Chapter 5 — Don't Make Me Jealous

ELENA

I didn't speak to Adrian for the entire ride home.

Not because I was angry.

At least, that's what I told myself.

I was hurt.

There was a difference.

"I can't trust anyone. Not even you."

Those words kept replaying in my head.

I stared out the window while the city lights passed by.

Adrian sat beside me in complete silence.

For once, the silence between us wasn't comfortable.

It was heavy.

When we arrived at the mansion, I got out of the car without waiting for him.

"Elena."

I kept walking.

"Elena."

I stopped.

"What?"

He stood beside the car.

"I didn't mean it the way you think."

I crossed my arms.

"Then what did you mean?"

"I don't know who betrayed me."

"That doesn't mean you should treat me like a suspect."

"I don't."

"You just said you don't trust me."

His jaw tightened.

"I don't trust anyone."

"Well, I'm not everyone."

The words came out before I could stop them.

For a moment, he simply stared at me.

Then he walked closer.

"That's what worries me."

My heart skipped.

"What does that mean?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he walked inside.

I stood there, completely confused.

The next morning, I discovered what it meant to be married to Adrian De Luca.

My breakfast arrived at seven.

My clothes had been chosen for me.

A driver was waiting outside.

And there were two security guards assigned to follow me everywhere.

I stared at them.

"I'm going to the bookstore."

"We know."

"Why are you coming?"

"Security."

"I don't need security to buy a book."

One of them smiled apologetically.

"Mr. De Luca disagrees."

Of course he did.

I rolled my eyes.

"Fine."

At the bookstore, I finally had some peace.

Or so I thought.

"Elena?"

I turned.

A familiar face smiled at me.

"Daniel?"

Daniel Cruz.

We had gone to university together.

He had always been kind to me.

He hugged me before noticing the ring on my finger.

His expression changed.

"You're married?"

I looked down.

"Oh."

I had almost forgotten.

"Yes."

"To who?"

I hesitated.

"Adrian De Luca."

Daniel's face went pale.

"The Adrian De Luca?"

I nodded.

He stared at me.

"Elena, what did you get yourself into?"

I laughed nervously.

"It's complicated."

Daniel looked at the guards.

"Apparently."

He smiled.

"I've missed you."

"I've missed you too."

We started talking.

It felt normal.

Easy.

For the first time in days, I felt like myself.

Then I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Elena."

I turned.

Adrian stood near the entrance.

His expression was unreadable.

But his eyes were fixed on Daniel.

Daniel extended his hand.

"Daniel Cruz."

Adrian looked at his hand.

Then at Daniel.

He didn't shake it.

Daniel slowly lowered his hand.

"Nice to meet you."

Adrian's gaze moved to me.

"Are you finished?"

"Almost."

Daniel smiled.

"We were just catching up."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

"Clearly."

I frowned.

"What is your problem?"

"Nothing."

"Then stop acting like that."

"Like what?"

"Jealous."

Silence.

Daniel looked between us.

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

"I'm not jealous."

"Good."

I smiled.

"Then you won't mind if Daniel and I get coffee."

"I mind."

My mouth dropped open.

Daniel coughed.

Adrian stepped closer.

"Because we're supposed to attend an event tonight."

"You never told me."

"I just did."

"You're impossible."

He leaned closer.

"Come home."

I stared at him.

"Are you ordering me?"

"No."

He paused.

"I'm asking."

Something about his voice made me stop arguing.

I turned to Daniel.

"I'll call you."

Adrian's expression softened slightly.

We walked toward the exit.

As soon as we reached the car, I looked at him.

"You were jealous."

"No."

"You absolutely were."

"I wasn't."

"You looked like you wanted to kill him."

"I look like that at everyone."

I laughed.

He glanced at me.

For the first time in days, the tension between us disappeared.

Then his phone rang.

His smile vanished.

"Yes?"

He listened.

"Where?"

A pause.

"Don't touch anything. I'm coming."

He hung up.

"What happened?" I asked.

He looked at me.

"Someone broke into my office."

My smile disappeared.

"Did they steal something?"

"No."

"Then what?"

His eyes darkened.

"They left a message."

That evening, Adrian and I attended a charity gala.

Photographers surrounded us.

He placed his hand around my waist.

I smiled for the cameras.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.

"You're only saying that because people are watching."

"I said the same thing yesterday."

I looked at him.

He was smiling.

A real smile.

My heart skipped.

Then a man approached us.

"Mrs. De Luca."

I turned.

A handsome stranger stood there.

"May I have this dance?"

Before I could answer, Adrian stepped forward.

"She's taken."

The man's smile widened.

"Obviously."

He walked away.

I looked at Adrian.

"You really are jealous."

His eyes met mine.

"Maybe."

My heart stopped.

"Maybe?"

He leaned closer.

"Don't make me jealous, Elena."

Before I could respond, a loud crash echoed through the ballroom.

Everyone turned.

A chandelier had fallen.

People screamed.

Security rushed toward us.

Adrian pulled me against him.

"Stay behind me."

I looked around.

On the floor beneath the shattered chandelier was a single red rose.

And attached to it was a note.

Adrian picked it up.

His face became expressionless.

I whispered, "What does it say?"

He handed it to me.

There were only four words.

SHE KNOWS TOO MUCH.

I looked up.

"Who?"

Adrian stared at me.

"You."