LOGINThe conference hall was filled with reporters and other people ready to listen to Rivera's statement.Adrian was home, in the living room, sitting in front of the television.He head was leaned on his hand, staring expressionlessly at the screen.Dubois sat in his study, the screen at a distance with Rin and Cassian behind him.Cassian glanced at Rin who had no idea of what was going on.The conference meeting started. Reporters began throwing their questions at her. The flashing of cameras blinded her view.She began her speech then grew silence fell on the conference room.Ashley walked downstairs with Carolina and met Adrian watching the news. They stood behind him and watched too."...when I found out, I couldn't understand why Adrian would do something like that. A woman's feelings is..." She said when the screen behind her lit up.A smile crawled up Adrian's face.Carolina saw it.Rivera was about to continue when she heard her own voice from the speakers"I want you to make thi
Adrian remained in his study till midnight.He glanced at his watch then left his study.Carolina stopped him"Can you explain what's going on now?" Adrian hissed sharply"Move or it will be what no one can explain" He said and left the mansion.Carolina looked at Ashley who stood upstairs" I'm sorry" She mouthed.Adrian got to the park and located the slide.Beneath it was an envelope. Sealed.He took it and left. On his way back, he thought "if this is fake, who am I kidding?" He opened it up in and they were records of Rivera Withthrop.Everything about her and her family. Even Adrian didn't know this much.Adrian studied the papers for hours and what it contained was more than enough to bring her down and finally break from her.But, wasn't it too much?Ashley came in and closed the door behind her"You're not keeping any explanation from me, what's going on?" She askedAdrian held the tip of his tongue to his upper teeth"what are those?" She asked, looking above his shoulder.
Adrian closed the distance between them and took her phone"The whole city knows" She looked at him with panic in her eyes.Justin tugged at her clothes" found out what Mommy?" He asked.Adrian squatted to Justin"Nothing" He said with a smile "Are you hungry? Let's eat something" He took his hand and placed Carolina's phone in her hand"Can you not talk about it" He looked at her like he wasn't bothered before walking out of the office.They sat at the restaurant, Justin ate on his own while the other two were silent. Carolina's brows remained knitted while she ate and Adrian constantly looked up from his plate at her.He took his phone and soon dropped it. Then, a message notification popped up on Carolina's phone(We'll talk about this at home. Take Justin home, I'll be back late)— AdrianCarolina looked at Adrian who got up from his seat"I have a meeting now" He ran his hand over Justin's hair before leaving.His eyes followed Adrian's back as he walked through the doors. "Are
~MORETTI MANSIONCarolina shifted on the couch, the blanket over her head. Soon, she wakes up fully and moves the blanket off her face.Ashley stood there like a guardian“What are you doing?” Carolina asked, looking at Ashley with folded arms“What were you doing last night, you weren’t in your room” she saidCarolina looked around for Adrian for a second then back at Ashley“I just wanted to watch a movie, why?” she asked“Alone? Without me?” she askedCarolina got up, draping the blanket over her shoulders“Is something wrong with some alone time?” she mumbled as she walked up the stairs.She lifted her eyes from the stairs and saw Adrian at the other end. She paused for a second while he walked down, past her without saying a word.Carolina watched him go like nothing they didn’t just watch a movie together last night.Adrian closed the doors behind him before Ashley turned her gaze to Carolina“Didn’t Adrian see us standing?” she askedCarolina shook her shoulders before going up
Carolina’s fingers wrapped tightly around her phone then Adrian stepped out. He saw Carolina glaring into thin air but when he looked, no one was there“Did space suddenly offend you?” he askedCarolina turned to him“No, just came out to look anywhere for Ashley” she glanced around once more before walking past Adrian.She hadn’t gone that far when the straps of her heels snapped, nearly throwing her off her balance.She tucked her hair behind her ear before bending over“This was perfectly fine when I wore it” she mumbled.Adrian sat her down on a nearby seat before getting on a knee before her. He held her leg on his knee“How can you wear something this high?” he took off the heels and examined it“It’s not a problem, I’ve been wearing that before today” she said.Adrian tilted her feet, his eyes caught a fresh bruise behind her heel“Really? you’re not wearing these anymore” he attempted to take off the other oneCarolina refused“I can manage it, it’s nothing” she reached for he
Carolina and Ashley got ready for the party tonight"Years back, Adrian never really attended these parties" Ashley said, helping Carolina with her clothes" That's tight enough Ashley" She said and turned around"Oh! Can you breathe?" Ashley asked" stop staring at my boobs" Carolina covered Ashley's eyes."There was no one to go with him" Carol said" look at you being full of yourself now" Ashley teased"It's enough to feel good Ashley. You know how difficult Adrian is" She grabbed her bag."Who are you going with anyways?" Carol asked" A co worker" Ashley looked away instinctively."I never met your co-worker, introduce me" Carolina asked, a little excited"No, he's leaving tonight. There's no use meeting him" she said "It's almost time, I'm leaving first, have fun" She said as the door clicked shut.Carolina's brows creased while she stood there, confused. Then she realized. She rushed out the door"Wait! Ashley!" She called but she she was already far gone.Carolina stood there
~Moretti Mansion Carolina sat in her room all day. Somehow this place was safe but still felt very much like a cage. She held her knees to her chest, encircling her hands around her legs . Then— The door knob shifted. He stepped in, Still vexed about what happened the last time. C
~~~~~~~~~~ “Take him back to his room,” Adrian said abruptly, standing up to Carolina and at that moment she knew she was doomed. The butler nodded and gently picked Justin up but the little boy immediately reached for Carolina, he didn't say anything but the look in his eyes was calling to her a
TWO WEEKS LATER For two weeks, Adrian had not returned to the mansion, according to the butler, he had left for a business trip in China. The mansion no longer felt as foreign as it once had. Carolina had memorized every hallway, every staircase, every silent corner of the estate. In the afterno
DAWSON MANSION The Dawson mansion was in chaos exactly the way Carolina had imagined it would be. Servants rushed through the halls in panic, guards stormed in and out of the mansion, and the atmosphere was so tense it felt like the entire house could collapse at any moment. Mr. Dawson stood in







