My breath caught; blood drained from my face. My lips quivered. The world spun. My signature stared back at me, bold and undeniable. My gaze scanned through the paper.
By the time I finished reading, I was already gasping for breath.
"No, it can't be possible. It can't be," I murmured.
I tried to piece together the events of the previous day, but it was blank.
I only recalled the engagement that finally turned into my sister's engagement.
My heart tightened as the pains of betrayal came crashing on me again; its cut felt fresh and dripping with blood.
My fist clenched tightly on the blanket, my breath ragged.
Adrian sat quietly beside me, his gaze trained on me. He was quiet, and I didn't know what he might be thinking.
At the moment, that didn't matter in any way.
Just then, a familiar ringtone snapped me out of my thoughts.
I glanced around, searching for it on the bed I was seated on, but then I saw it stretched out before me.
I grabbed the phone without uttering any thank you.
Besides, I was still furious that he had let an intoxicated lady sign a marriage agreement. Isn't it clear he had a purpose?
A glance at the phone left me with the taste of a bitter pill, rage coursing through every part of my being.
With a slide across the screen, the faux sweet voice of my sister filtered through the speaker.
"Stella, are you okay? You didn't come back last night?" Her voice was so soft that I wished she were closer so I could give her a slap.
"Phina, shed the pretence. What is the problem?" I asked coldly.
"Stella…" Her voice was sickeningly sweet.
"I guess you might be shocked after last night's, but you should have seen this coming. You are just an adopted daughter and will in no way compete with me for anything."
My breath ragged with fury I couldn't find space to unleash.
"Phina… you shouldn't be cocky. He jilted me for you; he might as well jilt you for another," I smirked.
I wished so much to see my sister's face turn sour. With her brief pause, I was certain she had her insecurities about Bruce. "Maybe you should prepare for the worst," I concluded.
"Stella, you can't do anything!" Phina screamed across the phone that I had to take it away from my ear to save my eardrum.
"Maybe you never knew, your pics… are all out there." she said. My heart grew colder, yet it raced. "My pics?" I asked.
"Well, your pics, of course. Maybe you might want to take a look, dear sister," she laughed menacingly, and before I could say anything more, she ended the call.
I stared at the phone in shock, her words reverberating in my ears. "My pics? What pics?" I murmured.
"It wasn't your pics; it was doctored and had been taken care of," Adrian's voice cut through my thoughts.
I lifted my head slowly to meet his gaze, my brow furrowing. "It wasn't my pics? How did you know?"
He shrugged, his face not giving away his thoughts.My gaze locked on him, my thoughts spinning, Phina's taunting words echoing in my head.
After a brief thought, I made a decision. I would make them all bow to my feet.
As though he could read my mind, his hand stretched out, pulling me into his embrace.
His heartbeat echoed in my ears, hard and steady. "If you want, we can make them pay…pay heavily for every pain you have experienced."
I took a deep breath, my heart racing at the offer. This was an opportunity, a chance to strike back, a chance to prove my worth.
I wouldn't deny I was tempted, yet I worried, worried he might not be the help I needed.
As an adopted child, I had nothing of my own and had been treated like a slave in the Norton family.
"Trust me," he murmured, his breath fanning my nape; my skin burned with desire at his touch.
I exhaled deeply and lifted my gaze to meet his. "I don't remember how we ended up getting married… but I'm willing to give it a try," I said, my voice springing out barely as a whisper.
With my signature boldly signed and with the need to start anew, I dared not accuse him anymore.
He might be my undoing, but with so much going on, I have to take this bold step.
I felt his body relax, his hand tightening around me.
***
With my decision made, I pulled away from him. My gaze boring into his, my heart raced. Was it fear, excitement…I couldn't quite decipher; but I have to admit, I felt attracted to him.
But then, an unexpected marriage tie, just when my fiancé left me for another lady, left me overwhelmed.
Calmly, I took in his features which were quite distinct and peculiar. His eyes were cold with the rage of a storm howling inside, I found myself drawn in to them.
"I have to go back home," I said softly.
Adrian nodded. His expression was unreadable to me then.
"I think I might be spending some time with them." He nodded again, I got stumped.
"Aren't you saying anything?" I asked.
I felt it odd that he could only nod without uttering a word. From his features, I doubted he was so simple or obedient just to nod at every word.
"What did you want me to say?" he muttered.
"Anything," I said, a tinge of frustration in my voice.
"I have no problem with your arrangement; I can always come and get you," he said, a cold smirk playing on his lips.
"Come and get me?" I asked in astonishment.
I was certain that aside from my name, I might not have said any other thing about myself.
"How then was he so sure he could come and get me?"
"Get me from where?"
My heart raced; though the Norton family was popular in Crown City, I doubted he would have known where it was.
Or understood my story as the unfavoured, adopted second daughter whose fiancé just dumped and engaged her sister.
But wait, "Isn't it possible, he had approached me for a purpose?"
"Did he investigate me?"
I sighed helplessly. With my reputation as just a worthless second daughter with no commercial value, definitely, I should be the wrong candidate for his purpose, right?
My thoughts warred within me. Adrian sighed faintly, the helplessness in his tone left me wondering.
"You don't have to think that I approached you for any reason," he muttered, tossing away the blanket from his body as he left the bed. A tremor of rage etched in his voice.
I was stumped as I stared at him. "Did he just counter what I was thinking?" My heart raced.
"Wait, was that tremor a proof he was angry?" I thought to myself.
I had felt it like a storm course through my veins before it calmed. I sighed helplessly. "Stella, you must be hallucinating, okay."
Taking a deep, calming breath, I urged my heart not to bother about his mood and focus on the matter at hand — my plans for returning to the Norton family.
Thinking back to the incidents at the banquet, Linda's subtle warning, my sister's taunting calls just moments ago and my mother's silence, I made a few mental analyses of the situation.
It had long been planned. But then, I would have preferred Bruce to inform me rather than have me embarrassed, insulted and humiliated before Crown City.
Called a whore? He really needs to have a taste of what a whore really meant.
Pictures doctored to prove me dirty…I guess there's a need to keep them trending.
But then, I need to go home to get them done and Adrian—I need to find out if he could help me.
With Adrian out of the room, I took time to study the spacious bedroom; it was bathed in splendour and wealth.
After a while, Adrian came out with a towel wrapped around his waist, his head dripping with water, his skin letting out steam.
My cheeks flushed as my eyes trailed down his features. Broad shoulders, lean waist, toned muscles. I sighed.
"You take a bath; the driver will send you home, but you can't stay for long," he smirked.
I nodded. "Is this…this…your home?" I asked skeptically.
Adrian raised his brow. "Not up to your taste?" he clipped.
"What?" I asked in surprise.
"Is it not up to your taste?" He repeated, meeting my gaze.
My cheeks flushed. I shook my head with all seriousness, my eyes darted around the room again.
How dare I say it's not up to my taste when I lived in a space just a little over a storage unit in Norton's home.
And even if it's not up to my taste, I guess I have to make do with it. I still needed time to adjust to this whole marriage setting.
But now, I have to go home and give Phina and Bruce something to think about before and after their wedding.
I sighed and scrambled out of the bed, clutching tightly at the night dress which had barely covered my body. I couldn't help but wonder how he got it.
I was certain I had left the engagement without any of that. Or was one of his numerous girlfriends? I doubt a handsome prince like him wouldn't have butterflies around him.
As soon as my feet landed on the floor, I drew a sharp, deep breath; my body was really aching.
I dare not imagine how wild the night had been; maybe not having a recollection of last night was for the best.
Adrian paused briefly, his eyes narrowing. "Are you okay?" he asked.
I nodded immediately while I forced my leg toward the bathroom for a bath.
By the time I was out of the bathroom, Adrian stood at the foot of the bed well dressed in a pristine charcoal suit, his features cold and domineering.
A new dress was laid on the bed, and a few makeup kits.
I was exceptionally thankful for the makeup kits since there were several strawberry marks left on my fair skin that I needed to conceal.
"Come downstairs for breakfast when you are ready," he said before he left the room.
Within a short time, I stood before a full-length mirror; a soft gasp tore through my lips. There's no doubt that the pain of betrayal hadn't done me much harm.
Maybe it's because I found solace in another man's arm, or was it the alcohol from last night.
Whatever the reason was, I am exceptionally grateful, at least that should be the beginning of my revenge against them.
I knew my sister would definitely be anxious to see a lady brimming with pain, disappointment and tears. A lady cowering with shame and rejection.
My pain would have been their happiness, a sight they would want to see so much but I have decided to turn the table around… I wouldn't let them be happy.
Seeing me glamorous with all smiles should be the best revenge, a sight that would definitely make her eyes pop out, heart clench, her spirit damp and her soul wary.
And my ex-fiancé, I would make him wish to turn back time, to come asking for a chance and to swear his promise of leaving behind his bride.