Chapter 5: New Home
1321 Words
Diana’s POV
Returning home with Adrian was supposed to be the last thing I ever wanted to do.
Yet, with his presence beside me and the contract already signed, I could no longer deny the truth staring me in the face.
My life as Mrs Sinclair was over. Completely and finally.
The drive back to the villa was painfully quiet. I said nothing.
Adrian said nothing too.
It was as if we both silently agreed that words would only complicate things further.
The sound of the tires against the road and the faint hum of the engine filled the space between us, and strangely, I preferred it that way.
“Stop here,” I told the driver the moment we reached the waterfall.
I tightened my grip on my bag and reached for the door handle.
Before I could step out, Adrian finally spoke.
“Do you need me to come with you?”
His posture remained relaxed, unmoved, his eyes still glued to his phone as if the question meant nothing. I shook my head.
“I will be back.”
Without waiting for a response, I closed the door and walked toward the entrance.
My heart raced for reasons I could not fully explain.
My palms were damp with sweat, and I could feel tiny beads forming on my forehead.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Calm your nerves, Diana. This is your home, not enemy territory.
One push of the doorbell and the door opened almost immediately.
Alice, the housekeeper, stood there with relief written all over her face.
“We have been waiting for you, ma’am. Please come…”
“I will not be here for long, Alice,” I cut in softly, brushing past her and heading straight for the stairs.
As I climbed up, harsh whispers followed behind me.
I did not need to turn around to know they were watching.
They stood lined up like silent judges, waiting to pass their verdict on the fallen wife who had returned in shame.
I shut the door to my room behind me and stood still for a moment, breathing in familiar air.
Then I looked around.
On the bedside table sat a framed photograph of me, Lauren, and our parents.
We were smiling. Happy. Perfect.
Too perfect.
Too perfect for anyone to believe that my parents would one day allow my sister to take everything that was meant for me.
My throat tightened as I swallowed hard.
I reached for my bag and began packing, forcing myself to focus.
I took only what mattered. Clothes, documents, personal items.
Anything that did not carry memories of a past that no longer belonged to me.
I avoided looking at anything that reminded me of Kane. Of us.
Once I was done, I locked the door behind me and hurried downstairs.
Alice and the other maids were already waiting.
Their heads were lowered, either in shame or sadness. I could not tell which hurt more.
Alice lifted her head slowly, her hands trembling.
“Aren’t you coming back, Miss Diana?”
I thought of a lie to tell them. Something comforting. Something easy.
I wanted to tell them to go home and forget about this house, to stop waiting for me because I might never return.
But the words refused to come.
“Let no one come in here, Alice,” I said instead.
“Not even Lauren or my parents.”
They all nodded in unison, hands clasped respectfully behind their backs.
“But will you be alright, ma’am?” Alice asked, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
“I will be alright,” I lied.
I was close to breaking, and pretending to be strong was doing nothing to help.
“Just do what I said. Let no one into the house. I will be back soon.”
Soon, as soon as I was done pretending to be someone I was not and dealing with the two people who destroyed my life.
I turned and walked out, closing the door before they could see the tears finally escape my eyes.
Adrian was already standing beside the car, his hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze fixed on me.
“Were you crying?” he asked, his voice flat but laced with something that sounded dangerously close to concern.
I wiped my face quickly, ignoring him as I tossed my bags into the boot.
“Let’s go,” I murmured.
I tried to walk past him, but he reached out and grabbed my arm.
His fingers tightened slightly, forcing me to stop.
“Did they make you cry?” he demanded. “Diana, just say it.”
I winced and slapped his hand away.
“Never hold me like that again. I am fine.”
Without waiting for his reply, I slid into the car and settled by the window.
I took one last look at the villa as the engine started.
For a brief moment, I wanted to run back inside.
To lock myself in my room and pretend Kane and my sister never existed.
But I did not.
Not because of Adrian, but because of something else I had yet to understand.
Maybe pride.
Maybe anger.
Maybe survival.
A few seconds later, Adrian joined me in the car. I still did not look at him.
He had no right to ask me questions, and he certainly had no right to touch me like that.
“Let’s go,” he instructed the driver.
I could feel his gaze on me, burning against my skin.
This entire arrangement made my stomach twist in knots.
The Blackwell mansion was just as massive as rumors claimed.
Tall gates, wide halls, and an intimidating presence that screamed power and control.
Adrian turned into a perfect gentleman the moment we arrived.
His gestures felt different from the careless man I had dismissed earlier.
“Welcome to the Blackwell mansion, Diana. Your new home,” he said with a wide grin, spreading his hands like a proud host.
“I will ask the staff to take you to your room.”
He called over two housekeepers. “Please take Mrs Diana to her arranged room.”
They carried my bags upstairs while I followed in silence.
When we reached the room, I froze.
Everything inside felt deliberate. Planned. As if my arrival had been expected long before today.
“Do you need help arranging your clothes?” one of them asked.
“No, I will do it myself,” I replied politely.
“If you need anything, please ring the bell,” she said, pointing to a button on the table.
“Mr Adrian instructed us not to let you do anything yourself.”
I nodded and waited until they left before letting out a slow breath.
Very nice. Very strange.
I left my bags untouched and wandered through the mansion.
I needed to see it for myself.
“Getting lost?” Adrian asked from the bottom of the stairs.
“Just getting to know my new home,” I lied.
He smiled. “You might actually get lost, so scream if you do.”
The hallways were long and filled with portraits.
Paintings. Photographs. Almost all of them were Adrian.
At the end of the hallway, I stopped.
My heart dropped.
The portrait showed Adrian and Lauren.
Kissing.
My chest tightened as fear crept in.
Had they been together before?
Was I nothing more than a pawn in another twisted game?
I glanced around, making sure no one was nearby, then pulled out my phone.
“Hello, Nelson.”
His voice sounded cheerful. “Miss Diana. It is good to hear from you again.”
“This is a special job,” I said quietly. “No mistakes. No traces.”
“Yes, ma’am. Give me a name.”
“Names,” I corrected. “Lauren Forest and Adrian Blackwell.”
- Writer
