CHAPTER EIGHT THE JEALOUSY LINE
1496 Words
Three days later, Elena officially became Mrs. Adrian Kingston in the eyes of the public.
The private civil ceremony took less than twenty minutes.
No family.
No vows filled with love.
No soft music.
Just signatures, cameras, and a legal bond that changed everything.
Elena stood beside Adrian in a simple cream dress, feeling strangely detached from her own body.
The registrar smiled politely.
“Congratulations to the newlyweds.”
Newlyweds.
The word felt unreal.
Adrian signed the final document calmly before sliding the pen toward her.
Elena stared at the paper for a second too long.
One signature.
One line.
One decision that permanently tied her life to his.
She swallowed slowly and signed.
The moment she finished, camera flashes exploded around them.
Reporters shouted questions immediately.
“Mr. Kingston, when did your relationship begin?”
“Mrs. Kingston, were you involved with Adrian before ending your engagement?”
“Is this marriage revenge against Jason Williams?”
Elena stiffened instantly.
The questions felt like knives.
Before panic could fully rise inside her, Adrian’s hand settled lightly against her lower back.
Steady.
Grounding.
Not intimate.
Protective.
“We’re leaving,” he said coldly.
His security team immediately blocked the reporters as Adrian guided Elena toward the waiting car outside.
The moment the doors shut behind them, silence filled the vehicle again.
Elena finally exhaled shakily.
“I think I’m starting to hate cameras.”
Adrian loosened his tie slightly.
“That feeling will grow.”
Despite herself, she smiled faintly.
It disappeared quickly.
“What if people never believe me?” she asked quietly.
Adrian glanced toward her.
“Believe what?”
“That I didn’t betray Jason first.”
A pause.
Then:
“People believe whatever entertains them most.”
The answer hurt because it was true.
Elena looked down at her hands.
“I feel like my entire life became gossip overnight.”
Adrian watched her silently for a moment.
Then unexpectedly said:
“You’re stronger than public opinion.”
Her eyes lifted slightly.
The statement was simple.
Matter-of-fact.
But something about hearing confidence from him affected her deeply.
Jason used to praise her only when she benefited him.
Adrian rarely complimented her.
But when he did…
It felt real.
The car stopped outside Kingston Global Headquarters.
Elena blinked in surprise.
“We’re going to your company?”
“You’re coming with me.”
“Why?”
Adrian stepped out of the car first before answering.
“Because hiding you makes you look guilty.”
The words settled heavily inside her.
He was right again.
Elena followed him out nervously.
The massive skyscraper towered above her like power carved into glass and steel.
Employees immediately straightened the moment Adrian entered.
Respect followed him everywhere.
No—
Fear.
Elena noticed it instantly.
People moved differently around him.
Carefully.
Quickly.
Like nobody wanted to disappoint him.
As they stepped into the private elevator, Elena glanced sideways at him.
“Does everyone fear you?”
“Yes.”
The direct honesty startled a laugh out of her.
Adrian’s eyes shifted toward her briefly.
“You find that amusing?”
“A little.”
“Why?”
“Because you admit it so casually.”
He looked forward again.
“Fear is efficient.”
Elena shook her head softly.
“You sound like a villain in a movie.”
A faint pause.
Then surprisingly—
“So I’ve been told.”
This time she actually laughed.
A real laugh.
Small but genuine.
And for a brief second…
Something shifted in Adrian’s expression.
Almost distracted.
As if hearing her laugh affected him unexpectedly.
The elevator doors opened before either of them could acknowledge it.
The executive floor was stunning.
Modern.
Elegant.
Powerful.
Employees immediately lowered their heads respectfully.
“Good morning, Mr. Kingston.”
Then their eyes shifted toward Elena.
Curious.
Shocked.
Judging.
Mrs. Kingston.
The title followed her silently through every stare.
Elena suddenly felt underdressed despite the expensive clothes Adrian’s staff had prepared for her.
A woman approached quickly.
Tall.
Beautiful.
Perfectly polished.
Her sharp eyes landed on Elena instantly before returning to Adrian.
“Your meeting starts in ten minutes,” she informed professionally.
Then her gaze returned to Elena again.
Longer this time.
Assessment.
Adrian noticed immediately.
“This is Sophia,” he said calmly to Elena. “My executive assistant.”
Sophia forced a polite smile.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Kingston.”
Elena nodded politely.
“You too.”
But something about the woman’s expression felt… off.
Not disrespectful.
Not exactly.
Just unreadable.
Sophia handed Adrian several files.
Then quietly added:
“Mr. Williams is downstairs.”
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Elena froze.
Again?
Adrian looked irritated now.
“He requested a meeting.”
“I declined.”
“Good.”
Sophia hesitated.
“He refused to leave.”
Of course he did.
Elena looked away anxiously.
Jason had become relentless these past few days.
Calls from unknown numbers.
Messages from fake accounts.
Flowers arriving at the mansion.
Every attempt ignored.
Yet he kept coming back.
Adrian’s jaw tightened slightly.
Then he looked toward Elena.
“Stay in my office.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Handle him.”
Something in his tone made her nervous.
“Adrian—”
“He’s becoming a problem.”
The coldness in his voice sent a chill through her.
Before she could respond, Adrian turned and walked away with Sophia following behind him.
Elena stood alone awkwardly for a moment before entering his office.
The room was enormous.
Dark wood.
Glass walls.
A breathtaking city view.
Everything about it screamed control.
Her gaze drifted toward a framed photograph sitting near the bookshelf.
A younger Adrian stood beside an older man.
His father perhaps.
Neither smiling.
Elena frowned slightly.
Even in photographs, Adrian looked emotionally distant.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
She turned.
A young employee entered nervously carrying coffee.
The woman nearly dropped the tray after recognizing Elena.
“Oh my God,” she whispered accidentally.
Embarrassment flooded her face immediately.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Kingston.”
Elena smiled weakly.
“It’s okay.”
The employee hesitated before quietly blurting:
“You’re prettier in real life.”
Elena blinked in surprise.
Then laughed softly.
“Thank you?”
The girl smiled shyly before leaving quickly.
For the first time in days…
Elena felt something light inside her chest.
Tiny.
But there.
Maybe not everyone hated her.
Voices suddenly echoed outside the office.
Loud.
Tense.
Elena immediately recognized Jason’s voice.
“You can’t keep her away from me!”
Her chest tightened instantly.
Then Adrian’s colder voice answered.
“I can.”
Elena moved closer to the glass walls instinctively.
Jason stood several feet away looking furious.
Exhausted.
Desperate.
Employees nearby pretended not to watch while obviously listening.
“You’re doing this to punish me!” Jason snapped.
Adrian looked completely calm.
“No,” he replied. “You’re simply experiencing consequences.”
Jason laughed bitterly.
“You think she actually cares about you?”
Elena’s breath caught slightly.
Adrian’s expression didn’t change.
“That’s irrelevant.”
“Then why marry her?”
Silence.
Then Adrian answered quietly:
“Because someone needed to stand beside her after you destroyed her publicly.”
The words hit Elena unexpectedly hard.
Jason looked stunned.
Then angry again.
“She still loves me.”
The statement lingered painfully.
Because part of it was still true.
Healing didn’t happen overnight.
Jason noticed her silence through the glass office walls.
Their eyes met instantly.
Something desperate crossed his face.
“Elena,” he called softly.
Adrian stepped slightly into his line of sight immediately.
Protective.
Jason’s expression darkened violently.
Jealousy flashed openly now.
Not subtle anymore.
Raw.
Possessive.
“You touch her now?” Jason asked bitterly. “Comfort her? Hold her when she cries?”
Elena’s face warmed instantly.
Adrian’s gaze turned dangerous.
“You’ve lost the right to ask about her.”
Jason laughed harshly.
“You actually want her.”
Silence.
Heavy silence.
And suddenly…
Elena realized something terrifying.
Jason wasn’t afraid of losing her anymore.
He was afraid Adrian might genuinely value her.
The realization shifted something inside her chest.
Jason stepped closer again.
“She’s emotional, Adrian. Fragile. You’ll get tired of it eventually.”
Before Elena could even react—
Adrian spoke.
Cold.
Sharp.
Protective.
“Unlike you,” he said quietly, “I don’t punish people for having feelings.”
The entire floor fell silent.
Even Elena stopped breathing for a second.
Because somehow…
That sentence felt far too personal.
Jason looked shaken now.
Not angry.
Wounded.
And jealous beyond control.
Adrian turned slightly toward security.
“Escort him out.”
Jason stared at Elena one final time.
“You’re making a mistake.”
Her heart hurt hearing it.
But not enough anymore.
This time, she didn’t run after him.
Didn’t soften.
Didn’t apologize.
She simply stood beside Adrian.
And somehow…
That hurt Jason more than anything else.
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