Chapter 26

Brianna’s POV

Barrett scurried in, his eyes observing, taking in the scene that played out immediately. “Sir?”

Adrian spat, “Get him out of here right now.” His words were sharp and clipped, cold in a way that made even me do a double take.

I remained frozen in shock, trepidation washing over me like baptismal water. The scene unfolding before me was like a dream. Never in a million years would I have expected it.

My father let out a harsh scoff, pulling out of Barrett’s hold. “Don’t touch me! I can walk out myself.”

He straightened his jacket with trembling hands, his fury barely contained. Before leaving, he turned to me one last time, his glare sharp enough to wound.

“I regret taking you in Brianna, you are a disappointment to the Stewart family.” His face was tight with disdain, disappointment etched so deeply it made my chest ache. I could only look down in response, unable to watch him.

It was the same look he had always given me whenever I disappointed him in a way or spoke back. Not often, but three times were left ingrained in my head.

The last one being when I had asked about my biological parents and if there was a way I could find them. I remember how his eyes glossed over with fury.

I shake the memory away. I glanced up to see that his gaze were now shifted to Adrian, and something flickered there. Fear.

It looked similar to my own eyes when he came in earlier yelling profanities.

My father said nothing else. He turned and walked out, Barrett following closely behind to ensure he truly left.

The moment the door shut, the strength drained from my body.

My knees gave out beneath me, but before I could hit the floor, Adrian caught me, his arms wrapping around me with surprising gentleness as he lowered us both down.

“Easy, baby.” he murmured, his voice softer now, so different from the steel he had used moments ago. “Breathe for me, mi amor. Just breathe.”

I hated how quickly I obeyed. From hyperventilating to taking calm steadying breathes.

I hated how naturally I folded into him, how safe his arms felt when they should have terrified me. His hand moved through my hair, slow and soothing, while he pressed a kiss to my temple.

And in that moment, with my father’s anger still lingering in the air and Adrian holding me like I was something breakable, one thing became painfully clear. I was falling for this peculiar man.

Adrian was going to be my undoing. Maybe I had been wrong.

Maybe he was never meant to be my fortune.

Maybe he was simply my fall.

I had to create some distance before I fall even deeper.

I detached myself from his hold. Willing myself to be as assertive as possible. I stood with unwavering conviction, my legs weak beneath me.

“Adrian,” I started. My eyes still a bit raw from shed tears, my voice cracking slightly, hoarse and low. “Could you please explain what my father said earlier.”

He stalked towards me, his hands stretched out to hold me. “Baby!”

I moved backward, away from him before he could reach me. “Explain. Please!” I yelled, tears streaming down my face in anger.

“My love, please don’t cry,” he coaxed softly. “I’ll explain, just please—”

“Then start explaining.” I snapped, my voice trembling. This was all so unlike myself but I didn’t care, not when the only family I’d ever known hated me. “Because right now, all I see is betrayal. All I hear are lies. Everyone is pointing fingers at me, my own family thinks I had something to do with this, and you—” my breath hitched painfully, “—you stood there knowing something and said nothing.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened, his usual calm slipping for the first time.

“I didn’t tell you anything because I was trying to protect you.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Protect me? And why would you do that to someone you just met, Adrian?”

“No, baby.” His voice hardened. “You’ve got it all wrong. I know that things don’t seem clear now—there are things you don’t know, maybe even things you don’t remember—but this runs far deeper than what’s on the surface.”

“What are you even talking about?” I asked, throughly confused by his ambiguous explanation.

“My love, I promise you. I’d put my life on the line in promise to you that everything is all for you. You may not understand it now, but sooner or later, you will. Right now, I just need you to trust me,” he begged, inching closer with every point while I drew back.

I swallowed, my chest tightening. “Why would I trust you? I’ve only known you for short of a week.”I released a shaky breath, “Why would I trust you with everything that’s just unfolded? Why would I believe you over the family that has taken me in for thirteen years.”

I continued, “Was I wrong for believing you were different from all the rumors… all the gossip? I even started to—” I cut myself off before I could finish.“

“Started to what?” Adrian asked, his voice quieter now, but somehow heavier. Like his whole life relied on whatever I had to say.

I shook my head quickly, wiping at my tears with the back of my hand. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me, baby.”

“Why?” I snapped. “Why does any of this matter to you so much? Why me? You don’t even know me that well.”

His stare held mine, unflinching, intense enough to make my chest tighten. “Because it has always been you. Because we have a connection that runs far back from what you see or know now.”

“What—,”

“Brianna,” he cut in, his voice low and unwavering, “I have loved you for years. You may not remember me now but I remember you. It had always just been you as it will always be you.”

My pulse roared at the sound of my name. He never called me by my name. I was thrown aback.

I almost faltered at the intensity of his voice. Could I really trust him? If what he was saying was true, then why didn’t I remember him?

Was this all his plan to make me his wife. How far back did our history run?

The unanswered questions and doubts swirled around in my head, making my head hurt badly. Memories rushing in and my brain felt like it was being split open.

Was this all part of some carefully crafted plan to make me his wife? How far back did our history really go?

Fragments of memories rushed forward—blurred faces, a voice I couldn’t fully place.

My breathing turned uneven as my mind fought to grasp something just out of reach.

I suddenly felt dizzy, my mind blurring into a void. My knees buckled underneath me and I dropped. I was close to freezing the floor before Adrian moved to hold me, his voice soft as he cooed me to comfort.

I hated how lived I felt in his arms, how safe I felt despite his actions that proved to be the opposite.

Suddenly, I started to feel a sort of connection to him, deeper than ever, it was strange, absurd and totally unwarranted. It terrified me and I pushed it away immediately.

I couldn’t full trust him and I had to keep my distance.

Adrian and I were not in an anything close to an ordinary relationship. I realized that now, as I gripped his arm tightly, my other hand clutching painfully at my spinning head.

My thoughts blurred, my chest tightened, and it felt like something buried deep inside me was fighting to break free.