Chapter 4

Adrian’s POV

So much for another blind date. At this point, I needed Grandfather and Grandmother to stop with the matchmaking madness. Not everyone was meant to get married—especially not to someone who would eat what she knew she was allergic to just to impress me.

Ridiculous.

I stepped into the elevator, massaging my wrist, ignoring James who followed me inside. My irritation simmered. I had just paid the hospital bill and had to go see how she was doing.

Grandfather would hear from me. This was the last straw.

The door was almost closed when a feminine hand shoved it back open. I parted my lips to speak, but the woman storming in looked angrier than I was as she spoke to her partner who was seated on a wheelchair.

“Did you hear me?” She snapped, “You have to be strong. You cannot break down or back out."

She pushed the woman inside and hit the ground floor button.

James glanced at me. I shook my head. It's not like I was in a rush to see my blind date who was on the third floor.

"Ann, I already told you,” The woman in the wheelchair whispered, her voice weak and… familiar… too familiar. “I know what to do.”

She kept her chin low, hair hiding most of her face.

No matter how carefully I tried to look, I couldn’t see her face.

“I hope so, young lady. This is not the first time you claim you know what to do, Mira." The standing woman said sharply.

My breath caught.

Mira?

I stared harder at the bent figure in the chair.

“Do not let the money I spent on the divorce go to waste,” her friend continued, “Divorce the son of a bitch and be out of that house today!”

She didn't allow the lady on the wheelchair speak before she blurted out again,

“Two weeks, Mira. You've been in this hospital for two weeks and neither your so-called husband nor your sister visited, not once— even though they caused this. I do not want you making any more excuses for them. I want you out before they kill you."

I couldn’t stop myself.

“She's right, you know" I said.

Three heads snapped towards me. Even James stared at me in shock that I spoke.

But I was looking only at her.

She lifted her head and my heart stopped. My jaws clenched and a shiver ran through my entire being.

It was her.

But I didn't want to believe that it was the Mira I knew. Not the girl who laughed hard with those beautiful sets of teeth, blushed crazy when she speaks of her love, who has the most beautiful eyes.

Her eyes were now red and swollen, her skin pale, her lips cracked, she looked starved of sleep, starved of… peace and joy. She looked thin and malnourished.

With clenched jaws, my icy gaze darted to James, he swallowed and bowed his head.

Rearranging my thoughts, I forced my voice steady, “It is true. The best way to handle people like that is to leave them. There is nothing left to fix."

Her brows grew together, confusion flickering in those once-beautiful brown eyes. She parted her lips but no sound came out

I added quietly, "For people like that, revenge is best served cold… Mira.”

She looked away instantly, staring at her trembling hands.

She didn't know me. But I knew her. I know everything about her—except this.

How could something this important escape me?

Anger rose within me.

Guilt clawed up my throat.

I hadn't been in the country for years but something this serious wasn't supposed to skip past me.

How the hell did this happen?!

The elevator dinged open. Her friend pushed her out of the elevator in a hurry without a word. I remained still in the elevator and watched them leave.

James held back the next group from entering and shut the doors again.

When they finally closed, I turned to him, my voice like ice I commanded,

"Start talking.”

“Sir—the last time I reported on her, you told me to leave her alone since she was happy—”

“Does she look happy to you?!” I roared, fists tightening, “Does she?”

“Sir— sir— you said—"

“I said that when she was happy! How did it get this bad? How am I finding out now that she almost died?! Did you see…?” My voice broke.

I shut my eyes for a beat. Those broken eyes flashed in my mind.

When next I opened my eyes, I pulled out my phone and typed a message.

Me: ‘Your arranged blind date failed. Speak to your best friend again concerning his granddaughter. He should try harder this time.’

It didn't take long, grandfather replied almost immediately.

Grandfather: ‘I thought we were done with that girl? Grandson, she is married. You know Andrew tried everything he could six years ago but she still insisted on marrying her high school crush. That’s the love of her life.’

My jaws flexed.

Love of her life my foot!

Me: ‘Tell Elder Andrew to tell his granddaughter that she can have anything she wants if she agrees. Even if it's only marriage on paper.’

I didn’t care if it sounded desperate. I needed her close to protect her. I am the only one that can take care of her.

The elevator stopped. I ignored it and hit the ground floor again.

I was no longer in the mood to visit my blind date. I need Mira, she's the one I want. She's the one I'll get.

James didn't dare utter a word.

My phone buzzed, it was Grandfather

“Grandfather."

“Adrain, did you hit your head? This lady in question is a married woman."

“She won't be married for long, grandfather.” I said flatly, “Just do as I say. Make sure Elder Andrew speaks to his granddaughter again."

A pause. "What did you do?”

"Nothing… yet.” I replied, "Trust me, you and grandma will get the granddaughter-in-law you so wanted for years now.”

The call ended.

I turned to James, “See to it that the divorce happens. I don't care how."

I stepped out of the elevator, “And send me the information about that so-called ex-husband of hers again.”

And I made my way out of the hospital.

Six years.

Six good years I have been out of the country so I could stay away from the love I thought was perfect for her.

But no more.

I don't care what it takes; I am getting Mira Thomas Andrew to marry me. And everyone who had hurt her…. would pay.