into mine, filled with a possessive fury."You think you can defy me?" he growls, his voice low and menacing. "I'll make sure you u
As I descend the grand staircase, my cheeks flush warm with the memory of Adrian and me in the shower not long ago. The ghost of his touch lingers on my skin, and I have to take a deep breath to compose myself before entering the dining hall.Sebastian, Mark, Daisy, Gabriella, and Adrian are already seated as I approach the table. Just as I'm about to take my place, Gabriella lets out a sudden gasp."Oh!" she exclaims, her hands flying to her swollen belly. "The baby just kicked!"I watch, my heart sinking, as Adrian's face lights up. He moves quickly to Gabriella's side, placing his hand on her stomach. The smile that spreads across his face as he feels the movement twists something inside me."That's incredible," he murmurs, his eyes soft with wonder.I hate this. I hate seeing him so attentive to her, especially after what we just shared. The intimacy of our moment in the shower feels tainted now, and I struggle to push down the jealousy rising in my throat.Mark and Daisy flock to
It's been two days since I last felt Adrian's touch. Two agonizing days of watching Gabriella monopolize his time with her manipulative lies.Upon exiting the bathroom I step out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, I'm lost in these bitter thoughts. Entering my room, I stop short. Adrian is there, sitting on the edge of my bed, his presence both thrilling and infuriating."Stella," he says, his voice soft. "How are you?"I ignore him, moving to my dresser searching for a suitable panty to put on. The tension in the room is evident."Listen, I wanted to explain about Gabriella—" Adrian begins, but I cut him off."You don't need to explain yourself," I say, my voice flat. "I understand."I can see his reflection in the mirror, watch as he stands and approaches me. His hand reaches out, aiming to touch my shoulder, but I step away."Don't," I say, wrapping my arms around myself. "Please, just don't."The hurt in his eyes is clear, but right now, I can't bring myself to care. The pain of t
As her eyes focus on me, a weak smile tugs at her lips. It's a miracle, a moment of pure joy amidst all the chaos of my life.In that instant, everything else fades away - Adrian, Gabriella, the complicated mess I've found myself in. All that matters is that my friend, against all odds, has come back to me.I rush to call for the doctors, my heart swells with a mix of emotions - relief, happiness, and a renewed sense of hope.The next few hours pass in a blur of activity. Doctors and nurses swarm Lyra's room, conducting tests and checks. I stand back, watching anxiously as they assess her condition.Finally, the lead doctor approaches me with a cautious smile. "She's stable and responding well," he says. "However, it appears she's experiencing some memory loss."My heart sinks. "How much?""About five months' worth," he replies. "It's not uncommon with coma patients. Memory may return gradually, but there's no way to predict exactly when or if all memories will come back."I nod, tryi
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
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
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