Chapter 4

• 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.