Chapter 6
1026 Words
Tyler explained, "Miss Blake mocked Mrs. Hayes for not having a wedding ring and insinuated in front of her coworkers that she had married an ordinary man. Several of Mrs. Hayes's coworkers heard the remark."
Adrian's fingers curled tightly.
For 6 years, he had forced himself to wait for the chance to finally take Madeline under his protection.
Their marriage had happened so quickly, and he had been so focused on pulling Madeline out of the mess she was in, that he had overlooked the ordinary formalities that came with marriage.
Because of that, she had been forced to endure gossip through no fault of her own.
"Clear my entire schedule tomorrow morning."
The next morning was Saturday, so Madeline slept in a little and didn't get up until around 10 a.m.
When she came downstairs, Adrian was already eating breakfast.
After only a few days apart, Madeline already felt strangely distant from Adrian again.
"Morning, Mr. Hayes," she said a little stiffly.
"Morning."
Adrian looked up at her.
Madeline sat across from him.
"How's your hand?"
The moment he asked, Madeline knew Frank had told him after all about Lucas coming to see her.
"It's fine now."
Adrian held out his hand.
Madeline hesitated, then placed hers in it.
Adrian took her wrist, checked her hand, and then let go.
"Margaret has always spoiled Lucas. He grew up doing whatever he wanted. If he lays a hand on you again, have Frank deal with him. Before he became your driver, Frank was one of my bodyguards. Don't hesitate to have him step in."
The protectiveness in his words was impossible to miss.
It left Madeline a little uncomfortable and more than a little puzzled.
'Adrian and Lucas really don't seem much like father and son.'
After breakfast, Adrian stood.
"Go change. You're coming out with me this morning."
"Where?"
"To pick out rings."
An hour later, their car pulled up outside Northvale's most prestigious luxury jewelry boutique.
They were escorted to a private room on the top floor.
"Please have a seat. Mr. Hayes asked us to prepare everything in advance, so it's all ready."
Several sales associates entered carrying black velvet trays.
Every ring was a work of art, each with a distinctive design.
Even the smallest center stone was five carats, while the largest, an oval pink diamond, was at least 10 carats.
"Do you like any of them?" Adrian asked.
"These are all too expensive," Madeline said quietly. "You really don't have to..."
"Mrs. Hayes should have everything that comes with the name." Adrian's tone left no room for refusal, though it softened a moment later. "And it's not just for show. It's for you."
Madeline's gaze flickered.
She stopped protesting and studied the row of rings.
Eventually, her gaze settled on a four-prong square-cut solitaire ring. It had a plain band and no unnecessary decoration, giving it a simple, understated look.
"This one."
Adrian followed her gesture and nodded. "Try it on."
The sales associate removed the ring from the tray.
Madeline held out her hand, and the cool metal slid over her ring finger. Tiny flashes of fire sparked from the diamond as it caught the light.
It was undeniably beautiful.
It was also far too conspicuous.
"I really like it, Mr. Hayes, but it might be inconvenient to wear to work."
She had only recently started her career. Wearing something this valuable to the office would draw attention she didn't want.
Adrian looked at her downturned profile.
She was always so considerate, weighing every choice carefully and choosing only what seemed reasonable.
That kind of restraint left a bitter ache in his chest.
Getting Madeline to truly accept him would take time.
Fortunately, when it came to the woman he loved, Adrian had more patience than most people could imagine.
"Then choose another one for everyday wear."
The sales associates quickly brought out several more trays.
These rings were much more delicate: solitaires, slim diamond bands, and plain bands set with tiny diamonds.
This time, Madeline didn't hesitate long.
She chose a simple ring with a smaller diamond.
"This one's fine."
Adrian had no objection.
"We'll take both."
"Of course, Mr. Hayes. Would you like your initials and Mrs. Hayes's initials engraved inside?"
"Yes."
While they waited for the engraving, the staff brought in coffee and pastries.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Madeline sipped her coffee and stared off into space.
"What are you thinking about?" Adrian asked.
"Nothing. I just feel like this is too extravagant."
"It's not extravagant," Adrian looked at her steadily. "If you need anything in the future, don't deny yourself. Just tell me."
Madeline raised her eyes.
"Thank you."
Protection offered so casually by someone that powerful could be intoxicating.
It was easy to become dependent on it.
It was just as easy to mistake that dependence for love.
Meanwhile, on the third floor of the shopping center, Lucas was browsing a luxury boutique with Rebecca.
Rebecca held his arm while chattering about handbags, but Lucas barely listened.
All he could think about was Madeline's sudden marriage.
He stepped toward the railing to answer a call.
Without thinking, he glanced down toward the first-floor atrium.
Then he froze.
He would have recognized that figure anywhere.
It was Madeline.
A tall man stood beside her.
They were too far apart for Lucas to make out the man's face, but something about his silhouette struck Lucas as intensely familiar.
'Who is that? Who did Maddie marry?'
Lucas turned on instinct and sprinted toward the express elevator.
"Luke! Where are you going?"
Rebecca hurried after him, clutching the handbag she had been looking at.
"Wait here. I'll be right back."
Lucas didn't look back.
By the time he rushed into the first-floor lobby, people streamed in every direction.
The two figures he had seen were gone.
Lucas stood there as agitation and suspicion surged through him.
He pulled out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen as he messaged the private investigator he had hired.
Lucas: Find out everything you can about Madeline's new husband. I want his full background as soon as possible.
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