Oops I Am My Bully's Bride

Chapter 14

The bedroom door opened without a knock. Adrian’s great-aunt stepped inside, her expression already set in the firm lines she used when she expected to be obeyed. Vivian straightened slightly but did not move away from his side.

“Adrian,” the older woman said, “you’re coming with me. We’re going into the city for baby clothes. The nursery still has nothing proper and the child will be here any day now.”

Adrian kept his eyes on Marceline. “Not now.”

“Yes, now.” His aunt crossed the room and took hold of his arm with surprising strength. “The baby is the priority. Whatever this is can wait. I’ve already had the car brought around and the shop is holding the private room for us.”

He pulled his arm free. “Send one of the staff. Or go yourself. I’m busy.”

“Staff don’t choose the clothes for a Cross heir,” she replied, voice sharpening. “You do. On your feet. I won’t ask a third time.”

Adrian stood only because her grip and the look on her face made it clear she would remain in the doorway until he moved. He glanced once more at Marceline....still standing at the foot of the bed, the red mark clear on her cheek....then followed his aunt out of the room. Victoria stayed behind without a word.

Downstairs the front doors stood open to the late afternoon light. His aunt continued speaking as they crossed the foyer, listing soft fabrics, the correct sizes for a newborn, the particular shade of blue she preferred for the first outfits. Adrian answered in short phrases that grew shorter with every step.

“I already said I’m not interested in shopping today.”

“And I already said the child comes first. Your father never neglected these things. Neither will you.”

He stopped near the tall windows that looked over the front drive. “Go without me. I’ll sign whatever invoices arrive later.”

His aunt studied his face for a moment, then exhaled through her nose. “Fine. Be difficult. But the car stays ready in case you change your mind.” She stepped outside to speak with the driver, leaving him alone in the wide hallway.

Adrian turned toward the glass without real purpose. His reflection looked back at him for a second before his focus shifted beyond it.

Marceline was already outside.

She walked alone along the gravel path that led to the main gate. One hand pressed firmly to the small of her back. The other rested under the heavy curve of her stomach, supporting some of the weight. Her steps were slow and measured. Every few meters she paused, shifted her balance, then continued. The distance to the gate still looked long.

He watched her for a full minute. The rational part of his mind told him it was none of his concern. She had left the house on her own feet. She could manage the path or she could turn around and come back. He stayed where he was, hands pushed into his pockets, shoulders set against the window frame.

Her foot caught on an uneven stone.

The stumble was small at first...just a brief loss of balance. Then her upper body pitched forward. Both hands left her stomach and flew outward, searching for something that was not there. For a fraction of a second it seemed certain she would hit the gravel hard.

Adrian’s body moved before the rest of him agreed.

He shoved the window open wider. One leg swung over the sill. He dropped the short distance to the grass below. The landing jarred through his knees and up into his spine. He did not stop to recover. He ran.

Gravel scattered under his shoes. The space between them closed in hard, pounding strides. His heart slammed against his ribs with enough force that he felt it in his throat and the tips of his fingers. Every reason he had listed for staying at the window fell away under the single need to reach her before she fell.

He got there just as she managed a shaky half-step that kept her upright. His hands were already outstretched, ready to catch her if the next movement failed.

Marceline’s head lifted.

Their eyes met.

A gunshot cracked through the air.

BANG!