Three Years as His Kept Woman

Chapter 2 The Real One Returns

The moment the words left Adrian's mouth, stunned looks spread across the room. Soon, however, those looks shifted toward Lucia. Some people showed sympathy, others mocked her, but most simply watched with the amused curiosity reserved for a spectacle.

"Didn't Adrian adore Lucia? He even stopped seeing other women for her. What happened? Did he get bored?"

"You didn't know? The one he truly loves is Vivian. Lucia is just a substitute. Now that the real one is back, who would still want the imitation?"

Whispers layered over one another until the entire room buzzed with speculation. Adrian, however, showed no intention of backing down. Instead, he stepped forward and shielded Vivian firmly behind him.

Pointing at the man lying on the floor, he snapped, "Who do you think you are, touching her?"

The man looked up and recognized Adrian's face. The arrogance on his expression vanished instantly.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cross. I didn't know she is yours. Please forgive me." He began slapping his own face repeatedly.

"Get lost," Adrian said coldly. "Don't let me see you again."

The man scrambled away without another word.

Adrian immediately turned back to Vivian. Her eyes were already brimming with grateful tears as she threw herself into his arms.

"Adrian, I knew you still cared about me."

Lucia had no interest in watching the scene any longer. She ignored the whispers around her. In any case, she would be leaving the country next month and would never have to attend gatherings like this again.

Right now, only one thought occupied her mind.

Since Adrian had stopped pretending and rushed forward to protect the woman he truly loved, did that mean she could clock out early tonight?

After all, Vivian had scraped her arm during the scuffle and was bleeding quite a bit. Adrian would definitely take her to the hospital. Lucia could simply slip away.

But Adrian refused to let her leave and insisted she come along.

With no other choice, Lucia got into the car. She sat in the front seat while Adrian and Vivian occupied the back. Adrian carefully examined Vivian's injured arm.

"This is my fault," he said softly. "I moved too suddenly earlier and hurt you."

Vivian leaned against his shoulder, looking perfectly content.

"I'm fine. As long as you still care about me, that's enough."

When they arrived at the hospital, Lucia followed them upstairs. Adrian accompanied Vivian into the treatment room while she waited alone in the corridor.

Lucia opened her mobile banking app. Only after seeing the balance did her mood improve slightly.

Northbridge Institute of Technology had been her dream school since childhood. Being admitted to its graduate program this time was the result of countless sleepless nights spent studying.

Before that, she had taken a part-time job at a nightclub to earn extra money. That was where she had met Adrian.

Thinking about it now, that encounter happened shortly after Vivian left the country. Adrian had been devastated at the time, drinking himself into oblivion night after night. He noticed Lucia immediately and began pursuing her relentlessly.

During that period, flowers and gifts arrived almost every day. Even when she went to school, Adrian would personally drive her there and pick her up afterward, rain or shine. The day he confessed, the Starlight Tower broadcast his declaration of love for an entire month.

For the sake of money, Lucia eventually agreed to be with him.

She had heard that Adrian was a notorious playboy and worried he might grow tired of her quickly. That was why she enrolled in finishing school, determined to become the perfect companion.

For the past three years, she had dutifully played the role of his mistress. In private, she made him reluctant to leave her bed. In public, she made sure he always looked impeccable.

Everything she did had a single goal: earning enough money for studying abroad.

Now there was only one month left before the agreement between them expired. When that day came, she would leave.

She only needed to endure one more month.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, Lucia heard Adrian's voice from inside the room.

"Since your injury isn't serious, I should go. Lucy is waiting for me."

Vivian immediately grabbed his hand.

"Can't you stay with me? Just one night."

Adrian pulled his hand away without hesitation.

"I don't want Lucy to misunderstand."

Afterward, he took Lucia home.

That was the moment Lucia truly stopped understanding him.

Later that night, as they lay in bed, Adrian wrapped both arms around her and looked at her with unusual tenderness.

"Don't overthink things. The one I like is you."

Lucia froze. Just as she was about to respond, Adrian's phone suddenly rang.

It was a message from Vivian. There was only a video attached.

Lucia leaned over and glanced at the screen.

In the video, several empty bottles were scattered around Vivian. She held a knife against her wrist while crying uncontrollably.

"Adrian, I can't live without you."

Adrian did not hesitate for even a second. He jumped out of bed, threw on his clothes, and rushed out the door without looking back.

Lucia stared blankly at his departing figure. Only after the door slammed shut did she come back to her senses.

From the moment he left until he disappeared, Adrian had not explained a single word to her.