Chapter fifteen: The Promise
962 Words
Adrian Cross had faced enemies who wanted to destroy his company.
He had faced people who wanted his money.
He had faced powerful men who thought they could break him.
But nothing had ever terrified him like seeing Isabella’s name connected to Clara’s tragedy.
The message remained on the table.
The woman you loved died because of your promise.
Now the girl you love will suffer because of it.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
The entire mansion felt frozen.
Isabella looked at Adrian.
She had expected anger.
She had expected him to become the cold billionaire everyone feared.
Instead, she saw something else.
Fear.
Real fear.
“Adrian…”
He quickly picked up the necklace and closed the box.
“Go upstairs.”
Isabella frowned.
“What?”
“Go upstairs, lock your door, and don’t open it for anyone.”
Her expression changed.
“There you go again.”
His eyes met hers.
“Isabella—”
“You’re trying to push me away.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
She stepped closer.
“You’re scared, and your answer is always the same. You think if you keep me away, nothing bad can happen.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Because people around me get hurt.”
“And what about me?”
The question silenced him.
Isabella’s voice softened.
“Do you really think being kept in the dark makes me safer?”
He had no answer.
Because deep down, he knew she was right.
---
Hours later, Adrian sat alone in his office.
The necklace lay on his desk.
Clara’s necklace.
The one he had buried with her memories.
Someone had taken it.
Someone had entered his home.
Someone wanted him to suffer.
Marcus stood nearby.
“We increased security around the mansion.”
Adrian nodded.
“Find Clara’s brother.”
“We’re trying.”
“No.”
His voice was firm.
“I need answers.”
Marcus studied him.
“You’re not only worried about the investigation.”
Adrian looked away.
“You’re worried about Isabella.”
Silence.
Then Adrian finally admitted what he had been trying to deny.
“Yes.”
Marcus sighed.
“Then stop pretending she means nothing.”
Adrian looked at him sharply.
“Be careful.”
“I’m just saying what everyone can see.”
Adrian stood.
“She is not a weakness.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
“No?”
Adrian looked toward the hallway where Isabella’s room was.
“She is the reason I still remember I’m human.”
---
The next morning, Isabella found Adrian in the dining room.
For once, he was not surrounded by business calls or documents.
He was simply sitting there.
Waiting.
“I need to tell you something,” he said.
Isabella sat across from him.
“I’m listening.”
Adrian took a breath.
A rare moment of hesitation from a man who was always in control.
“When I met you, I thought you were just someone who needed a place to stay.”
Isabella said nothing.
“But then you started challenging me.”
A small smile appeared.
“You were annoying.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Annoying?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad I could entertain you.”
For a moment, the tension disappeared.
Then Adrian became serious again.
“You reminded me of something I lost.”
“Clara?”
He nodded.
“But not because you’re like her.”
Isabella looked at him carefully.
“You’re different.”
“Then why do I remind you of her?”
“Because she believed there was still good in me.”
His voice lowered.
“And somehow, you believe the same thing.”
Isabella felt her heart tighten.
“Adrian…”
He looked at her.
“I made a promise a long time ago.”
“To Clara?”
“No.”
His eyes held hers.
“To myself.”
He reached across the table but stopped before touching her hand.
“That I would never let someone I care about get hurt because of me again.”
Isabella whispered,
“And now?”
“Now I’m making a different promise.”
The room became completely quiet.
“What promise?”
Adrian’s voice was steady.
“No matter what happens, no matter who comes after you, no matter what it costs me…”
He paused.
“I will protect you.”
Isabella looked at him.
Not because he was a billionaire.
Not because he had power.
But because she could hear the truth in his voice.
“You don’t have to protect me from everything.”
Adrian frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t want to be someone you hide away.”
She placed her hand over his.
“I want to stand beside you.”
For a moment, Adrian didn’t move.
Because nobody had ever offered him that.
Not loyalty because of his wealth.
Not respect because of his name.
Just partnership.
Just love.
But before he could answer, his phone rang.
The moment he answered, his expression changed.
“What?”
A pause.
“Are you sure?”
He stood immediately.
“Where is she?”
Isabella’s heart dropped.
“Who?”
Adrian ended the call.
His face had gone pale.
“Adrian?”
He looked at her.
“It’s Clara’s brother.”
“What about him?”
“He wants to meet.”
“That’s good, isn’t it?”
Adrian shook his head.
“No.”
“Why?”
His voice became quiet.
“Because he didn’t ask to meet me.”
A pause.
“He asked to meet you.”
The fear returned to his eyes.
And Isabella realized the truth.
The enemy was no longer hiding.
They had chosen their target.
Her.
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