Все главы Owned By my father's Enemy : Глава 31 - Глава 40

The next morning Adaline walked quietly into the kitchen.Soft morning light filtered through the tall windows, and the comforting scent of coffee filled the room. Mrs. Margareta stood by the stove, carefully preparing breakfast."Good morning," Adaline said softly.Mrs. Margareta turned and smiled warmly when she saw her."Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well?"Adaline hesitated."I slept."Mrs. Margareta studied her face. The faint shadows beneath Adaline's eyes told her more than the answer itself."You look tired."Adaline rested her hands on the back of one of the chairs."I woke up later than usual," she said quietly. "I'm sorry about that."Mrs. Margareta waved the apology away."You do not need to apologize. Work can be exhausting, especially when you are still adjusting to everything."Her tone softened with concern."You have been working very hard."Adaline nodded slightly.For a moment she seemed unsure whether to speak again. Then the words slipped out."Mrs. Margareta.

It was early morning, and the house was unusually quiet. The weekend had a way of slowing everything down, leaving the halls of the large mansion wrapped in a calm stillness that rarely existed during the week.Ronan stood in front of the mirror in his room, finishing the last touches of his outfit. The morning light slipped through the tall windows, casting soft reflections across the polished floor and the dark wood furniture that filled the room. He adjusted the cuff of his shirt with careful precision, his movements controlled and deliberate.His face remained expressionless, but his mind was not as still as his appearance suggested.The image of the previous night replayed itself against his will.Adaline standing in the dim streetlight. The fear in her eyes. The bruises on her neck. And the way she had looked at him after he raised his voice. Ronan tightened the strap of his watch slightly, pushing the thoughts away before they could settle too deeply. At that moment, a soft kno

Something inside Adaline shifted the moment she heard those words.You are nothing like your father.The sentence did not sound dramatic or loud. It was simple and steady, spoken with certainty. Yet it carried a strength that loosened something tightly wound inside her chest. For years she had carried the weight of her father's mistakes. Even though she had never taken part in his actions, she had still felt stained by them. She had lived with guilt that did not belong to her, guilt that was forced onto her simply because she carried his name.But hearing Ronan say that she was nothing like him changed something deep within her.It felt as though a heavy chain had finally snapped. Her eyes filled instantly. Then she burst into tears.The tears came freely and uncontrollably, flowing down her cheeks as if her heart had been waiting for permission to release them. She did not try to stop them. She could not.Ronan noticed the change immediately.His expression shifted from calm to alarm

The evening air carried a quiet calm when they returned home. The drive had been mostly silent, not in an uncomfortable way, but in the kind of silence that held unspoken thoughts. Adaline stepped out of the car and followed Ronan inside, her mind already drifting toward the work that awaited her.As they entered the house, Ronan loosened his tie slightly and spoke without looking at her."Meet me in my study. I have something for you to work on."Adaline nodded."Yes, sir."She went upstairs first, taking a quick shower to freshen up. The warm water helped ease the tension in her body, but her thoughts remained active. After changing into something comfortable, she neatly packed her hair and made her way downstairs.She paused briefly in front of the study door before knocking."Come in."She opened the door and stepped inside. Ronan was seated behind his desk, but his eyes lifted the moment she entered. His gaze settled on her immediately, taking in her appearance, the way her hair

Mr. Rhodes smiled calmly, as though nothing unusual had just occurred."It is nothing," he said lightly."I was only asking her a few questions."He reached out and patted Adaline's shoulder in a way that made her skin crawl before walking out of the room without waiting for a response, leaving behind a heavy silence.Ronan's gaze followed him briefly before shifting back to Adaline."Are you okay?"Adaline nodded quickly."Yes, sir."But she was not looking at him."You are not looking at me."He stepped closer and gently lifted her chin with his hand, forcing her eyes to meet his. There was something fragile in them, something that looked like it was about to shatter. For a brief second, something tightened in Ronan's chest, but he let go almost immediately.Not now, he told himself. This was not the time."I am fine," Adaline said again, forcing a small smile.Ronan studied her for a moment longer before stepping back. Adaline turned away and began gathering the documents on the ta