The Abandoned Wife Makes A Come Back

CHAPTER TWENTY

The rest of the evening went without a hitch though the memory of Vincent being violent lingered on my mind. I wasn't foolish to think he couldn't hurt someone, he made it clear he could with Alistair, but seeing it was different and something made it feel like it was just the tip of the iceberg.

V took me around to meet her friends, some of them eager to meet me from the gossip. Hoping to get more of the story on Vincent but I made it clear I wasn't sharing anything that didn't pertain to me personally. It was a wonderfully, extravagant evening. I felt happy until a tall, blonde beauty approached Vincent. He stiffened as she approached him so casually. I tried to ask V who she was but she just took my hand and took me far away from the scene.

"What's up V?" She looked annoyed but she tried to keep a smile and avoid answering but she could tell I wouldn't let it go. She sighed.

"That's Giselle North. She's a very powerful, very pain in the ass woman. She's his self proclaimed 'wife' but it's all in her head. Trust me."

Despite V's reassurance I couldn't deny the knots twisting in my stomach as I watched her try to get closer to Vincent. His rage was barely contained. V could see it was bothering me but before either of us knew it I was approaching them, my arm wrapping around Vincent's possessively.

Id be lying if I didn't say the look on Giselle's face didn't bring me some dark satisfaction. Her face twisting with barely contained rage. She managed to contain herself, not wanting to throw a tantrum in such an influential place.

"Vincent darling...who is she?"Her voice seething but quiet. Her eyes focused on my arm wrapped around Vincent's. Before he could respond I smiled and extended my hand.

"Adeline, his fiance." I don't know where this was coming from, it had been mentioned but no one really knew. About our relationship I hadn't even asked him. It just tumbled out with so much confidence everyone in the vicinity began to whisper amongst themselves at the shocking news.

Her face contorted as she turned to Vincent and he just smiled at her, his voice smooth and amused. "That's correct, she's the future Mrs. Hart" his grin was wicked as he revelled in the way her face fought to keep calm through the storm in her eyes.

"Vincent" she hissed, gripping his arm firmly. Her ice blue eyes were boring into his very soul but he remained indifferent. "Vincent, honey ... You know daddy has already bought our venue, you certainly can't be serious with this... Pathetic thing"

She tried to dismiss me with a wave of her hand but Vincent gripped her wrist tightly, his voice cold and deep as he stood over my protectively. "That's my future wife Evangeline, you'd do well to remember that." With that he walked away, gently pulling me along.

We made our way out to a scenic garden, away from the crowd of snakes and wolves. It was refreshing being away from the in your face opulence that was the gala venue, the garden provided a space to breathe and unwind. the moonlight illuminating the shimmering decorations and perfectly trimmed landscapes. It was quiet and felt magical as the music hummed in the cool night air.

Vincent and I continued walking, admiring it all. After a while his voice broke the silence.

"Adeline" my name sounded magical on his lips, especially as he smiled softly while saying it, "you were very brave, I'm truly blessed to call you mine."

He gently pulled me flush against him, his body leading mine in a gentle, comforting sway. I closed my eyes feeling calm and lost in the warmth of his strong figure. He squeezed me protectively, trying to preserve this peaceful moment. At the time I didn't understand how hectic things would become as just revelled in his presence.

Things were uneventful for a few weeks, we lived in a relative quiet that made me forget about my family drama and the drama with the woman from the gala. That is until there was a deep, ruthless knock on the door of Vincent's villa. I could tell Edgar knew who the knock belonged to by the way his face scrunched in irritation but he put on a professional face and answered the door. His voice unusually curt.

"Mr. Hart." He stood to block the stranger as much as he could but the man was massive, looking at him I could see he had familiar amber eyes and black hair that peppered off on the sides. His face was even colder than Vincent's but the angles were a match, I could tell without a doubt this was his father.

I gulped as the man pushed past What and stepped into the house, his eyes scrutinizing every detail of his son's villa. His voice a deep rumble of disapproval.

"Pathetic." He hissed clearly unimpressed. Finally his eyes fell onto me. He stalked silently towards me, reaching out a hand to touch my hair. Appraising me like a show pony. "Good birthing hips, quiet to... You look far too soft for this kind of life sweetheart. Far too soft." He let my hair fall from his fingers, sneering at me as it was clear he made me uncomfortable. He took a seat casually in an armchair, his eyes never leaving mine "You must be the wretch he's currently fawning over then."

Before Edgar could interject I straightened myself. I was going to be Vincent's wife someday and I knew he'd be disappointed if I showed fear or allow myself to be intimidated.

"I am Adeline Matthews. Vincent's fiance. You must be his father." I kept my time even and respectful as I stood firmly.

I could tell by the narrowing of his eyes he had expected me to be now meek and possibly cower against his intimidation.

"Matthews...Matthews...ahh... Yes the pitiful wife of that pathetic worm of a business man. What was his name? Ha. Yes. Jonathan Matthews isn't it? How's his affair child?" He grinned, enjoying the clear discomfort of him reminding me of my past.

He stalled closer to me, like a predator sizing up a morsel. I knew he was trying to intimidate me, this was a man that didn't fathom the words "no" and "respecting others" but before I could respond or react a familiar voice cut through.

"I suggest you keep your distance from the future Mrs. Hart." We both snapped towards the looming figure of Vincent, him Amber eyes were a deep almost black pool of aggression and authority that made even me shiver.

Of course the man didn't share the same reaction, he simply narrowed his gaze in response.

"Ah...my never ending Disappointment. How are you, son?" His tone was mocking and cold as he straightened himself, trying to appear bigger but it could be seen his age was a factor as Vincent drew closer.

He gently pushed me behind him, protectively. "You don't have a son anymore. I don't believe you have any business here so I suggest you leave, while you can do it on your own."