Chapter 44. The Ice Cream Promise
537 Words
The next day, Adrian found himself thinking about something unusual.
A promise.
A promise he had made to Isabella.
Inside his office, Luca stood across from him reviewing schedules.
“Sir, your afternoon meeting with the French investors starts at three.”
Adrian barely looked up.
“Move it to tomorrow.”
Luca blinked.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
Luca almost thought he had heard wrong.
Adrian De Luca never rescheduled meetings.
“Very well, sir.”
A few hours later, Adrian's black luxury car stopped outside Elena's mansion.
Inside, Isabella was helping Nina decorate cupcakes while Elena reviewed sketches for Belléna's new luxury collection.
The doorbell rang.
When a maid opened the door, she froze.
“Miss Elena... Mr. De Luca is here.”
Elena looked up immediately.
“What?”
A moment later Adrian entered carrying two large bags filled with ice cream, chocolates, and toys.
Even Elena looked surprised.
“What are you doing here?”
Adrian remained calm.
“I made a promise.”
Just then Isabella ran into the living room.
Her eyes immediately widened.
“Mr. Adrian!”
For some reason, hearing her call him that made him smile slightly.
“I brought your ice cream.”
“Really?!”
Within seconds Isabella was excitedly exploring the bags.
Camilla, who happened to be visiting, almost choked on her coffee.
“Did Adrian De Luca just buy toys?”
Nina looked equally shocked.
Meanwhile Elena crossed her arms.
“You didn't have to do this.”
“I know.”
Yet he did it anyway.
While Isabella happily ate ice cream, Adrian quietly watched her.
She reminded him of someone.
The way she smiled.
The way she tilted her head when thinking.
Even her stubbornness.
Something felt familiar.
Dangerously familiar.
Meanwhile upstairs in the De Luca mansion, Sofia was furious.
She had just learned from one of the guards that Adrian had personally gone to visit Elena.
Again.
Her hands tightened around her phone.
“Why is he spending time with that woman?”
Mrs. De Luca frowned.
“You're overreacting.”
“No, Mother.”
For the first time, genuine fear appeared in Sofia's eyes.
“He's changing.”
Back at Elena's mansion, Isabella suddenly climbed onto Adrian's lap without warning.
Everyone froze.
Especially Adrian.
The little girl held up a drawing proudly.
“Look!”
Adrian looked down.
It was a picture of Elena, Isabella, and... him.
Standing together holding hands.
His chest tightened unexpectedly.
“Who is this?” he asked softly.
“You,” Isabella answered innocently.
The room became silent.
Even Elena froze.
“Why did you draw me there?”
Isabella smiled brightly.
“Because you're nice now.”
The simple answer somehow hit harder than it should have.
For a brief moment, Adrian found himself staring at the drawing.
A strange warmth spread through him.
A warmth he hadn't felt in years.
And for the first time—
The thought of leaving didn't appeal to him at all.
Meanwhile, standing near the window, Camilla watched everything carefully.
Then she smiled to herself.
Because whether Adrian knew it or not—
He was already becoming attached to the very people he should never have lost.
- Writer
