35

Chapter 35

Adrian’s Pov

I’d reached my limit. I couldn’t keep letting Darcy hurt me or keep holding onto false hope. After he left my room with those cold words, I made myself a promise—I was done. No more feelings. No more wishing he’d see me differently.

It hurt, of course it did. But pain had become familiar to me.

On my bed, I was awake, with so many thoughts in my mind, like when did he enter my room? Did he carry me to my bed or did I fall asleep on my bed?

Another word rushed into my mind, "Put yourself together and your only job is to focus on being Pink's nanny,"

I tried forcing myself to believe that I can just shut off my feelings and focus only on my work—being Pink’s nanny—without caring about Darcy anymore. Sleep wouldn't come.

Finally, I gave up thinking so hard. I decided to check on Pink before I sleep. I had left after dinner and it wasn't fair. She deserves better.

It was cold so I'd to check on Pink and make sure she was well covered.

I wore my clothes, then quietly walked into the hall.

Everyone was asleep or so I thought, it's past 11:30pm. So the house was calm with dim light everywhere.

His study door was ajar, there was light coming from Darcy’s study door.

I should have walked past. I should have gone to Pink’s room and minded my business. But something made me stop. Curiosity, worry—maybe both. I stepped closer, the door slightly ajar.

Leo stood in front of Darcy’s desk, his face serious.

“Sir, we have a situation,” he said. “Security caught someone watching the mansion several times this week.”

My heart froze. Watching the house?

It had to be Martin. He’d found me at the mall, he made those quiet threats. Maybe he had followed us to know where I stayed. And he wouldn’t stop there.

Darcy frowned. “Do we have footage?”

“Only a car, parked nearby. No clear face yet.”

“I want twenty-four-hour surveillance,” Darcy ordered. “If that car shows up again, I want to know immediately.”

My breathing turned shallow. Martin was out there, watching, waiting.

When Leo finally left, I still stayed close by frozen at the message I heard about the spy staying out watching the car, too shaken to move. I wanted to leave. I would be there watching him but then Darcy’s phone rang.

“Amelia,” he said, with a soft voice. “I was hoping you’d call.”

I've never heard him speak softly before. The way he called her name made me want to listen more.

He bent back, relaxing in his chair. “Are you free tomorrow evening? What do you have in mind?”

A woman answered. She had a sultry voice, she was bold with her flirts and loud enough for me to hear.

“Try me Mr Rodrigo, I’ll fuck you like you haven’t been fucked in years, Mr. Rodrigo.”

My whole body went still.

I should have walked away. But I couldn’t.

Darcy chuckled. “Which style do you like best?”

“Cowgirl. I’ll ride you till you forget your name.”

Tears stung my eyes. That warm tone, the teasing charm—I’d thought those moments were rare, only for me. But he was offering them to someone else, like they meant nothing.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” he said finally. “Can’t wait to have you beneath me.”

The call ended. I stood there, broken. Days ago, he had carried me to bed. Now he was planning a night with another woman.

Then his computer pinged. Papers shuffled.

“Damn it,” he muttered. “They’re really doing this.”

Doing what?

His phone rang again. His tone changed—formal now.

“Mother. I saw your email.” A pause. “An engagement? Are you serious that you're going through with this?”

My heart dropped. Engagement?

He listened to his mother for a long time then he spoke tightly, “It hasn't been long since I read your email, also I haven’t agreed to anything. Brittany and I are not a thing anymore...” He stopped, then sighed. “If you and dad set a meeting no problem, but I've told you my stand.”

Who is Brittany? Is the woman from his office?

Tears filled my eyes, blurred my sight.

Suddenly when I turned to move, I hit my leg on the flower vest kept near his door. The soft sound felt deafening.

The room went silent.

And then…

The door opened.

Darcy stood there, he came out as fast as I imagined. Shock flickering on his face before he called me.

“Adrian,” he said quietly. “Stop.”

I froze. My heart was pounding.

“Adrian, how long have you been standing there?” he asked.

“I was just going to check on Pink, I just got here Sir,” I managed to say. “I didn’t...”

He cuts in, “Adrian.” His tone was sharp. “How long?”

Tears burned my eyes. “Long enough.”

He stepped closer. “You need to understand…”

“I don’t need to understand anything,” I cut in, finally meeting his gaze. “ I'm just trying to work and focus on Pink, like you told me earlier and that's what I'm doing. I’m just the help, remember?”

“That’s not…”

“Isn’t it? You call me a mistake. You throw money at me like I’m…” I swallowed hard. “Like I’m something to buy. You say one kind thing and then crush me the next. And while you’re doing that, you’re arranging nights with other women and talking about your engagement.”

“The engagement isn’t…”

“I don’t care!” I said. “I didn't listen to your phone conversations Sir, so I don't care about the excuses either. You’re right—I’ll just focus on my job. On Pink. That’s all that matters.”

Before he could open his mouth to talk

A scream came through the hall. A loud scream. High-pitched, terrified.

Pink.

We both ran. Darcy followed me at once. He opened the door then we rushed in.

Pink sat upright in bed, sobbing, eyes wide with fear.

“Mommy!” she cried.

The word hit me like lightning.

I went closer to her side and held her in my arms. “Hey, it’s okay dear. I’m here. You’re safe.”

“The bad lady,” she whimpered. “And the mean man. They wanted to take me away. They said I don’t belong here.”

My chest tightened. “What bad lady?”

“They were in my dream,” she said, holding me very tight. “They said they’re coming to take me. They said I wasn’t yours.”

“Nobody is taking you anywhere without my permission, dear, I'm here with you. Daddy and I are right here beside you. You’re safe.” I said touching her hair.

“You promise?” she asked through tears.

“I promise.”

Gradually, she was breathing slowly again . But she didn’t remove her hands from my body. Her little fists tangled in my shirt.

I looked up and met Darcy’s eyes. He stood by the door, watching us—expression torn, almost pained.

“She’s never…” He stopped, his voice husky. “Pink has never called anyone that before.”

“I know,” I whispered. “ She's just scared that is the only reason.”

“Mommy… please, don’t leave me.” she said with her eyes closed.

“I’m not leaving,” I said softly,

I didn't know why she was referring to me as her Mommy but I loved the fact that she did.

She lay on me,minutes later then she fell asleep again on my lap, but still holding my shirt. I didn’t move. I couldn’t.

This love she gave me, I need to protect myself. I thought I’d never feel it again when they said my baby was dead. Here I feel it in another child. I'm grateful.

Darcy moved closer, his voice low. “Adrian, we need to talk about what you heard.”

I shook my head, still rocking Pink gently. “Not now. She needs to sleep.”

“I know,” he said quietly. “But later… we will.”

I didn’t answer.

He stayed there for some minute, watching me cradle his daughter in that fragile, unspoken way and for the first time, I saw something raw in his eyes.

Regret, maybe for treating me badly Or longing or so I thought.

But I didn’t let myself look at him for long. I only held Pink tighter, trying to protect her and my own heart from everything that fights to break it.