Chapter 13—The Lurking Danger
2133 Words
Daniel Lewis had never accepted the life he had created.
His family had never accepted it either.
They had been furious when they learned that Elena Cole was pregnant.
To them, Daniel had humiliated the family. Elena wasn't the woman they had expected him to marry, and the pregnancy had become an embarrassment they believed Adriana's presence had only made worse.
Then came the divorce.
Daniel's family blamed him for destroying his marriage.
His friends whispered behind his back.
Some openly questioned why he had thrown away a respectable marriage for Elena.
Others reminded him that Adriana had been loyal to him while he had been the one who betrayed her.
Daniel couldn't stand hearing it.
So he created his own version of the story.
Adriana had pushed him away.
Adriana had never understood him.
Adriana had made him unhappy.
And now, in Daniel's mind, Adriana was responsible for everything that had gone wrong.
Even Elena's pregnancy.
Even his family's disappointment.
Even the divorce.
The truth was too painful for him to face.
He had cheated.
He had gotten another woman pregnant.
He had destroyed his marriage.
But admitting that would mean accepting that he was the architect of his own downfall.
It was easier to blame Adriana.
When he discovered where she worked, he began appearing near the school.
His curious at first: how is she doing?
He wanted to see how miserable she was, but to his surprise, Adriana was doing well.
She got a job,b and one thing that caught Daniel’s attention was that one day he saw her with a man holding her hands entering the school.
“Who is that?”
Daniel could not believe what he was seeing. How can she be involved with another man this early?.
Had she already moved on?
Had she forgotten him?
Daniel began watching from a distance, convincing himself that he deserved answers.
He told himself he wasn't stalking her.
He was simply trying to understand what happened to his life.
The situation at Redwood School was resolved two days later.
Adriana was called into the principal's office.
She entered expecting the worst.
Instead, the principal explained that the school had decided not to terminate her employment.
However, Theo would be transferred to another class.
“It should prevent further complications,” the principal explained.
Adriana nodded.
“That’s fine.”
It wasn't ideal.
She would miss having him in her class.
But at least she still had her job.
When she told Theo, he looked disappointed.
“I won't be your teacher anymore?”
“Not anymore.”
“But I'll still see you?”
“Every day.”
He smiled.
“Then it's okay.”
Adriana hugged him.
It wasn't the perfect solution.
The other teachers at Redwood are still ignoring and keeping their distance from Adriana. She could not be bothered, as her being married to Dante Vescari can really set other people off.
“Are you also mad at me?”
Adriana asked Madeline.
“Rather than mad, I am actually pissed and shocked that you never told me.”
“I am sorry; I do not know how to explain.”
“So the flowers are from him?”
“Yup!”
“God! You really snagged a good catch.”
“I do not want to label it like that.”
“I am glad Theo had a stepmom; he is indeed being bullied because of that.”
“I know, he is such a lovable kid.”
“It is a good thing he is in my class now; I can just ask him about the juicy details of your marriage.”
“You would not, Madeline.”
“I will!”
Adriana was thinking of what Dante said. He might be right; to hell with what other people say.
This is her life.
Classes in Redwood ended in a breeze.
“Now Theo, stay here, and mommy will just finish cleaning up, okay.”
“Okay!”
Adriana headed outside for her clean-up duty today. As she stepped into the schoolyard, she saw Daniel Lewis outside the school.
“What is he doing here?”
Daniel saw her and approached her.
“Adriana.”
Her stomach tightened.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you.”
“You shouldn't be here.”
“Why?”
“Because we're divorced.”
His smile faded slightly.
“I heard you were working here.”
“That isn't your concern.”
Daniel looked toward the school.
“You seem different.”
Adriana didn't answer.
Daniel then saw the ring on her finger.
“Hahaha! That ring on your finger is that a joke?”
Adriana placed her hands behind her back.
“I do not need to explain anything to you. Leave!”
“I hate you. You still think you are better than Elena and me.”
“I do not think that! And I do not think of you and Elena. We are divorced; my connection to you and her is over. Leave right now, or I will call the school’s security.”
“Hmm! Be careful, Adrian. I will make you regret crossing me.”
“Stop with your empty threats, Daniel. Leave!”
“Mommy!”
Adriana and Daniel looked in the same direction, and it was Daniel who saw them.
Adriana’s heart dropped; she immediately pushed Daniel away.
“Theo, come on, let’s call Vincent now.”
“Who is that?”
“No one!”
Adriana glared at Daniel, and they left.
Daniel was left there, perplexed.
“Did that kid called Adriana, mommy?”
Adriana was so nervous; Daniel had clearly lost his mind. The worst thing was that Theo saw him; the last thing she wanted was for her current situation to be involved in her past.
They reached home, and to their surprise, Dante was already home.
“Daddy!”
Theo smiled and hugged his daddy.
“Hello there!
“Dante!”
“Adriana!”
The two of them greeted each other. It was like a quiet understanding that both of them knew.
Dinner at Vecari Manor had become an unusual kind of routine.
Theo sat between Dante and Adriana, happily telling them about his new class while occasionally stealing pieces of chicken from Adriana's plate.
“And today,” Theo said excitedly, “I saw you outside the school.”
Adriana looked at him. “You did?”
Theo nodded.
“You were talking to a man.”
Adriana's hand stopped halfway to her glass.
Dante noticed.
“A man?” he asked casually.
Theo nodded.
“He was standing near the gate. You talked to him for a long time.”
Adriana placed her glass down.
“It wasn't that long.”
Dante looked at her.
“Who was he?”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Adriana avoided his eyes.
“Someone I know.”
Theo looked between them.
“Is he your friend?”
“No,” Adriana answered quickly.
Dante's eyebrow lifted.
“Then who is he?”
Adriana picked up her fork.
“Just someone from my past.”
“Someone from your past,” Dante repeated.
“Yes.”
“Do I know him?”
“I don't think so.”
“What's his name?”
Adriana sighed.
“Dante.”
“What?”
“You're interrogating me.”
“I'm asking a question.”
“Several questions.”
Theo watched them curiously.
Dante leaned back in his chair.
“I was only wondering.”
Adriana gave him a look.
“You don't look like you're only wondering.”
For a brief moment, Dante said nothing.
Then Theo suddenly spoke.
“He looked angry.”
Dante's attention shifted to his son.
“Did he?”
Theo nodded.
“Not at me. At Mommy.”
Adriana's expression tightened.
Dante noticed immediately.
“Did he say anything to you?”
“No.”
“To Adriana?”
Theo shook his head.
“I don't remember.”
Dante looked back at Adriana.
“Do you?”
She hesitated.
“It's nothing you need to worry about.”
His jaw tightened slightly.
“That's not what I asked.”
“Dante, please.”
He studied her for another moment before finally nodding.
“All right.”
Theo continued eating, apparently satisfied that the conversation was over.
But Dante wasn't.
After dinner, Adriana did her routine and tucked Theo to sleep. Once Theo was asleep, she returned to her room.
She had barely changed into her nightclothes when she heard a knock.
She opened the door.
Dante stood outside.
She wasn't surprised.
“Come in.”
He entered and closed the door behind him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Dante said,
“Daniel Lewis.”
Adriana's expression changed.
“You know his name.”
“I know enough.”
She looked away.
Well, what should she expect from this rich man? He might have already checked on her la ong time ago.
“You had Vincent look into him.”
“I had Vincent find out who he was.”
“That's the same thing.”
“Is it?”
Adriana sighed.
“He's my ex-husband.”
Dante's face remained unreadable.
“I know.”
Adriana didn’t really want to talk to Dante about this. Her past is hers alone.
“How long has he been showing himself at school?
“Just recently, I actually saw him and her new fiancé a couple of weeks ago. Before we agreed to marry.”
“And you didn't tell me.”
“I didn't think it was necessary.”
Dante's eyes narrowed slightly.
“Is he harassing you?”
“No! I think he is just there.”
“You are already divorced, and yet he appears at your workplace and is talking to you?”
Dante’s tone is strict and concerning.
Adriana crossed her arms.
“I'm handling it.”
“You said that before.”
She looked at him.
“And you still came to the school.”
“Because you were being threatened with your job.”
“And now you're doing it again.”
“This is different.”
“How?”
Dante took a step closer.
“Because this man isn't going away.”
Adriana's voice softened.
“I don't want you involved.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel is my past.”
Dante's expression hardened.
“Your past shouldn't be standing outside your workplace.”
She looked at him.
For a moment, his concern was unmistakable.
But there was something else beneath it.
Something sharper.
Adriana tilted her head.
“I know you are concerned that he might endanger Theo, but please let me handle this.”
“That is true. I am worried for Theo,o and I am also worried for you.”
Adriana's heart skipped at the word.
“Your wife? “I don't like strangers approaching you.”
Dante seemed to realize what was said, but her mouth spoke before he was thinking.
“On paper,” he added.
“Of course.”
Silence.
Dante looked at her.
“Did you love him?”
The question came quietly.
Adriana's expression softened.
“Once.”
His jaw tightened.
“And now?”
“Now?”
“Do you still have feelings for him?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
Dante's shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.
Adriana noticed.
“I am sorry for once again trying to handle the situation on my own. If things got messy, I will make sure to tell you.”
Adriana replied to Dante.
“Whatever happened between you and Daniel is your business,” he said. “But if he presents any form of threat, you need to tell me.”
Adriana's smile faded.
“You don't have to protect me from everything.”
“I know.”
He looked directly at her.
“But I want to.”
The room went quiet.
Adriana's heart began beating faster.
Dante seemed equally aware of the sudden change in the air between them.
Neither moved.
Finally, Adriana looked away.
“I'll tell you if he comes back.”
Dante nodded.
“Good.”
He reached for the door.
Then stopped.
“And Adriana?”
She looked at him.
“If he makes you uncomfortable, you don't handle it alone.”
His voice was firm.
“Call me.”
She nodded slowly.
“I will.”
Dante left.
Adriana closed the door behind him and leaned against it.
She looked down at her wedding ring.
For a marriage that was supposed to be nothing more than an arrangement, Dante was beginning to care far too much.
And judging by the way her heart was beating, so was she.
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