The Orchestrated Lie

Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

"I hope you’re ready to fight, Shania."

The voice startled me, pulling me out of the restless sleep I’d fallen into. My heart pounded as I sat up, disoriented in the dim light of my bedroom. It wasn’t Stefan’s voice—it was Adrian’s.

And then I saw him, leaning against the wall near the window, his face partially obscured by shadows.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed, clutching the blanket around me as if it could shield me from the sheer audacity of his presence.

Adrian pushed off the wall, taking a step closer. His movements were calm, too calm, but his eyes told a different story. They were wild, unhinged.

"I came to remind you of something," he said, his voice low but full of menace. "You’re still legally my wife, Shania. That means you belong to me."

I forced myself to stand, my legs shaky but holding firm. "I don’t belong to you, Adrian. I never did. Now get out of here before I call the police."

He laughed, the sound bitter and devoid of humor. "Oh, Shania, do you really think your billionaire boyfriend can protect you from everything? Stefan’s money can’t erase the truth. And the truth is, you’ll always be mine."

I stepped back, my hand fumbling for my phone on the nightstand. But Adrian was faster. He closed the distance between us in an instant, grabbing my wrist and forcing me to drop the device.

"Let me go," I said through gritted teeth, trying to pull away.

"Not until you listen to me," he said, his grip tightening. "Do you know what kind of man Stefan really is? Do you?"

"Let her go."

The deep, commanding voice sent a chill down my spine. I turned my head just in time to see Stefan standing in the doorway, his face like stone, his eyes cold and dangerous.

Adrian smirked, not releasing his hold on me. "Well, speak of the devil," he said. "You’re just in time to hear the truth, Stefan."

Stefan took a step forward, his presence filling the room. "The truth?" he asked, his tone even but carrying an edge that could cut steel. "The only truth here is that you’re trespassing in her home. And if you don’t leave now, I’ll make sure you regret it."

Adrian sneered, finally releasing my wrist but not backing down. "She deserves to know," he said, looking at me now. "He’s been controlling your life, Shania. You think this is all some coincidence? That he just happened to show up when you needed him? Stefan doesn’t do coincidences."

I turned to Stefan, my chest tightening. "What is he talking about?"

Stefan’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t look away from me. "This isn’t the time, Shania," he said evenly.

Adrian let out a triumphant laugh. "See? He won’t even deny it. Ask him, Shania. Ask him why he picked you. Why he needed someone with your name, your circumstances. Ask him what he’s hiding."

"Enough." Stefan’s voice was sharp, commanding silence. He turned to Adrian, his expression deadly. "You’ve said what you came to say. Now get out."

For a moment, Adrian didn’t move, his gaze flicking between the two of us. Then he smirked, the same infuriating smirk he always wore when he thought he’d won.

"Enjoy the lies while they last, Shania," he said, backing toward the door. "Because when the truth comes out, you’ll realize you’ve just traded one manipulative bastard for another."

The door slammed shut behind him, and the silence that followed was deafening.

I turned to Stefan, my heart pounding. "Is he right?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Have you been lying to me?"

Stefan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It’s not what you think," he said finally.

"Then tell me what it is," I demanded. "No more secrets, Stefan. I need to know the truth."

For a moment, he just stood there, his expression unreadable. Then he took a step closer, his eyes locked on mine.

"I didn’t lie to you," he said slowly. "But I haven’t told you everything either. I’ve been watching you, Shania. Long before we ever met."

The room seemed to tilt, his words hitting me like a blow. "What?"

He took another step closer, his voice quieter now. "There are things about my past… things I can’t explain yet. But when I saw you that night at the hotel, I knew you were the one. I knew you were the only one who could give me what I needed."

My mind was spinning, trying to process his words. "What do you mean, ‘what you needed’? What does that even mean?"

He reached out, his hand brushing against mine. "I needed a woman strong enough to stand by me, no matter what. A woman who wouldn’t break under pressure. You’re that woman, Shania."

I pulled my hand away, taking a step back. "That’s not an answer," I said, my voice rising. "You’ve been orchestrating my life, haven’t you? Adrian was right."

Stefan’s eyes hardened, his calm demeanor cracking for the first time. "Adrian is a liar," he said sharply. "Everything I’ve done has been to protect you, to help you."

"Help me?" I repeated, my voice filled with disbelief. "By manipulating me? By keeping secrets? How is that helping me, Stefan?"

He took a deep breath, his jaw clenching. "You don’t understand—"

"You’re right, I don’t," I cut him off. "Because you won’t explain. You keep saying it’s not what I think, but you won’t tell me what it is. How am I supposed to trust you when you won’t even be honest with me?"

For a moment, he just stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then he turned and walked toward the door.

"Where are you going?" I called after him.

He paused, his hand on the doorknob. "To deal with Adrian," he said without looking back. "Because no matter how angry you are at me, I’m not letting him hurt you again."

The door closed softly behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, my hands shaking. The man I thought I was beginning to trust had just admitted to something I couldn’t even fully comprehend. And Adrian…

I pressed a hand to my stomach, a surge of protectiveness washing over me. Whatever was happening, one thing was clear: I couldn’t rely on anyone but myself.

Not anymore.