37

Chapter 37

Darcy’s Pov

The house was quiet when I left Pink’s room.

Adrian stayed behind, curled next to her, one arm protectively around the little girl. I paused by the door, watching them.

Pink’s tiny hands were on Adrian’s hair, her face was calm and she was smiling even in sleep. Adrian hummed softly, the sound warm and gentle.

A strange ache built in my chest as I remembered what happened earlier. Pink had a very bad dream and woke up calling Adrian,“Mommy.”

This is so weird.

That word kept replaying in my head. I told myself it didn’t matter. It was nothing after all, children do a lot of weird things and also Pink has grown to be more comfortable and close to her caregivers. Still, the way she said it, so naturally—bothered me.

Adrian was only her nanny. Not her mother.

But when I looked at them, sometimes they seemed connected in a way I couldn’t explain. Both had soft brown hair, the same tender eyes that carried quiet sadness. It was probably a coincidence, I told myself again.

I remember that day we went to the orphanage clearly. Pink was laid on the bed. She was so small, asleep, and wrapped in a blanket far too big for her.

Brittany had whispered that adopting her would “look good for us.” I didn’t care about appearances. I just knew I couldn’t leave without her.

That thought kept coming into my mind as I sat in my study room trying to focus on working on some office files but I couldn’t focus. I kept seeing Adrian’s face when Pink called her “Mom.” The way she froze, then softly whispered, “Sleep, baby. Mommy’s here.”

With those words replaying in my mind, I got so disturbed I decided to go check on them again. As I got there I stood by the entrance watching. She was singing a song for her while touching her hair so she could sleep.

Then I moved back to my study room thinking about everything, didn’t know when I slept off, my chest was heavy with thoughts I couldn’t untangle.

---

Pink's laughter woke me. It was morning already. Sunlight filled the house. Pink’s first day back at school.

I headed downstairs after I'd freshened up, wore my suit and prepared for the office. Adrian was helping Pink to pack her hair while Pink had her new backpack hanging on her shoulder as she ran in circles. Excited.

“Hold still, Pink, I'm almost done with your hair,” Adrian said, smiling.

“Daddy, please tell Ms Adrian that I’m a grown-up and I park my hair myself!” Pink said.

“She’s right, Adrian,” I said. “Pink is all grown-up now and can take care of herself.”

Adrian looked at me, then looked away in a hurry when I notice her stares

"Let’s get going before we’re late.” I said, guiding Pink to the door.

As we drive our way to school. Everyone was quiet. Expect Pink who hummed in the back seat while Adrian was looking out the window.

When we arrived, Pink hugged us both before running toward her classmates. I called Leo. “Pick her up at three and take her home. Make sure she eats.”

“Got it,” he replied.

Adrian and I walked back toward the car without a word. Whatever she overheard last night, whatever she thought—it didn’t matter. That was my life to handle.

“Driver,” I said, “take Ms. Adrian home, then return the car to my office.”

She nodded. “Of course, Mr. Rodrigo.” Her voice was polite, distant.

The space between us felt colder than ever.

---

Work didn’t help. My mind refused to settle. I was halfway through a meeting when my assistant interrupted.

“Sir, your parents are here.”

My pulse quickened. “Send them in.”

My father entered, crisp and serious as always, my mother close behind. I already knew what this was about.

“Darcy,” my father began, “We have come to discuss an important matter. It's about merging the companies and also we need to talk about Brittany.”

“Dad, I thought by now you should know my stand. We've been through this,” I sighed.

“Merging with the Campbell Group is important,” he continued. “It benefits both companies. Brittany’s family will make it happen.”

“Brittany and I are done,” I said flatly. “That ended a long time ago.”

“She’s a good woman,” he insisted. “She’ll give you stability and grandchildren.”

I gave a short laugh. “You mean she’ll make the company look good.”

“Marriage isn’t just about love,” he snapped. “It’s about legacy.”

Mom spoke softly. “Your father only wants the best for you.”

I looked at her. “What if what’s best for me isn’t Brittany?”

Dad’s tone hardened. “Then there will be consequences. If you refuse, the company will divide. You take your part, I take mine.”

I looked at him. Finally I asked, “You’d really do that to me?”

“If it keeps the business secure, yes. But there’s a simple solution,” he continued. “You don’t have to marry her, just make it look like you will. Announce an engagement. Once the merger’s complete, end it quietly.”

I shook my head. “You’re asking me to marry someone. Use her so the public would think well of the merger. Are you serious?”

“I’m asking you, Darcy. Think about the future of this compang,” he said coldly, then got up and moved out of my office.

I felt a wave of anger beaming inside me. “Dad, are you asking me to live a life filled with lies?”

“Think about it, Darcy,” he warned before leaving. My mother walked beside him as they moved out of the office door without saying a word.

When they shut the door, I felt nothing but pissed.

Brittany might be the good match for the public, but not for me. Every time I imagined her, I saw Adrian instead.

Her laugh when Pink giggled.

Her habit of biting her lower lip. Her pretty face. When she looks at me I feel different.

Adrian was just the nanny, I told myself again. But it didn’t feel true anymore.

And Pink adored her.

If I married Brittany, what would happen to them? Brittany didn’t like children. She cared about reputation, not love. My father didn’t care either—only about money and control.

I thought of Adrian and Pink that morning—their laughter, the sunlight, the small, perfect peace of that moment.

I couldn’t give that up.

My phone buzzed. A message from Adrian:

Pink’s home safe. Leo said she had a good day. She drew a picture of you both in class—she called it “My Family.”

My heart twisted.

I started to reply: Thank you. Deleted it.

Then: You’re doing great. Deleted that too.

Finally, I sent:

I saw the picture. It’s beautiful.

A few seconds later, her reply came:

Pink really loves you, Mr. Rodrigo.

I looked at the screen, said to myself, “And I love you both more.”

Could it be that Adrian has forgiven me and all I did to her? Had she forgotten how I treated her?

---

It was 9pm when I finished with the office work, it was about to rain too. I didn’t go home right away. With what my parents told me at the office I couldnt take that thought home so I drove aimlessly through the city until rain began to fall.

As rain hit the front glass of the car as I decided to head to the mansion.

By the time I got to the mansion it was quiet. Just a single lamp lit up by the window.

Adrian sat there. She covered herself with a blanket. Then as I entered, she opened her eyes.

“You’re home late Mr Rodrigo,” she said.

“Yeah, Long day...” I lied.

She nodded, not asking why.

“Is Pink asleep?”

“She needs to sleep to wake up early for school.” she said

I smiled. "That's okay.”

There was a pause. The rain outside was the only sound we heard.

“Adrian,” I asked suddenly, “do you ever wonder why life has to be so complicated?”

She looked up, looking at me. “All the time.”

There was something in her eyes—understanding, maybe even pain.

I wanted to tell her about everything: how my father came to the office, insisted I marry Brittany, merged the company, and the marriage I was being pushed into. But I couldn’t. Not yet.

So I said instead, “Thank you—for being there for Pink. I appreciate all the things you do for my daughter.”

“You don’t have to thank me Sir Rodrigo,” she said quietly. “She’s special to me and I'm doing my job.

“Alright,” I said. "You're special too."

Her eyes opened slightly, then she looked away. “Goodnight, Mr. Rodrigo.”

“Goodnight, Adrian.”

I looked at her as she moved upstairs. She was beautiful in that her night wear and I couldn't stop looking.

And in those quiet times, I knew one thing, the truth—No deal, no threat, no pressure from my father could ever make me marry Brittany.

Because my heart already belonged somewhere else.