All Chapters of The Bride he never wanted : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Eva stared at the photograph.Noah was asleep beneath the hospital lights.And beside his bed stood Dr. Mason.Alive.Her fingers tightened around the phone."He's there."Adrian's expression was unreadable."Yes.""We have to go.""We will."She looked at him."Now."Adrian nodded."Now."---The drive to St. Mary's was silent.Eva kept staring at the photograph.She couldn't understand why Dr. Mason had appeared now.After all these years.After everything that had happened."Adrian?""Hm?""Do you think he knows who I am?""He already knew your mother.""That's not what I mean."Adrian glanced at her."You think he knows about the necklace.""Yes."He was quiet."Then we make sure he doesn't get it."Eva touched the pendant beneath her clothes."I won't let him."Adrian reached across the seat and took her hand."Whatever happens, stay beside me."She squeezed his hand."I will."---When they arrived at St. Mary's, security was already waiting.Daniel had doubled the guards around

The drive back to Blackwood Tower was painfully quiet.Eva sat beside Adrian, staring through the window.The city moved around them, completely unaware of what was happening.She kept thinking about the photograph.Daniel.Noah.The message.Your friend is alive. For now."Adrian.""I'm listening.""What if Daniel really betrayed us?"He looked at her."Then we'll find out.""And if he's in danger?""We'll get him out."Eva nodded, but the worry remained.Adrian reached for her hand.She looked down.His fingers gently wrapped around hers."We're not letting anyone take you."She looked at him."You're always saying that.""Because it's true."A small smile appeared on her face."You're becoming predictable.""Only when it comes to you."Her smile grew.For a moment, the danger disappeared.Then the car stopped.Eva looked outside."We're here."Blackwood Tower stood ahead of them.But something was wrong.The entire building was dark.Adrian immediately released her hand."Stay in t

Eva stood completely still.The drive felt heavier in her hand than it should have.Clara's words kept replaying in her mind.Your father did something to Eva's family.She looked at Adrian.He was staring at the ground, his expression impossible to read."Adrian."He finally looked at her."I don't know what she was talking about.""Do you believe her?""No."The answer came quickly.Then he paused."But I don't know what to believe anymore."Eva nodded slowly.She understood.Every truth they uncovered seemed to lead to another lie.Margaret stepped closer."Adrian, you need to listen to me."He turned toward her."What did my father do?"Margaret's face fell."Your father made mistakes.""That's not an answer.""He was trying to protect you.""Everyone keeps saying that."Adrian's voice became strained."I've spent my entire life believing my father was a good man. Then I find out he was connected to The Circle. Now Clara claims he hurt Eva's family."He looked at Eva."I need the

Eva's fingers rested on the lid of the box.For several seconds, she couldn't bring herself to open it.Adrian stood beside her."You don't have to do this."Eva looked at him."Yes, I do."She lifted the lid.Inside was a stack of photographs, several letters, and a small velvet pouch.She picked up the first photograph.It showed her father standing beside Adrian's father.Behind them was a much younger Margaret.Eva turned it over.There was handwriting on the back.The alliance begins here.She picked up another.This one showed Eva as a baby.Her mother was holding her.Beside her stood Adrian's father.Eva frowned."Why was he here?"Margaret looked at the photograph."Your parents trusted him.""But why?""Because he was helping them."Eva picked up another photograph.This time, Adrian was a little boy.He was standing beside Eva's crib.Eva stared."You knew each other before we met."Adrian looked at the photograph."I don't remember this."Margaret nodded."You were both ve

The old estate was quieter than Eva expected.After everything they'd uncovered, she had imagined the place would feel threatening.Instead, it was almost peaceful.Adrian led her into a small sitting room at the end of the hallway."Stay here for a minute," he said. "I'll check the rest of the house."Eva caught his hand before he could leave."Don't."He turned."Don't leave me alone."His expression softened."Okay."He closed the door.For the first time since they had arrived, it was just the two of them.Eva sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at the floor."My mother could be alive.""I know.""What if she is?""Then we'll find her.""And if she doesn't want to see me?"Adrian sat beside her."She will.""You don't know that.""No."He paused."But I know that if she doesn't, it won't be because you weren't worth coming back for."Eva looked at him."How do you always know what to say?""I don't."A small smile appeared on his face."I just know what I want you to hear."She l