CHAPTER TWELVE

Damien’s POV

It’s been three days since that night when I completely lost control of myself. Honestly, I still don’t know the right word to describe what happened. “Wild” maybe fits, but even that feels too simple. All I know for sure is that now, I feel calmer. I feel… okay.

For a while, I really believed Vince would stay out of my life forever. I thought I’d never have to see his face again. But then, fate had to prove me wrong. Running into him at the mall hit me like a wrecking ball. My whole body froze the second our eyes met, and suddenly, the memories came crashing back the pain, the betrayal, the nightmares.

If Adrian hadn’t been with me that day, I don’t know what I would’ve done. Somehow, with him by my side, even Vince’s presence couldn’t drag me all the way back into the past. Adrian gave me something else to hold on to. He was my anchor, pulling me away from drowning in those old wounds. I love him for that.

Just thinking about him now brings a smile to my face. I replay the last few days in my head, the little things he’s done, the way he looks at me. And I realize yeah, I’m lucky.

The sound of my office door opening pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Sir, the flowers have been delivered to Hale Inns,” Sam reported.

I nodded, grateful as always for his efficiency, and he left as quietly as he came.

Alone again, I stood up from my chair, pacing slowly across the room while holding my phone. My heart picked up its pace. I knew it was silly, but I couldn’t help it when Adrian called, it was the highlight of my day. And I was certain he’d call soon. I had sent him flowers again, after all. Just picturing his expression when he saw them made me grin like an idiot.

And right on cue, my phone buzzed. His name flashed across the screen. A wide smile spread across my face as I answered.

“A gorgeous, handsome, lady-killer is on the line. May I ask who’s calling?” I teased, my voice light with laughter.

From the other end, Adrian chuckled softly. The sound made my chest feel warm. “Oh please. You and that ego of yours…”

“You love it, admit it,” I shot back, unable to stop grinning.

“Whatever,” he muttered, and I could practically hear the blush in his tone. “I just wanted to thank you for the flowers… again.”

“Roses this time,” I said proudly.

He laughed. “Yeah. I was starting to think you’d fight the shopkeepers again if they only had tulips.”

I smirked. “It's not my fault they should know who their most important customer is.”

“You’re impossible,” he said, but his voice was soft, affectionate. Then he added, “You know, I actually liked the tulips.”

That made me pause. “You did? You don’t think roses are better?”

“Roses are… well, a bit cliché, don’t you think?” he said honestly.

I tilted my head, surprised. Most people swooned over roses. But Adrian wasn’t like most people.

“In that case,” I said smoothly, “you’ll be getting tulips from now on.”

“You don’t have to keep sending flowers,” he protested lightly. “My office already looks like a garden.”

“I’ll send them every day because I want to,” I said firmly, leaning back against my desk. “Besides, if the flowers remind you of me, then I’ve already won.”

“You really sound like a spoiled brat right now,” he teased.

I pouted instinctively, though he couldn’t see it. “Say whatever you like,  Wife.”

There was a pause. Silence filled the line, and suddenly, my chest tightened.

“Damien… I have a question.” His voice was quieter, more serious.

I gulped. “Go on.”

“Why do you call me ‘ Wife’?”

Relief washed over me. I’d been expecting something worse. “Because I can. You don’t like it?” I asked carefully.

“It just… sounds girly. Like you’re making me feminine.”

I laughed, clutching the phone tighter. “Oh, come on, hubby. Don’t be so sensitive.”

“I’m serious,” he insisted, probably blushing like mad. I could imagine his expression perfectly.

“Fine. You want the truth?” I asked, lowering my voice.

“Yes,” he said softly.

“Well… before I ever met you, I was looking for a wife,” I admitted. “Not a husband. A wife. That was the plan. But then you came along and everything turned upside down. The moment I saw your picture, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. When you barged into my office instead of your sister, something inside me just… shifted. I call you  Wife because you’re the one I’ve been waiting for all this time. It’s not about making you sound feminine. It’s about the role you’ve taken in my life. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll stop.”

There was silence again.

“Why were you looking for a wife?” he finally asked, dodging the heart of what I’d just confessed.

I sighed. “That’s a long story. One I’d rather tell you in person. Right now, let’s just stick to our little nickname conversation.”

He hesitated, then said, “I guess… It's fine.”

I smiled in relief, but something in his voice sounded different. He wasn’t as lighthearted as before. It almost felt… sad.

“ Wife? Are you okay?” I asked quickly.

“I’m fine,” he replied too fast. “I should get back to work. It’s piling up.”

And then, before I could say another word, the call disconnected.

I froze, staring at the phone. What just happened?

Without thinking twice, I stormed out of my office. Sam looked up in surprise.

“Sam, prepare the car. We’re going to Hale Inns. Now.”

Minutes later, we pulled up in front of Adrian’s office building. My chest tightened with every step until I reached his door and pushed it open.

He didn’t even look up. “Yes, Lauren? Stop standing there like a ” His words cut off as his eyes lifted and locked with mine. Shock flickered across his face, and then he quickly looked away.

“Oh… hubby. I didn’t expect you to be here.”

I walked toward him slowly, eyes narrowing. “Something’s wrong. You’re not telling me what it is.”

“N-no! I’m fine!” he stammered, forcing a laugh that rang hollow.

I stepped closer, pulled him out of his chair, and wrapped my arms tightly around him. He gasped at first, then melted against me, burying his face into my chest.

“Please, Adrian,” I whispered into his hair, kissing the top of his head. “Tell me what’s wrong. I feel so useless not knowing how to help you.”

For a moment, he didn’t say anything. His breathing was uneven. Then finally, he murmured against my chest, “I feel… used.”

The words cut through me. My brows knit together.

“Used? Adrian, why would you feel that way? Did I do something? Is this about me calling you  Wife?”

“No…” His voice cracked. “It’s just… You didn’t marry me because of love. You married me because of other reasons.”

I gently cupped his face, lifting it so he had to look at me. His eyes were filled with hurt, and my heart clenched. I leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his lips before whispering, “Listen to me. Yes, at first, I was following my grandfather’s demand. But that was before I met you. Everything changed the moment you stepped into my life. I married you because I love you, Adrian. Not because of contracts or money. I love you to the ends of the galaxy and back. This last week with you has been the best of my entire existence. Please… don’t ever think you’re just some toy I’ll throw away.”

His lips curved into a small smile, and then, unexpectedly, he giggled.

“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You called me Adrian Hale-Cross,” he said, blushing. “I like the sound of that.”

Relief and warmth flooded through me. I kissed his forehead, holding him tighter.

“Then Adrian Hale-Cross, let’s do things your way. If you want to hold off the wedding, we’ll wait. No rush.”

His eyes softened. “I’d like that. It’s not that I don’t want to marry you… I just don’t want it to be rushed.”

“Then it’s settled,” I said, smiling. “No contracts either. Just us.”

He looked shocked. “Are you serious?”

“I trust you,” I said simply. “Completely.”

And when he leaned in and kissed me softly, I knew he finally understood.