Chapter 3

• Chapter 3: Beneath the Ice
• Elena POV
• Adrian whispered, his breath warm on my neck, "Stand still."
• The cold weight of the diamonds suddenly seemed heavier than it should have, and I froze as his hands repositioned the delicate necklace around my collarbone.
• I hurriedly answered, "It's fine," in a tighter voice than I had meant.
• Ignoring me, he pressed his fingers to my flesh and secured the clasp. The sudden proximity made my heart beat. Adrian Blackwood was a guy who didn't linger; he moved with efficiency and purpose. However, his hands lingered for an excessive amount of time before he took a step back.
• He murmured, his voice pinched once again, "Perfect."
• I looked at him, trying to gather myself. His dark hair was brushed back nicely, and his black tuxedo was perfectly fitted, making him seem flawless as always. However, there was a gentler, almost hesitating quality to his look tonight.
• I managed to smooth down the silk of my robe and said, "Thank you."
• His cold mask slipped back into place securely as he bowed his head. "You'll succeed."
• The moment was gone in an instant.
• Like all the previous events we went to, the gala was filled with flashing lights, whispered greetings, and a sea of strangers acting as if they were friends. Adrian performed his role with ease, his charm as polished and piercing as his cufflinks.
• I stood by his side, laughing when he asked me to and smiling when he asked, but in reality, I felt like a mannequin on exhibit. I was still an outsider, an actress in someone else's life, regardless of how beautiful the dress or how costly the jewelry.
• It was quickly brought to my attention by someone.
• A tall, well-groomed lady with a champagne glass in her hand purred, "Adrian." Her gaze passed over me with hardly disguised contempt, then shifted to his. "You married Charity, but you didn't tell me."
• Even though the remarks hurt, I tried to keep my expression neutral.
• Adrian's normal calmness cracked just a little as his jaw tensed. "Claire," he began with a smoothness that gave his voice a sharp edge I had never heard before, "I don't remember asking for your opinion."
• The lady blinked in astonishment as her grin wavered. "Elena is my wife, and you will treat her with respect," Adrian said, placing a steady, strong palm on the small of my back.
• Before she could reply, he pushed us away, holding on to me until we were out of hearing.
• He looked into my eyes and said, "Are you okay?"
• Even though Adrian asked such a simple question, it seemed enormous.
• "Yes," I answered in a voice that was hardly audible.
• He led me back into the throng after nodding, his face inscrutable.
• Long after we got home, we couldn't shake the recollection of his defense. I mentally relived the scene, attempting to interpret the change in his attitude. Despite being a guy who prized control above all else, Adrian Blackwood had allowed his emotions to get the better of him in that particular situation.
• Was it real worry? Or simply another well-thought-out attempt to preserve the appearance of a flawless marriage?
• I discovered him at the library the next morning, holding a newspaper in one hand and a hot cup of coffee in the other. As I walked in, he glanced up, and his face was devoid of any hint of irritation for once.
• To my surprise, he said, "Good morning."
• I lingered in the doorway and carefully answered, "Good morning."
• He pointed to the chair on the other side. "Come with me."
• Uncertain of what to think of his unexpected kindness, I paused before seating.
• I felt my skin tingle as he put the newspaper down and leaned back to examine me. "You did a good job managing yourself last night."
• I responded, "Thank you," not knowing how to react.
• "I mean it," he said in an unusually sincere tone. Claire is a lady who feeds on making others feel insignificant. You prevented her.
• I acknowledged that I owed it to you.
• The ice seemed to thaw for a minute as his lips curled into the tiniest hint of a grin.
• But the warmth was gone as fast as it had arrived. Adrian stood up straight, his face stiffening again. Tomorrow, we have another event. Prepare by seven o’clock.
• He then got up and walked out of the room, leaving me even more perplexed.
• As the days went by, I started to see more rifts in Adrian's hard façade. Small gestures like softly saying my name when he thought no one was listening, adjusting my chair at a dinner party so I wouldn't strain under the long train of my dress, and silently holding the elevator door open for me.
• These brief displays of compassion from a guy who generally looked emotionless were disarming.
• Nevertheless, I couldn't get rid of the impression that everything was a well-planned front.
• Late one night, the genuine twist was revealed.
• I heard footsteps coming from where I was sitting in the library, reading a book. When I looked up, I saw Adrian standing in the doorway with his normally impeccable looks a little disheveled and his tie untied.
• "Elena," he said softly.
• I put the book down because of something in his tone. "Is everything okay?"
• He looked away and didn't answer right away. Then he sighed and moved across the room to sit in the chair across from me.
• "Have you ever felt stuck?" he said abruptly.
• It was a surprise question. Did Adrian Blackwood, the affluent guy, feel stuck?
• "Sometimes," I cautiously acknowledged. "Why?"
• I was temporarily stunned by the unusually vulnerable gesture he made as he ran a hand through his hair.
• "This life isn't as perfect as it seems," he said softly.
• The troubled expression in his eyes prevented me from pressing him to explain what he meant.
• Rather, I remarked, "You know, you could go. Get out of here.
• He laughed bitterly. "It's not that easy."
• Between us, there was a hush that was thick with spoken realities.
• His phone rang just when I thought he could open up even more. His face darkened as he looked at the screen.
• He stood up suddenly and said, "I have to go."
• "Adrian—"
• He responded curtly, "Goodnight, Elena," and started to go.
• Something about his actions bothered me, even though I didn't see him again for the remainder of the evening. Adrian Blackwood was not who he seemed to be, and I was determined to find out what it was.
• The next day, I went to his office because of that resolve.
• I knew I shouldn't have been there while he was out, but my curiosity won out. Aside from one closed drawer, his desk was spotless.
• I gazed at it, my heart pounding. I knew it was in there, whatever Adrian was concealing.
• I started looking around the room for the key before I could stop myself.
• Then I discovered it on his shelf, hidden inside a book.
• I opened the drawer and yanked it open with shaking hands. A tiny, unmarked black packet and a stack of paperwork were found inside.
• The consequences of my actions weighed heavily on me as I paused, but I was unable to halt at this point.
• As I opened the envelope and read the words s
• cribbled on the sheet, I gasped.
• Then everything made sense.
• Adrian had more than one secret to conceal. I was being concealed by him.