Love Reborn: A Tale Of Redemption

Chapter 3: A Seed Of Doubt

Adrian tightened his hold on the crystal tumbler in his hand as he paced the length of his office. Inside, the whiskey swirled languidly, unaffected.

He had slept very little. Elena had left. Just like that. Without a fight. Without an argument. Without any effort to clear her name. She just left. Did that mean she was actually guilty?

It ought to have made things easier for him but it felt more like a loss. Shrugging, he consoled himself that he felt that way because she had made him feel ashamed. She embarrassed him, his family, and his company in front of the world.

Something else, though, was gnawing at him in the back. The previous night, Cassandra said something. "She went out of town. No trace. No forwarding address. Nothing.”

Adrian scowled. Elena wasn't like that. She was the type of woman who wouldn't simply vanish without saying anything; she was unflinching….fierce. Wouldn't she have at least forced an explanation? Get through to him somehow even if he didn't want to listen to her? What reason did she have to betray him by the way? What was she thinking?

He was startled out of his reverie by the buzzing of his phone. Retrieving it on the desk and seeing that the caller was Caleb Frost made his hold on the device become unnaturally firm.

Damn the ashole. Most likely, the jerk wanted to poke fun at him. He dropped the call without a word and threw the phone back onto his desk. He didn't want to listen to Caleb's arrogant voice and his jest.

A gentle tap on the door caught his attention and he whispered, “Come in,” as he massaged his temples.

Cassandra's heels clicked on the marble floor as she entered through the huge, shining door. As usual, she wore a high-waist pencil skirt and a navy blue silk shirt, and her auburn hair fell in flawless waves. She was carrying a dish of croissants and fresh coffee.

Adrian's forehead raised. "When did you start bringing me breakfast?"

Placing the tray down on his desk, Cassandra grinned coyly. "Since you have been moping around like a man tending to a wounded heart."

With a short gasp, Adrian collapsed in his chair. "I'm not moping around."

Cassandra slid into the seat opposite him and crossed her legs gracefully. She used her right hand to tuck an unseen strand of hair behind her ear although none of the waves was out of place. "Really?” Her tone was laced with sarcasm as she continued, “Well, considering you haven't spoken to me or anyone for that matter since last night, I beg to differ.”

Adrian remained silent. He didn't want to confide much about his romantic tragedy with an ex-girlfriend, although they had ended their relationship on a clean slate a year ago and had remained friends since then. Well, they had been in each other's lives forever as their families were friends.

Cassandra put her chin on her palm as she leaned forward. "Talk to me, sweetheart. What's going through your convoluted mind?”

Adrian looked at her, searching for a tell, something. A moment of guilt. Because her delivery of the news that Elena was gone to him last night had been too polished, too rehearsed. Then, the way she had stated it, "I took care of everything," felt a certain kind of way.

Adrian combed his hair with his hand. He asked, "How did you learn that Elena was gone that fast?"

Not a beat was missed by Cassandra. "I do things my way. And you know my way is quite peculiar." She shrugged. "Besides, people talk. I might have consulted others.” Her informal tone annoyed him for some reason.

Adrian let out a breath. "Why do I have this nagging feeling that you know more than you're telling me?"

Cassandra's fingers pounded lightly on the table, but her smile remained unwavering. "I did what had to be done, Adrian," she stated with ease. “You no longer have that woman in your life because she was playing you. And if you suspect me because I choose to be a friend in need, so be it.”

Adrian's eyes narrowed. He knew Cassandra didn't like Elena because of him but he genuinely thought she had put her ill feelings to rest as they continued their friendship after their break up. He remarked, "There is a name for that woman, you know."

Although Cassandra's brows raised a little, her smile persisted. "You do miss her, then."

Adrian's jaw tightened. "I did not say that."

Cassandra c****d her head and observed him intently. "So why do you appear to be unsure?"

Adrian looked away and let out a quick exhale. He didn't want to acknowledge it, neither to himself nor to Cassandra. However, there was a tinge of doubt. And that doubt was an issue because it was the one thing Adrian Calloway could never afford.

************************************************

As Elena exited the claustrophobic taxi, she placed a protective palm over her tummy. The glamour and splendor of the Calloway estate were a long cry from her new surroundings.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee and homemade bread permeated the air as the streets were lined with mom-and-pop stores and tiny bakeries.

It was a desperate move, but this was her new home. In a town where no one knew her, she lived in a small apartment that was hardly equipped. Leaving everything behind, with only a little bag, a shrinking cash account, and a secret she had vowed to keep safe.

Her hand tightened around her bag's strap as she gulped forcefully. She considered calling Adrian countless times. But would it be any use though? He hated her now.

Also, whenever she recalled Cassandra's final remarks, a chill went down her spine. "Poor Adrian will never know."

Elena's fingernails sank into her hand. No. She was unable to return. Not right now. Maybe never. She needed to start over. For her. For her child.

She straightened her shoulders, inhaled deeply, and entered her new flat. There was only a kitchenette, a tiny living room, and a single bedroom, but it was safe. And that was sufficient for now.

************************************************

While Adrian was in the middle of a discussion with his subordinates in the conference room, Silas, his friend, who also worked as his executive assistant, entered and whispered something in his ear. "Caleb Frost is in the lobby. He insists on seeing you, claiming that it is urgent.”

Adrian's mouth clenched. Caleb was the last person he wanted to see but the son of a b***h won't leave him be. He whispered to Silas, "Tell him to go to hell."

Silas paused. "It's about Elena," he said.

Adrian tensed. They were silent for a moment before Adrian let out a breath. He excused the workers before him before turning to Silas, "Send him in."

Shortly after, with his trademark arrogant grin, Caleb walked into the office wearing a dapper charcoal suit. However, there was a change in his gaze, which Adrian had been used to seeing. Something... very crucial.

Adrian folded his arms and reclined in the chair opposite Adrian without waiting for an invite.

Suppressing his irritation, Adrian spoke, holding his gaze, "I'd start talking if I were you. You have five minutes before I call my security to throw you out of my building.”

Instead of retorting as Adrian half expected him to do, Caleb wasted no time. He took out his phone, tapped the screen slid it across the long table.

Adrian picked it up and scowled. A video appeared on the screen. Adrian's blood turned cold in a matter of seconds. Although the video was shaky, it showed Elena standing at a posh club's bar.

And just behind her, was Cassandra sipping a champagne and eyeing Elena with such hate and ferocity that Adrian hadn't seen before.

Adrian gripped the phone more tightly as he noticed that a man, a photographer, judging by his jacket and the camera bag on the table. Cassandra said something to him, then she gave him a hand. Cash.

Then—subtly, the photographer showed her his camera, scrolling through pictures. Pictures of Elena. Pictures that had made the tabloids subsequently.

Adrian's heart was racing. The pictures destroyed his relationship with Elena. He was persuaded that she had deceived him because of that.

Adrian looked up at Caleb abruptly. The bastard's sneer widened as he folded his arms. He shook his head as he spoke, "As much as I enjoy seeing you in this pitiable situation, I do not like being used like this—without permission. You were played, Calloway."

Adrian's thoughts whirled. Did Cassandra really do this? Did she set Elena up? Adrian felt a sharp, dangerous sensation tighten his chest. He had cast Elena aside for a lie.

Adrian's eyes and posture became lethal. He was about to speak but Caleb beat him to it. Raising his index finger, he said, "I have no idea where she is. But if I were you, I would start looking.”

Adrian's gaze grew gloomy. He hardly heard Caleb as he stood and walked out of the room. His heart pounded. Elena hadn't been guilty. And now? She had left.

It didn't matter though. If Adrian Calloway never did one thing, it was to tolerate being made a fool of.