Chapter 19

Adeline reached the limit of her patience. "Edward!"

Edward looked at her, his eyes rimmed with red, making her feel like a criminal.

Adeline sighed and changed the subject. "What are you doing wearing that white lab coat?"

Edward grinned. "From today on, I am your colleague. Are you happy?"

From that day forward, Edward followed Adeline like a shadow. He even moved out of the castle and bought the house right next to Adeline’s.

However, that very night, a soaking wet Edward knocked on her door.

"Adeline, the faucet is broken. Could you lend me your bathroom?"

"No." Adeline closed the door without expression.

Edward’s face fell instantly, but before he could even dwell on his sadness, a phone call broke the silence.

"Young Master, Miss Adeline’s ex-husband has arrived in Country A."

...

Habit is a terrifying thing. After more than a month of Edward’s relentless pursuit, Adeline could now calmly face his frequent and unpredictable confessions.

One day, Edward invited her to dinner. Adeline originally didn't want to go, but then she thought of how Edward would look at her with those piteous green eyes all day if she refused.

She gave in and resignedly got into the car Edward had sent for her.

The moment she stepped out of the car, Edward greeted her. "Adeline, you’re finally here."

Seeing him standing outside, Adeline asked, "Why didn't you wait for me inside?"

Edward’s eyes shone brightly. "Because I wanted to see you as soon as possible, of course."

Adeline was already used to his sweet talk. "Alright, let’s go in."

Edward offered his arm. "Adeline, take my arm."

Seeing the smile on his face, Adeline found it hard to refuse. Just as she was about to take his arm, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Adeline, is that you?"

Adeline turned around and stared fixedly at the person standing at the entrance. Her eyes filled with mist, and her fingers curled so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

She truly hadn't expected to see Dominic again so soon.

There was no joy of reunion, only a thick sense of dread swirling in her heart.

Beneath Dominic’s calm gaze lay a surging fury. He masked his emotions and spoke tenderly, "Baby, come here."

Adeline didn't move. Edward took a step forward, blocking her, and addressed Dominic rudely. "Sir, this is a private place. Please leave."

Dominic narrowed his eyes dangerously, scanning the taller Edward.

When rivals meet, their eyes blaze with enmity. Dominic felt a surge of unease; this man’s presence was in no way inferior to his own.

Edward’s expression didn't change as he clapped his hands dismissively. "Please escort this..."

He scanned Dominic up and down with disdain. "...this upstart out of here."

Before Dominic could struggle, he was tossed out.

Adeline stood dumbfounded, watching Dominic being hauled away like a small chick.

Edward was quite satisfied with his subordinates' efficiency. Turning back, he noticed Adeline staring in Dominic’s direction and frowned.

"Adeline, I don't like it when you stare at others." Edward blocked her view with a piteous expression.

Adeline rubbed her nose. "Let’s go. I’m hungry."

They were the only two people in the restaurant. Edward kept serving her food, the warm candlelight reflecting in his brilliant green eyes. The deep affection in his gaze felt like it could drown her.

In such a pleasant atmosphere, Adeline spoke to Edward for the first time about her failed relationship with Dominic.

She spoke of the panic she felt when first facing his betrayal, the provocations from Bianca, and the child she had lost...

Edward listened silently, his eyes full of compassion.

Eventually, Adeline grew tipsy and leaned into Edward’s embrace, repeatedly murmuring, "Edward..."

Looking at the woman in his arms, Edward felt a profound hatred for another human being for the first time. He wanted to destroy everyone who had ever hurt her.

The next morning, Adeline woke up. Above her were intricate Byzantine murals. As she moved, the silky sheets slipped from her body.

"Morning, sweetheart." Edward sat propped up on his hand, watching her.

Adeline’s eyes widened. "Why are you here?!"

Edward smiled shyly, his green eyes looking like Lake Baikal in spring. "Adeline, I am yours now."

————————————

In a daze, Adeline had spent the night with Edward. She avoided him for several days before finally leaving a note saying she was going away to clear her head.

Unexpectedly, she left the tiger's den only to enter the wolf's lair.

Dominic had already arranged for people to lurk around her. The moment Adeline left Edward’s side, she lost her protection.

Inside a villa.

Adeline was tied to a chair and blindfolded. In the darkness, someone walked in.

"Dominic, what exactly do you want?"

The blindfold was ripped off. Dominic’s eyes were bloodshot; he looked like he hadn't slept for a long time.

"Mr. Dominic went to such great lengths to kidnap me. What do you want to talk about?"

Dominic felt a tightness in his chest. "Don't call me that. I was wrong in the past. I know what Bianca did to you, and I’ve taken revenge for you."

Dominic detailed his methods of retribution. "Wife, I know you’ve always wanted a child. Let’s go back and have one, alright?"

Dominic looked incredibly fragile. "As long as you come back with me, I won't stop you from doing anything you want."

Adeline listened quietly, her heart completely untroubled, as if none of this had anything to do with her. Only when he mentioned a child did her heart sting for a fleeting moment.

"You aren't worthy." Adeline’s voice was exceptionally firm. "I will never go back with you. You should give up on that idea."

She watched his expression shift from hope to anger and finally to helplessness. No matter his reaction, she no longer cared.

Dominic stood frozen for a long time, the light in his eyes gradually fading. Adeline didn't want to look at him and turned her head away.

The next second, as if triggered, Dominic rushed over and tore open Adeline’s collar.

Densely packed hickeys, turning from red to purple, came into view. One could only imagine how intense the encounter between the two had been.

Dominic’s eyes practically spat fire, but he suppressed his rage and forced a smile. "Baby, was it that piece of trash who seduced you?"

Adeline replied, "It has nothing to do with you."

Dominic’s chest heaved violently as he barely managed to push down his anger. He caressed Adeline’s face, his tone like a lover's whisper. "Baby, it’s okay. I’ll just cover them again. Be good, I’ll be very gentle."

"We’ve been apart for so long; you must have missed me too, right?"

"I’ll be very gentle, baby..."

Seeing Dominic grow increasingly crazed, Adeline kicked him squarely in the lower body.

Dominic collapsed to the ground, his face showing a wounded expression of disbelief.

Adeline spoke with disgust, "I don't touch filth. Get out!"

Dominic had never been so humiliated. He suddenly grabbed Adeline’s ankle and began stroking upward inch by inch, his eyes full of obsession.

"Don't even think about leaving me in this lifetime!"

With a

bang

, the door was kicked open.

Edward fired a shot into Dominic’s hand. Dominic fell to the floor in pain, and when he looked up again, Adeline was already held tightly in Edward’s arms.

Ignoring the pain, Dominic glared with bloodshot eyes. "Who do you think you are? Let go of my wife!"

Edward frowned. "Noisy."

A subordinate immediately used force to dislocate Dominic’s jaw. Dominic slumped on the floor like a dead man.

Adeline took one look and calmly withdrew her gaze. "Let’s go."

Seeing her indifference toward others, Edward’s mood brightened. He swept Adeline up into his arms and left the room.

Lying in Edward’s embrace, Adeline felt the breadth and warmth of his chest. "How did you find me?"

Edward’s body stiffened as he carefully placed her in the car. After a long pause, he lowered his head and muttered, "You aren't allowed to be angry."

He shot a quick glance at her. "I put a tracker on you."

Adeline looked at him speechlessly. "Don't do it again."

Seeing that she wasn't angry, Edward tentatively took her hand. When she didn't resist, he squeezed it tight. "There won't be a next time."

From this day on, he would stay by her side every moment. He didn't want to be apart for even a second.

After returning, Edward kept asking Adeline for an official status. Finally, one afternoon while lying in his arms, Adeline kissed him as a sign of her agreement. That day, Edward couldn't stop grinning and even walked with his hands and feet out of sync.

The days passed one by one.

The next time Adeline heard news of Dominic, it was from a lawyer.

Dominic was dead, stabbed to death by Bianca.

He had been forcibly sent back home and restricted from leaving the country. Unable to find Adeline, he vented all his rage on Bianca. It was said that miserable screams echoed from the basement every day.

Finally, the tormented Bianca hid a small shard of glass and plunged it into the carotid artery in Dominic’s neck. Dominic was discovered the next morning by a servant bringing breakfast. He was rushed to the hospital but eventually died an agonizing death from suffocation.

By the time his body was cold, Bianca was beside him, her hands covered in blood, having completely lost her mind.

Adeline sat in the courtyard listening to the lawyer finish the tale. The lawyer handed over a document. "Miss Adeline, these are the assets Mr. Dominic left for you before he died. He insisted that you must accept them."

Adeline took a sip of milk. "Donate them."

The lawyer sighed and left.

Adeline lay on the lounge chair, her abdomen slightly bulging beneath the blanket. The sun felt warm on her skin, and she drifted off to sleep.

She didn't wake until a pair of arms carefully picked her up. It was a familiar scent. She snuggled closer, her heart at peace.

Edward looked at the woman in his arms, his eyes full of love. The sunlight was perfect—just right for a nap.

-The End-