Chapter 4

KADE WOLFE 

I’ve guarded politicians, arms dealers, and men who smile while signing death warrants. But none of them have unsettled me the way Aria Hale does when she pretends she isn’t breaking. 

She thinks no one notices but I do. She walks straight ahead, with a stiff spine and her chin lifted. She doesn’t look back. 

The Hale Estate hasn’t changed. 

It never does. It was still the cold, ruthless mausoleum that had witnessed and hidden more secrets than any place. It was the kind of place that sucked you dry and left you parched and miserable. Aria must have felt this way all her life. 

She looked nothing like the young, bright-eyed girl I once knew. 

She stopped at the base of the stairs.

“I’m going to rest.” She said without looking at me. “You don’t have to hover.” 

“I do,” I replied.

She clicked her tongue. “Of course. You never listen to me.” 

She took the stairs slowly, one hand grazing the banister to steady her. I followed closely behind her. 

She paused at the door to her bedroom. “You can stand out here if it makes you any useful.” 

I said nothing in response and neither did she. She disappeared into her room, shutting the door behind her. My eyes scanned the hallway. I have no idea what I was searching for, but that didn’t deter me. 

The hallway is eerily quiet. Almost like humans don’t reside here. My eyes caught something at the end of the hallway and I made my way towards—

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Not the personal line but my secure one. I stepped away from her door before answering. 

UNKNOWN CONTACT: You shouldn’t have come back. 

I stared at the screen. There was no number or traceable ID. It all suddenly started to make sense. 

I typed back in response. WHO IS THIS? 

Three dots appeared. Then it disappeared. 

UNKNOWN CONTACT: You already failed once. 

I doubled back in shock. Who could this be? 

This was definitely a threat. Whoever this was, was warning me to back off. It was clear as day. 

I locked my phone, sliding it back into my pocket. Something cold ran through my spine. Whoever knew this knew my history. They knew this estate too, and they definitely knew her.

I turned just in time to see Margaret Hale watching me with her usual composed expression. 

“Is everything alright?” She asked.

“Yes,” I said and she searched my face. 

She decided on a careful, well-trained smile. One I wasn’t falling for. “Dinner is at seven tonight. Adrian will be joining us.” 

What? 

“Adrian Parker?” I asked, even though I knew the answer. 

She nodded. “He’s Aria’s fiancé. He’s been very concerned.”

Concerned. 

“I’ll inform Miss Hale.” 

She gave me that smile again. “Please do.” She left without another glance, the sound of her heels announcing her departure. 

Fiancé. 

I knew who Adrian Parker was. I had seen his file. I had wondered what someone like Aria could be doing with someone as rotten as he is. 

I knocked on Aria’s door once but there was no response. So I knocked again. 

“Come in.” Her voice came out strained and tired. 

Her room smelled like antiseptic, drugs, and something softer underneath like cinnamon. It felt like I was in a hospital room. She sat on the queen-sized bed, her hair falling loosely around her pale face but as always, she still seemed composed. 

“Dinner’s at seven.” I start. “You have company.”

Her brows furrowed. “Who?” 

“Adrian.” 

The colors drained from her face at the mention of his name.  It was almost unnoticeable but I caught onto it. Her fingers curled into the duvet. 

“He didn’t tell me he was coming.” She said.   

“Sounds like him.”

Her eyes shot up. “You know him?” 

“I know his type.” 

She laughed, a small and coarse one. Then, she pushed herself up, swaying a bit before steadying herself. Instinctively, I took a step forward but she raised her hand midway, causing me to halt in my tracks. 

“I’m fine.” 

Time for dinner came and the table was impeccably set. No doubt. Aria sat to Richard’s right while I stood behind her, scanning through everyone’s expressions and movements. 

Ten minutes later, Adrian waltzed in like he owned the world in a tailored suit and in that smile, he was convinced was charming. Although, it happened to be the only charming thing about him. 

“There you are,” he said warmly, eyes on Aria. “I was worried sick.” She looked at him like she was seeing a stranger, like she couldn't recognise who he was. 

“You were?” She asked softly.

He reached for her hand but I blocked the contact by stepping forward before he could touch her. 

“Miss Hale needs space,” I said calmly and his expression tightened, a frown marring his beautiful face. I don’t know why I did that but something about him touching her just didn't sit right with me. 

He was a filthy scumbag.

“And you are?” 

“Kade Wolfe. Bodyguard.”

His gaze flicked over me dismissively. “Ah. Of course.” He turned his attention back to Aria. “Darling, I tried calling—”

“I know,” she interrupted midway. “I ignored them.” The silence that followed engulfed the entire table. 

That was until Richard cleared his throat. “Let’s eat.” Adrian took his seat like nothing was wrong. Like all was fair and square with the world. Like he wasn’t the first offspring of the devil. A spawn. 

I watched Aria as she lifted her fork to her lips, with trembling hands. Throughout dinner, she avoided his eyes. 

Good. Because I was trying my best to keep my hands to myself. 

Dinner went smoothly, even though the air was thick with tension. It was glaringly obvious that there was an elephant in the room to be addressed. Especially between Aria and Adrian. I couldn’t help but wonder what it was between them. 

After dinner, Aria wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin and got up abruptly. Adrian’s eyes followed her. He got up too. 

“I’m retiring for the night.” She announced, her hands resting on the chair for balance. It was so obvious she was struggling but no one cared. 

I wondered if it was intentional. 

When we reached the staircase, Adrian grabbed onto her hands. I saw red.  How dare he touch her? 

I stepped forward but she stopped me. “Let him.” 

He eyed me. “What’s going on, darling?” he asked, staring into her eyes. I wonder if he even sees her. “Are we good?” 

She shrugged his hand off her wrist. “Adrian,” She said calmly. “Get out of my house. I don’t want to see your lying, cheating face here again.” 

She paused.  

“You disgust me.”