07

Adriana’s breath hitched the moment his lips pressed against hers. The kiss came without warning, crashing into her like a tidal wave. One second she was seething with fury; the next she was paralysed, caught between shock and something dangerously unfamiliar.

Eros didn’t rush the kiss. His lips moved with purpose, moulding against hers, slow and sure. He gently tugged on her lower lip, savouring it like it was something he’d been craving for far too long.

Adriana clenched her fists at her sides, ready to push him off. But she didn’t; she couldn’t.

She stood frozen, confused, her heart thundering in her chest so loudly that she was sure he could hear it. 

It wasn’t that she wanted the kiss; it wasn’t even about desire. It was about the storm he had stirred inside her, one she hadn’t felt in years.

Then, just as suddenly, Eros pulled away, his breath warm against her cheek.

Adriana’s eyes flew open, wide and stunned. “W-what was that?” she asked breathlessly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Eros stepped back with maddening calm and licked his lips. “Just sealing your request,” he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. 

“And since you didn’t push me off, I’ll treat my kids better.” He added, and winked at her like it was a joke—like he hadn’t just turned her entire body to fire and ice.

Adriana’s face twisted in disbelief. “Don’t you dare try that with me ever again. This… this is fake. All of it.” She snapped, her eyes blinking rapidly.

“Right,” Eros murmured, clearly unconvinced, as he sat back down, relaxed and smug, with a smirk playing across his lips.

The smirk made Adriana want to hurl something at him, but instead, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her so hard.

Once in the safety of her room, Adriana stalked toward the mirror like it had personally offended her. She gripped the edges of the dresser, her eyes locked onto her own furious reflection.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” she hissed at the woman in the glass. 

“Why didn’t you stop him? Why did you just stand there?” She continued, her lips still tingling.

She hated the kissing moment; she hated that it felt like anything. After Antonio, she’d built her walls sky-high so that neither man nor kiss wouldn't be allowed to melt them. The vow had protected her like armour. But now, Eros gave it a crack, one unpredictable move at a time.

As the kiss moment replayed in her head, she let out a shaky breath and ran both hands through her hair.

“He’s not your type. He’s worse than Antonio. He’s reckless, arrogant, and impossible.” She assured herself, but damn it… She knew Eros was also devastatingly handsome. Tall, built like a Greek god, and dangerous in a way that didn’t just hint at sinful acts—it screamed it.

Knowing clearly that she needed to snap out of her thoughts ASAP, she grabbed a duffel bag and headed to the twins’ room.

In no time, she started packing their things, one item at a time. Each folded shirt, each pair of socks, became a distraction—something to focus on that wasn’t the taste of Eros' kiss or the fire it lit inside her.

Later that day by 5:00 p.m., they were ready. The twins walked ahead, hand in hand, their backpacks bouncing with each step. Adriana followed behind, her sunglasses hiding the exhaustion on her face, while Eros trailed beside her, looking cool and unreadable.

With all their luggage loaded earlier in the black jeep, Adriana didn’t ask questions. She just climbed in after the kids and settled into the leather seat, her gaze fixed on the window. 

Eros didn’t speak either. Even after the ride to his private airstrip, and also during takeoff, they both didn't say a word to each other.

The flight was smooth and quiet. Only Tessa’s occasional gasps of excitement broke the silence as she looked out the window and pointed at clouds.

They landed in California less than fifteen minutes later, thanks to Adriana's private jet. When they pulled up in front of Eros’s penthouse, Adriana’s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.

The property looked more like a modern palace—floor-to-ceiling windows, polished black stone walls, and clean minimalist lines, all perched above the coast with a sweeping view of the Pacific.

As soon as they stepped inside, Adriana noticed that everything had already been arranged. Housekeepers greeted them with polite nods, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air.

“Let Daddy show you guys your room,” Eros said suddenly, his voice light but steady, as he watched the twins wandering around the enormous living room.

Adriana’s brows knitted. “Did he just volunteer?” She thought.

“Okay, Daddy!” The twins squealed in unison, and dashed toward him.

Adriana blinked. “Eros, I can handle that. You don’t have to—”

“You don’t know where it is, do you?” Eros cut in smoothly, raising a brow. 

“And I’m doing this willingly, not for you or the plan, but just for them.” 

He added, and just before Adriana could argue, he was already holding the kids’ hands, leading them down a wide hallway.

Adriana followed slowly, her arms crossed, unsure whether to be annoyed or... moved.

When they entered the room, the twins gasped in delight.

“Wow!” Hardin exclaimed, spinning around as he took in the huge bunk bed, colourful bookshelves, and glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to the ceiling.

“The bed’s so biiig,” Tessa squealed, tossing her bag to the floor and launching herself onto the mattress.

Hardin raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “It’s the same size as our bed in Australia. Are your eyes even working?”

Adriana stepped in right then and interfered. “That was too harsh, Hardin. I’ve told you before to always be nice to your sister. She’s not just anyone. She’s your half,” she said, her voice dipping low with disappointment as she crouched beside Tessa, who stood trembling, on the verge of tears.

“Don’t mind him, baby. Your eyes are perfectly fine,” she whispered comfort into Tessa's ear, while gently stroking shining brown hair.

Hardin stood frozen near the foot of his bed, guilt etching deep into his small face. “I’m sorry, Tessa,” he murmured, the fight gone from his voice. 

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was only trying to joke…” he added, but Tessa didn’t respond; she just sniffled harder against Adriana’s dress.

Just then, she suddenly lifted her head. Her voice firm despite her tears, she said,

“I… I don’t want to share a room with him anymore, Mommy.” 

Adriana blinked. “What?” she asked.

Tessa nodded, wiping her face with the back of her hand. “He’s mean sometimes. I want my own bed. My own space.”

Hardin’s eyes instantly widened, his lips parting in disbelief. “No! I said I was sorry! Why are you always so… so dramatic?!” he burst out.

Adriana's head snapped toward him. Her jaw clenched. “Hardin,” she called out, her tone sharp as steel, “you just yelled at her again. You’re doing exactly what I asked you not to.”

“I think it’s only fair she gets some space right now. And maybe it’ll serve as a little punishment for you.” Adriana continued, rising to her feet while holding Tessa’s hand. 

Hardin didn’t argue. His shoulders fell, and his eyes dropped to the floor. And in that moment the door clicked shut behind Adriana and Tessa, his face crumpled, followed by a soft, broken sniffle from him.

Eros, who had been leaning against the doorway the entire time, now walked into the room. He crouched down next to Hardin’s bed, and watched him curl up beneath the blanket like he was trying to disappear.

“Hey,” He said, his voice gentle. “Don’t cry, champ. You’ll still get to see her. You’re all under one roof. You’re not losing her.”

He assured, but Hardin didn’t lift his head. 

“I didn’t mean to hurt her, Dad,” Hardin whispered, his little body trembling as fresh tears slipped onto his pillow.

“I know,” Eros said quietly, placing a comforting hand on his back. 

“Sometimes we say things without thinking. It doesn’t make us bad—it makes us human,” he added, and just then, Adriana reappeared at the doorway.

“I’ll take it from here,” she said softly.

Eros gave a nod and stood with a sigh. “Thank God,” he muttered under his breath, giving Hardin one last pat on the shoulder before walking out.

Adriana crossed the room slowly, the weight of her son's sadness tugging at her heart. She sat beside him and gently brushed his hair from his forehead.

“Hey, baby,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his temple.

“I’m sorry, Mommy. I messed everything up.” Hardin said through tears, his voice tight and raw. 

“No, you didn’t,” Adriana murmured, rubbing his back in slow circles. 

“Tessa told me you can visit her room anytime you want. She just needs a little space right now,” she added, making Hardin’s head shoot up. 

“Really?” he asked.

Adriana smiled and wiped his cheeks dry. “Really. She just wants to breathe, not break away from you forever.”

Hardin nodded, his lips trembling again, but this time with relief.

Adriana pulled him into a tight hug, holding him close like she used to when he was still learning to walk and would fall over himself trying. 

“You’re her brother, Hardin. And being her brother means learning how to protect her—not make her cry. Okay?” She asked in a calm voice.

“Okay, Mommy,” Hardin replied in a whisper into her shoulder.

Later that day at exactly 7:30 PM, Adriana stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, adjusting the final details of her dress. The red fabric hugged her curves like it was stitched to her skin, clinging in all the right places. A slit ran up her thigh, subtle but yet daring. Her glossy brown curls framed her caramel-toned face, and her lips wore a bold red that matched her gown.

As her hands smoothed over her hips, a knock came at the door, followed by a voice that always seemed to come too close.

“It’s time,” Eros said from outside.

Adriana turned, walking towards the door, and slowly creaked it open. There, he found Eros looking like a sculpted fantasy in a tailored black tuxedo, his shirt and collar sharp. 

With Eros' dark hair styled back, with a few rebellious strands falling naturally over his forehead, his piercing blue eyes lingered on Adriana and drank her in slowly.

“You look…” He paused, eyes flicking down her form and back up to meet her gaze. “Asolutely stunning,” he concluded.

Adriana gave a small smile as she tightened her grip on her clutch. “You don’t look bad either.”

Eros stepped forward, offering his arm, and Adriana took it with grace.

Less than thirty minutes later, their black car came to a smooth stop in front of the grand entrance of a five-star hotel. The building glittered under the evening lights, the valet already waiting as the chauffeur opened the car door.

Eros stepped out first, then turned to offer Adriana his hand.

But just as Adriana placed her hands in his, a car pulled in behind them, and she caught the blur of a familiar license plate. 

As the vehicle’s back door slid open, she stood frozen and watched Antonio step out, followed by Abby.