Chapter 5: Already His

JULIET

“Guess what, Juliet? Adrian just called me,” Andrew said happily, walking toward me. “He wants to come over for dinner to see if I was exaggerating about what a great cook you are.”

I gave a brief nod. I was already expecting it. Before we left yesterday, Adrian had mentioned dinner again, so I had spent the day shopping for the vegetables needed to prepare his favorite dish.

At the estate, I had noticed how he finished his plate of pasta and immediately asked for seconds. Grandma had even teased that she won his heart as a little boy by making him pasta and scrambled eggs, and from that day on, she became his favorite. I didn't know if I was cooking this out of gratitude or something else entirely, but that was the exact meal I was preparing right now.

“Gosh, Juliet, you’re so smart!” Andrew exclaimed. “I was just about to tell you to make pasta, but look at you—already on it. That’s why I love you.”

I said nothing, silently continuing to chop the vegetables.

A heavy silence settled between us, and before I could process what he was doing, Andrew moved up behind me. His hands wrapped around my waist, and my entire body froze as a wave of pure revulsion swept through me. The memory of his affair with Sofia came rushing back like ice water.

His cold hand slipped under my top, touching my bare skin. The sudden contact made my body jerk.

“You’re still like this... so sensitive, just like the first time we were together,” he murmured, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck.

My hand tightened around the handle of the knife. I tried to stay still, but the moment his palm cupped my breast, I shoved him away with everything I had.

His eyes widened in shock, our gazes locking in a tense silence. If this were my usual self, I would have turned off the gas and let him thrust for a couple of minutes before pulling out, leaving me aching and forced to use my own fingers later. But I couldn't do it today.

“What’s wrong with you, Juliet?” he snapped.

I swallowed hard, blinking back my frustration. “Can we do this later tonight? Let me just focus on the food. It’d be embarrassing if your brother teased you for bragging when the meal is burnt,” I explained softly.

His brow furrowed as he processed my words, and after a second, he nodded in approval and stepped out of the kitchen.

In less than an hour, I finished cooking, took a quick bath, and changed into a simple floral dress. I sat down at the dining table to wait.

A moment later, the bedroom door opened upstairs, and Andrew came walking down.

“He’s already here,” he whispered to me.

My heart began to race. Andrew walked over to the front door and pulled it open, stepping outside to meet him while I quickly arranged the table.

A few minutes later, the door opened again, and they both walked in.

My heart dropped.

Adrian was dressed casually in a black shirt and matching sweatpants. Right away, I caught sight of a striking snake tattoo winding up his right arm—I hadn't noticed it yesterday under his suit jacket.

His eyes scanned the room before landing on me, a small smile flashing across his lips that made me swallow a dry lump in my throat.

“I'm really happy to have you here. Please, sit,” Andrew said, gesturing to the seat across from me before pulling out his own chair beside mine.

I kept my expression calm, but my entire body was burning. I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes—those blue eyes were far too dangerous.

“Please, make yourself comfortable,” I blurted out, sliding an empty plate toward him. I didn't trust myself to serve him without giving everything away; my hands were shaking so noticeably it was embarrassing.

“Are you kidding me right now? Serve him,” Andrew snapped under his breath.

“It's fine, bro, I can get it myself,” Adrian interrupted smoothly. “Thank you, sister-in-law."

I swallowed hard and nodded. We all began to eat, though I could feel Andrew's sharp disappointment radiating from beside me. But I didn't care. Seeing Adrian eat my food with the exact same expression of satisfaction I used to crave from Andrew was more than enough.

“You know what, sister-in-law? From now on, you're mine,” Adrian said casually, taking another bite.

My heart sank, and I almost choked on my food. Has he completely lost his mind?

“My goodness, Juliet, what is wrong with you today?” Andrew snapped, clearly annoyed.

Before I could answer, a glass of water was pushed into my space by Adrian. I grabbed it desperately, taking a fast gulp.

Wait... did Andrew really not catch the meaning behind that, or am I the only one making a big deal out of it?

In what felt like an eternity, we finished the meal. Adrian mentioned that he was finally settling down here in New Mexico and had already secured a job. Andrew asked him to come work with him at the corporate headquarters, but Adrian declined, saying he wanted to pursue his own dreams instead. Andrew dropped the subject, but I couldn't help wondering what those dreams were.

My only dream right now was keeping my mother alive.

When it was time for him to leave, Andrew and I walked Adrian out to his car. The two brothers exchanged a firm hug.

“We'll catch up soon, brother,” Andrew said, patting Adrian on the back. They really seemed to love each other.

As they pulled apart, Adrian shifted his gaze to me.

“Thanks for the meal, sister-in-law. I loved it,” he said softly, stepping closer to pull me into a hug.

My heart dropped, and I shot a terrified glance at Andrew, but he only chuckled, shaking his head in amusement at his brother's friendliness.

Then, Adrian’s lips brushed right against the shell of my ear, his voice dropping to a low whisper:

“I wasn't joking, little Juliet... you are mine now.”

Everything inside me froze, my eyes widening in total shock.