Chapter Ten (Continued):
772 Words
Feelings Neither Expected
Adrian's fingers tightened around the black envelope.
Amelia couldn't take her eyes off him.
"What truth?" she repeated.
The hallway fell silent.
Even the security officers exchanged uneasy glances before quietly stepping back to give them privacy.
Adrian slipped the envelope into the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
"It isn't the right time."
Amelia stared at him in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding."
"I'll explain when I can."
"When you can?" she echoed. "Someone just broke into your office, left a message for me, and you're telling me to wait?"
"It's complicated."
"No, Adrian." She shook her head. "You're making it complicated."
She turned and walked away before he could stop her.
Amelia locked herself inside her bedroom.
Her heart ached.
She wasn't angry because someone had broken into the mansion.
She was angry because Adrian still didn't trust her.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Amelia."
She recognized his voice immediately.
"I'm tired."
"I know."
"Then please leave."
Several seconds passed.
Finally, Adrian spoke again.
"I've spent most of my life believing that keeping people at a distance was the only way to protect them."
She remained silent.
"But you deserve better than silence."
Her hand rested on the doorknob.
Slowly, she opened the door.
Adrian stood in the hallway, looking more exhausted than she had ever seen him.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard.
"I don't need an apology," Amelia replied softly.
"I need honesty."
He nodded.
"And you'll have it."
"When?"
"Soon."
She sighed.
"You always say 'soon.'"
"I know."
For the first time since they had met, Adrian looked frustrated with himself.
"I just need a little more time."
Amelia studied him carefully.
She wanted to stay angry.
Instead...
She saw a man carrying a burden too heavy to share.
"I'll give you that time," she said.
"But no more lies."
"I promise."
The next morning, Adrian canceled all of his meetings.
Victoria was shocked.
"Sir, the board has been waiting for weeks."
"They can wait one more day."
"And your meeting in London?"
"Postpone it."
Victoria smiled knowingly.
"This is about Mrs. Blackwood."
Adrian didn't deny it.
"She comes first."
Victoria blinked in surprise.
In all the years she had worked for Adrian Blackwood...
She had never heard him say those words about anyone.
After breakfast, Adrian found Amelia in the greenhouse arranging white lilies.
"You really do love flowers."
She smiled without looking up.
"They don't pretend to be something they're not."
He understood the meaning behind her words.
"I'm trying."
"I know."
He stepped closer.
"I have something for you."
He handed her a small wooden box.
Amelia opened it carefully.
Inside was a delicate silver bracelet with a tiny flower charm.
"It's beautiful."
"It belonged to my mother."
Amelia looked up immediately.
"Adrian..."
"She always believed flowers represented hope."
Her eyes widened.
"I can't accept something so personal."
"I want you to."
She gently traced the charm with her fingertip.
"Thank you."
Without thinking, she hugged him.
Adrian froze.
Then, slowly, he wrapped his arms around her.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither wanted to let go.
From the doorway, Mrs. Wilson quietly smiled before slipping away without disturbing them.
That evening, the peace didn't last.
Victoria rushed into the mansion carrying another report.
"Sir!"
Adrian immediately stood.
"What happened?"
"Our cybersecurity team recovered footage from one of the estate cameras."
"And?"
Victoria placed a tablet on the table.
"The intruder wasn't alone."
The video played.
A hooded figure searched Adrian's office while another person stood outside keeping watch.
Just before leaving, the second figure looked directly into the camera.
Although the face was partly hidden...
One detail was unmistakable.
A silver serpent tattoo on the person's neck.
Adrian's expression darkened.
"I know that symbol."
Amelia looked at him.
"You've seen it before?"
"Years ago."
"Who are they?"
He drew a slow breath.
"A group I hoped I'd never encounter again."
Before Amelia could ask another question, Adrian's phone rang.
He answered immediately.
"Blackwood."
A frightened voice spoke from the other end.
It was the doctor treating Evelyn Carter.
"Mr. Blackwood... someone tried to enter Mrs. Carter's hospital room."
Adrian's blood ran cold.
"Is she safe?"
"Yes. Security stopped the intruder before he reached her."
Adrian looked at Amelia.
She had heard every word.
Fear filled her eyes.
"My mother..."
Adrian took her hand firmly.
"I won't let anything happen to her."
But deep inside...
He realized the enemy had changed tactics.
If they couldn't get to Amelia...
They would go after the people she loved most.
End of Chapter Ten
- Writer
