CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: The Woman in His Bed, The Child at The Door

JULIAN'S POV

Adele’s stubbornness can be attractive.

The way she folds her arms and pouts when she wants to get her way–just like she's doing now. But she won't win this time.

“It's not up for discussion, Ads.” I stood my ground.

“You can't control me!” Her voice rose.

“Your things are in my room already. You're staying with me”

I don't understand why she wants to fight me on this.

“You almost died, Ads. And if I hadn't gotten to you in time…God, I still see you lying there” images of her body sprawled on the marble floor crossed my mind and I shuddered inwardly.

I wheeled her into the foyer and crouched in front of her. The house was oddly quiet.

“Look at me.”

She turned away.

“I'm not staying with you, Julian. I can take care of myself”

“That's exactly how you got in this situation in the first place.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. Despite my frustration, I had the urge to cup her puffy face in my hands and smother her with kisses. She's so annoying I just might scream.

“You can't make me stay with you, Julian” she pouted and raised an eyebrow.

My eyes lingered on her lips and a deep hunger burned in my stomach. I tore my eyes away and focused on her face, but I was already far gone.

“Oh yeah? Who's gonna stop me? You? You can't even stand on your feet”

Low blow, but it brought a wry smile to her face.

Her eyes locked onto mine. Her jaw clenched like she was trying to hold herself together–trying not to let me see how much she needed this too.

I didn't move, scared to ruin the fragile moment.

She snapped her eyes away and stared at her feet, leaving my heart aching and pulsing.

I wondered if she heard the words I said to her in the car, but didn't bring it up.

I tried to remind myself that this was nothing but a contract, but we're way past that now. I cannot imagine my house without the pitter patter of her bare feet slapping against the floors.

She sighed and looked up at me again.

“Okay. But I won't stay there forever. Just until I'm strong enough to be by myself”

I threw my hands up in surrender.

Baby steps, Julian.

“Of course. I wouldn't want you taking up all my bed space anyway”

She chuckled, a low melodious sound that echoed in my head.

“Bed space? You're taking the floor. I'm not rubbing bodies with your grimy ass”

I broke into a laugh, but she didn't even smile.

“Wait… seriously?”

She nodded slowly.

She waltzes into my life, takes all the space in my head, and now my bed too?

Damn this woman! She has me wrapped around her pinky finger at this point. I hate how I love it.

I wheeled her to the foot of the stairs. She shuddered visibly, her eyes fixated on the staircase.

“Not the stairs…”

My heart ached for her. Her face was pale and sweaty and her hands gripped the sides of the wheelchair nervously.

None of this would have happened if I was more attentive. More sober.

I knelt down in front of her.

Her eyes shifted to mine. They were big and moist with tears forming.

I reached out and placed my palm on her cheek. She leaned against it and closed her eyes. A tear escaped and rolled down her face slowly.

“Ads…baby” I cooed, feeling something wake inside me.

She opened her eyes.

“I won't let it happen again. I swear to you.” I could kill for this woman. Without a thought.

She nodded softly and reached up. She pulled my hand away and pressed her lips to it.

My breath caught and a knot formed in my throat.

I could feel something chip away at my walls, bit by bit.

Just then, the double doors swung open and all the oxygen was sucked out of the room.

Celeste stood there, purse in hand. Her hair–now jet black, cascaded down her leather jacket.

Leo stood by her side, hand in hers.

My jaw clenched and my walls came flying back up.

“Hey, kiddo” I called nervously but got no response. He regarded me calmly, restraint and hatred locked behind those innocent eyes.

Celeste bit her lip and placed a hand on her waist.

“Welcome home, Rivers” There was a hint of derision in her voice. I wasn't having any of it. Adele didn't need this.

“Good to be back, Laurent” Adele fired back, her eyes fixed on my face.

I put my poker face on and bent down to lift her into my arms.

“Auntie Dell?” Leo's voice held a tinge of worry.

Celeste snorted and shook her head.

“Don't worry, pumpkin. I'm okay. I just had a bad fall” Adele called over my shoulder as I carried her up the stairs.

Celeste’s eyes burned holes into my head all the way up the stairs.

The butler appeared at the top of the stairs.

“Mrs Hawthorne's things have all been moved into your room, sir” he bowed and held open my door.

“Seriously?” I heard Celeste scream and storm up the stairs as I pulled the covers over Adele’s shoulders. She purred and shut her eyes. I knew she was only putting on a brave face.

Bruised ribs hurt like hell. I remember the pain like it was yesterday, struggling to sit through classes knowing that my mom was trapped at home with my angry father.

I had tried to pull him off her, and he flung me into his bookshelf. It fell on me, but I still went to school that morning.

I closed my eyes and forced the memories to the back of my head. Celeste was at the door, yelling at the poor butler.

I bent to kiss Adele on the forehead, then I steeled myself to confront the demon in my home.

The door shut behind me. The butler scurried away, relieved by my presence.

Celeste looked ready to explode.

“Seriously, Julian? One silly fall and she’s in your room? You never let me in there until I was pregnant with your child!”

I flinched. I was kind of an asshole back then, and I still can't forgive myself for that. But that's all in the past now. She betrayed me. I don't owe her anything.

“Go to your room, Celeste. You're not getting a fight out of me today”

“You're choosing her over me? Over us!”

“No. I'm choosing her and my son over you. You don't deserve to be here. Leo is the only reason you're here, and soon I won't need you around anymore.”

My words struck her like precise blows. Her eyes widened. Her mouth opened and closed. Wordlessly, she brushed past me and half ran into her room. The door slammed behind her.

I felt no more pity for her. I could forgive her for hurting me, but when it comes to Adele, there were no take backs.

A figure moved in the hallway. Leo.

My heart skipped several beats. How long was he standing there? Did he hear everything?

He stepped into the light and my fears were confirmed. His face was wet with tears and his fists were clenched at his sides. His hatred for me hung in the air, choking me.

I couldn't speak. There was nothing left to say.

“I'm sorry…” but the words fell to the ground, too weak to reach beyond the hate.

He retreated and ran down the stairs.

Nice going, Julian. Failed as a husband, failing as a father.