Chapter 6 — An Unexpected Proposal
1853 Words
Elena stood completely still.
Victor’s words echoed through the library.
“She’s part of this whether you like it or not.”
She looked from Victor to Adrian, searching their faces for an answer.
Neither man spoke.
The silence itself felt like a confession.
“What does that mean?” Elena finally asked.
Victor’s mouth curved into a faint smile.
“Ask your ex-husband.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Leave.”
Victor didn’t move.
“I’m only telling her what she deserves to know.”
“You’re not telling her anything,” Adrian said coldly. “You’re trying to manipulate her.”
Victor chuckled.
“Still protecting her.”
Elena stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Both men turned toward her.
“I’m tired of everyone talking about me as if I’m not standing here.”
Her voice trembled, but she refused to let either of them see fear.
“I want answers.”
Adrian looked at her.
“You will get them.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
Elena laughed bitterly.
“That’s what you always say.”
Adrian flinched.
Three years ago, she had believed every promise he made.
Now, every promise sounded like another lie.
Victor watched them with unmistakable satisfaction.
Then he said quietly, “Be careful, Elena. Sometimes the person protecting you is the person you should fear most.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Get out.”
Victor finally turned toward the door.
But before leaving, he glanced at Elena.
“Ask him why he never told you about the Blackwood agreement.”
Elena frowned.
“What agreement?”
Adrian’s face changed.
Victor smiled.
“Exactly.”
Then he walked out.
The door closed behind him.
Elena slowly turned toward Adrian.
“What agreement?”
Adrian rubbed a hand over his face.
“Victor is trying to confuse you.”
“Then explain.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Everything with you is complicated.”
“Elena—”
“No.”
She raised her hand.
“I don't want another excuse.”
Adrian stared at her.
For the first time since she had returned to his life, he looked genuinely afraid.
Not afraid for himself.
Afraid of losing her again.
“There was an agreement between my father and several business families,” he finally said.
“What kind of agreement?”
“One that involved the company.”
“And me?”
Adrian hesitated.
Elena’s heart sank.
“Adrian.”
“It involved your family too.”
She stared at him.
“My family?”
“Yes.”
“My parents never told me anything.”
“They didn't know everything.”
Elena took a step backward.
“What exactly was my family involved in?”
Adrian approached her slowly.
“I need time to explain.”
“You had three years.”
His jaw tightened.
“I know.”
“No. You don't.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“You don't know what those three years were like.”
Adrian said nothing.
“You don't know how many nights I wondered what I did wrong.”
“Elena—”
“I thought I wasn't enough.”
His expression broke.
“I thought maybe you had fallen out of love with me because I wasn't the woman you wanted.”
“You were never the problem.”
“Then why did you make me believe I was?”
Adrian couldn't answer.
Because there was no answer that could erase the damage.
Elena wiped away a tear.
“I want to leave.”
Adrian immediately shook his head.
“Not tonight.”
She stared at him.
“Excuse me?”
“The people threatening you know where you are.”
“Then I'll go somewhere else.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
“I do.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“What?”
Adrian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box.
Elena's breathing stopped.
For a moment, she thought she knew what was inside.
But then Adrian opened it.
There was no ring.
Instead, there was a small silver key.
Elena frowned.
“What is that?”
“A key.”
“To what?”
“A place where they can't reach you.”
She stared at him.
“Where?”
“My private estate outside the city.”
“I don't need your protection.”
“This isn't about protection.”
“Then what is it about?”
Adrian looked directly into her eyes.
“Trust.”
Elena almost laughed.
“Trust?”
“Yes.”
“You want me to trust you after everything?”
“No.”
His answer surprised her.
“I want you to have a choice.”
He placed the box on the table.
“The estate is yours.”
Elena stared at him.
“What?”
“I transferred ownership this morning.”
Her eyes widened.
“You can't be serious.”
“I am.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because three years ago, I took your choice away from you.”
Her lips parted.
“I decided what was best for you. I decided you would be safer without me. I decided you needed to hate me.”
His voice became quieter.
“I won't make that mistake again.”
Elena looked at the key.
“You're giving me a house?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“A way out.”
She looked up.
“If you want to leave this city, you can. If you want to stay, you can. If you want nothing to do with me, I'll respect it.”
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Because I love you.”
The words hung between them.
Simple.
Painful.
Honest.
Elena's eyes filled again.
Adrian continued.
“I loved you when I asked you for a divorce.”
She closed her eyes.
“I loved you when you signed those papers.”
A tear slid down her cheek.
“I loved you every day after you left.”
“Stop.”
“I never stopped.”
“Adrian, please.”
“I know you don't believe me.”
He swallowed.
“But I'm done lying.”
Elena opened her eyes.
“You said you didn't love me.”
“I lied.”
“You said our marriage was convenient.”
“I lied.”
“You said I was never the woman you wanted.”
“I lied.”
She shook her head.
“Why should I believe you now?”
“Because this time, you don't have to.”
She stared at him.
“You can walk away.”
Silence.
Then Elena whispered,
“And if I stay?”
Adrian's eyes softened.
“Then I'll spend the rest of my life proving that you made the right choice.”
Her heart betrayed her.
For three years, she had imagined hearing those words.
But now that they were finally spoken, they hurt more than she expected.
Because loving him had never been the difficult part.
Trusting him was.
That night, Elena couldn't sleep.
She stood on the balcony of the guest room, staring at the city lights.
Her fingers closed around the silver key.
The estate.
A way out.
A choice.
She wasn't sure whether Adrian had given her freedom or another reason to stay.
A knock came at the door.
She turned.
Mia entered.
“You're still awake?”
Elena smiled weakly.
“Apparently.”
Mia noticed the key.
“What is that?”
“Elena's newest mystery.”
Mia raised an eyebrow.
“That's Adrian's handwriting.”
“He gave me a house.”
Mia froze.
“He gave you what?”
“A house.”
“Your ex-husband is giving you houses now?”
Elena sighed.
“I don't know what he's trying to do.”
Mia walked closer.
“Maybe he's trying to win you back.”
“He can't just buy forgiveness.”
“I know.”
Elena looked toward the window.
“But I think he's finally telling me the truth.”
Mia became serious.
“Do you still love him?”
Elena didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Mia already knew.
“That's dangerous.”
“I know.”
“Then be careful.”
“I will.”
A sudden vibration came from Elena's phone.
She looked down.
Unknown number.
A message appeared.
DON'T TRUST HIM.
Another message arrived.
THE AGREEMENT WAS MADE BEFORE YOUR WEDDING.
Elena's stomach tightened.
Then a third message appeared.
ASK ADRIAN WHY YOUR FATHER DIED.
Her face went pale.
Mia noticed immediately.
“What happened?”
Elena slowly handed her the phone.
Mia read the messages.
Her expression changed.
“Your father?”
Elena's voice was barely audible.
“My father died when I was seventeen.”
“I know.”
“They said it was an accident.”
Mia looked at her.
“And now?”
Elena stared at the message.
“Now someone is telling me it wasn't.”
Before Mia could respond, the bedroom door suddenly opened.
Adrian stood there.
“What happened?”
Elena turned toward him.
Her eyes were cold.
“Did my father die because of you?”
Adrian stopped.
The color drained from his face.
“Elena…”
“Answer me.”
He looked at the phone in Mia's hand.
Then at Elena.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
That silence was enough.
Elena stepped toward him.
“You knew.”
Adrian's eyes closed briefly.
“I knew there were questions about his death.”
“Questions?”
“There was an investigation.”
“You never told me.”
“You were seventeen.”
“I was your wife!”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“Again?”
Her voice broke.
“That's always your answer.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“This isn't what you think.”
“Then tell me what it is.”
He looked at her.
“My father knew your father.”
Elena froze.
“What?”
“They were partners.”
“In what?”
Adrian hesitated.
“The Blackwood agreement.”
Her heart began pounding.
“What agreement?”
Adrian took a breath.
“The agreement that started everything.”
Suddenly, the lights in the mansion went out.
Mia gasped.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Then came a sound from downstairs.
A gunshot.
BANG!
Elena screamed.
Adrian immediately grabbed her and pulled her behind him.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Elena, stay behind me.”
Another gunshot echoed through the mansion.
Security alarms began screaming.
Adrian pulled out his phone.
“Lock the door.”
“But you—”
“I'll be back.”
He disappeared into the hallway.
Elena stared after him.
For the first time, she realized something terrifying.
The threats weren't outside.
They had already found their way inside.
And whoever was hunting her knew exactly where she was.
Her phone vibrated again.
One final message appeared.
YOU ASKED ABOUT THE AGREEMENT.
Then another.
NOW ASK ADRIAN WHAT HE PROMISED YOUR FATHER.
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