Chapter 4: A Secret Discovered
ELENA POV
As the gala unfurled around us, the chandelier above me glistened like a constellation, refracting light in a thousand different ways. The pleasant murmur of a string quartet, clinking glasses, and laughing filled the room.
Always the calm mystic, Adrian stood next to me with a gentle hand on my back. His confidence was so easy that he was conversing with an investing giant.
The room had started to tilt slightly, but I should have been listening and nodding along at the appropriate times. My eyesight became blurry, and I started to perspire coldly.
"Elena?" Even though Adrian's fingers tightened around my waist, his words seemed faraway. "How are you doing?"
I started to reply, but my words would not come.
His worried, piercing face was the last thing I saw before everything became dark.
My head was throbbing and I felt heavier than normal as I woke up to the faint sound of voices. The air smelled like leather and cleanliness, and as my eyes opened, I saw that I was reclining on a soft sofa in a private lounge.
A steady, authoritative voice said, "She needs rest."
"Sleep?" Adrian's voice was piercing and commanding. "Is that all? What became of her?
The doctor was crouching next to me when his face appeared. He was an elderly guy with a comforting manner and kind eyes. You fainted, Mrs. Blackwood. Have you recently been feeling ill?
I tried to sit up and mumbled, "I—I don't know." Adrian was by my side in an instant, supporting me with his hands.
After looking at Adrian, the doctor turned back to face me. In order to rule out anything dangerous, we performed a few tests. I have the findings.
His solemn tone made my stomach turn. "What am I doing wrong?"
After hesitating, the doctor gave a kind grin. "Well done, Mrs. Blackwood. You are expecting a child.
The breath rushed out of my lungs.
Adrian tensed up next to me and withdrew his hand as if I had scorched him.
"Are you expecting?" It was little more than a murmur.
"Yes," the physician said. around six weeks pregnant. Everything seems to be in good health, but I advise getting a complete exam soon.
I was unable to talk. A thousand contradictory ideas, none of which made sense, rushed through my head.
Sensing the tension, the doctor stood. "You two may have some solitude from me. Kindly give us a call if you need anything.
There was a deafening hush as he walked out, shutting the door behind him.
It was broken first by Adrian.
"You've known for how long?" He spoke in a frigid, quiet voice.
I hurriedly answered, "I didn't," while my heart pounded.
His gaze pierced me, seeking the truth. Elena, the agreement was unambiguous. No issues. No complications.
With my voice shaking, I fired back, "I didn't plan this." "Do you believe I intended for this to occur?"
He paced the room like an animal in a cage, running a hand through his hair. "Everything is changed by this."
My legs trembled as I stood, but my determination solidified. "I understand. I'm leaving for that reason.
His eyes narrowed as his head swung toward me. "Going?"
"Yes," I responded, now speaking more firmly. "Adrian, this wasn't included in the agreement. I won't bring a kid into this scenario, and you don't want one.
He just gazed at me for a minute, his face inscrutable. Then, to my surprise, he made a hollow, bitter chuckle.
"You believe you can simply leave?" His voice had a hint of threat as he spoke.
I stepped back and said, "I don't have a choice."
"You always have a choice," he shot back, his tone suddenly becoming softer. But nothing will be resolved by fleeing. Are you sure you can raise this kid by yourself?
I didn't want to acknowledge the depth of his statements. In all honesty, I had no idea how I would handle it. He had tethered me to my financial independence, and without it, I had nothing.
I obstinately responded, "I'll figure it out," but my voice lacked conviction.
Adrian's eyes became softer, and I saw something like to vulnerability for the first time. "Elena, you are not alone in this."
I was disarmed by the change in his manner. This wasn't the icy, shrewd businessman I had come to know. This was a whole different person.
However, the vulnerability disappeared as fast as it had arrived. His gaze stiffened as his mask slid back into place.
"Please give me some time," he replied suddenly.
"What is the time for?"
"To solve this."
The days that followed went by in a blur. Adrian stayed away from me and threw himself into his job with a passion I had never seen. In contrast, I was left to face my own worries alone.
One evening, I was in the kitchen, looking at a glass of water with blank eyes. I had no solutions to the questions and worries that were racing through my head.
"Elena."
I almost dropped the glass as I leaped. With his sleeves pulled up and his tie undone, Adrian stood at the doorway. He seems... worn out.
He moved closer and said, "We need to talk."
I crossed my arms and put down the glass. "I'm paying attention."
His jaw tensed as he paused. "I have plans in place. You will have whatever you need, including money, shelter, and security, if you decide to leave.
I gasped. "And if I remain?"
His steady, uncompromising gaze met mine. "After that, we figure out how to make this work."
His comments caused my heart to wrench. Despite his shortcomings, Adrian was not the kind to shirk his duties. Was it sufficient, though?
"How about the agreement?" Quietly, I asked.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he let out a sigh. "Ellen, forget about the fucking contract. This is more significant than that.
I briefly gave myself permission to think that things would be different and that Adrian's barriers might finally be broken.
The twist, however, came next.
The next day, while I was absently leafing through a book at the library, I was startled by a voice.
"Mrs. Blackwood?"
A guy was standing at the doorway as I turned around. He had graying hair, was older, and exuded power in his manner.
"Yes?"
His face gloomy, he took a step forward. I apologize for interrupting, but I felt you needed to be aware. Regarding the kid, Mr. Blackwood has been in communication with someone.
My blood froze. "What are you discussing?"
He paused, looking around as if he was worried about being heard. "Arrangements are being made. Plans to... fix the problem.
The remarks were like a kick to the stomach. "Agree?"
His voice was low as he replied, "I felt you deserved to know."
I was having trouble breathing. Every possibility that crossed my mind was more terrifying than the one before it. Would Adrian take the kid away from me? Was he—
"Elena?"
I turned when I heard Adrian's voice coming from the hallway. The man's visage darkened as he froze upon seeing him.
"What's happening here?" He made a demand.
Between them, my pulse thumping, I glanced. "Adrian, tell me."
His eyes darted to the guy and back to me, and he remained silent for a time. And I knew in that quiet.
Something he was concealing had the power to alter everything.