Chapter 25
Chapter 25
I crossed the room and wrapped my arms around Dad, burying my face in his shoulder like I used to do as a little girl. “I’m so sorry, Dad.”
“Baby girl, what’s wrong? Talk to me.” His hand stroked my hair, concern thick in his voice.
I pulled back and wiped my eyes, then settled onto the couch across from him. Adrian sat beside me, his presence solid and reassuring despite all the questions swirling in my head about who he really
was.
“It’s about Primo.” My voice cracked. “The wedding, the merger – it was all a lie. He’s been sleeping with Yesha this whole time.”
Dad’s face darkened. “Yesha Foster?”
I nodded, twisting my hands in my lap. “I found out they’ve been together for months. The marriage was just a business.
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move to him, a way to merge our families‘ interests. He never…” My throat tightened. “He never really loved me.”
“That son of a bitch.” Dad’s knuckles went white where they gripped the arms of his chair. “I trusted him. I welcomed him into our home, treated him like family.”
“I know.” The tears I’d been holding back finally spilled over. “I was so stupid. I should have seen it sooner.”
“It’s fine, sweetheart. We’ll cancel the wedding right away.” Dad leaned forward, his expression softening with concern.
I shook my head, fresh tears spilling. “That’s the problem, Dad. We can’t.”
“What do you mean we can’t?”
“If I cancelled the wedding or exposed hist true intentions…” My voice dropped to barely a whisper. “Primo made it clear he’d kill our entire family.”
Dad’s jaw clenched, but understanding
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flickered across his face. He reached across and took my hand in his weathered one. “Listen to me, baby girl. Just because that bastard threatened us doesn’t mean you should have agreed to his terms. We’re Mitchells. We put pride and dignity above all else.”
“But Dad-”
“If we had to fight, then we would have fought.” His grip tightened on my hand. “Together. As a family. That’s what we do.”
A tear rolled down my cheek as I managed a small smile. The familiar strength in his voice reminded me of everything our family stood for everything I’d tried to protect by giving in to Primo’s demands. But maybe Dad was right. Maybe I should have trusted in our family’s strength instead of trying to shoulder this burden.
“So that’s why you didn’t tell me anything.” Dad’s eyes softened with understanding. His gaze shifted to Adrian, focusing on his split lip and the darkening bruise on his
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jaw. “What happened to you, son?”
I squeezed Adrian’s hand. “Primo attacked him at Le Rouge. He was aggressive…”
“He made some unsavory comments about Asteria,” Adrian’s voice remained steady. “When I stepped in, he threw the first punch. I defended myself.”
“More like knocked him flat,” I couldn’t keep the satisfaction from my voice. “Primo. wasn’t expecting Adrian to be able to fight like that.”
Dad nodded slowly, his expression a mix of concern and approval.
“Adrian.” Dad’s voice grew serious. “You’ve helped our family again. Thank you.”
Adrian just nodded, his face giving away nothing.
I took a deep breath, knowing I needed to come clean about everything. “Dad, there’s something else. About how I really met
Adrian…”
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Dad’s eyebrows lifted, waiting.
“Remember when I told you he was an old friend? That wasn’t true.” I glanced at Adrian, who gave me an encouraging nod. “I actually met him the night of the first merger meeting. The same night I discovered Primo’s betrayal with Yesha.”
“Go on.” Dad’s voice remained neutral.
“After I left the meeting, I ended up at that new club downtown. Primo and Yesha were together with me.” My fingers twisted in my lap. “I was in a bad place, drinking more than I should have. Adrian stepped in when things got messy when I confronted Primo about his betrayal.”
“He protected you?” Dad’s gaze shifted to Adrian, reassessing him.
“Yes. He had no reason to help a stranger, but he did.” I met Dad’s eyes. “I’m sorry I lied about knowing him before. I just… I didn’t want you to worry.”
Dad leaned back in his chair, silent for a
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long moment. Then a small smile crossed his face. “Sometimes the best allies come from unexpected places.” He looked at Adrian. “The fact that you helped my daughter without knowing who she was… that says more about your character than any long–standing friendship could.”
Relief flooded through me. “You’re not mad?”
“Mad?” Dad shook his head. “Asteria, you found someone willing to stand against Primo Chromos to protect you. Someone who didn’t care about family names or power plays.” He reached across and patted my hand. “If anything, it makes me trust him more.”
I turned to Adrian, my heart pounding. “Now that we’re being honest… I think it’s time you tell us who you really are.” My fingers twisted in my lap. “Because I’m pretty sure you’re not just some art dealer.”
Adrian’s face remained impassive, his gray eyes unreadable. The silence stretched
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between us, thick with unspoken truths.
He didn’t move, didn’t speak. Just watched me with that careful stillness I’d come to
recognize when he was weighing his options.
Finally, he broke the silence – but not with an answer. “Why didn’t you take Primo’s deal?” His voice was soft, measured. “You could have saved your family by giving me up. It would have been the logical choice.”
I met his gaze, letting him see the truth in my eyes. “Because I couldn’t bear to lose the one man who might actually have a chance of stealing my heart.”
The words hung in the air between us. I watched something flicker across his face. For once, his careful mask slipped just slightly, revealing a glimpse of genuine emotion underneath.
Dad cleared his throat, reminding us we weren’t alone, but I kept my eyes locked on Adrian’s. The question still stood between
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us, unanswered.
Who was he really?