Chapter 208

"Why aren't you husband and wife?" Lillian asked, tilting her head.

Stacey hesitated. "We're… not yet," she finally said softly.

"When?" Kevin piped up.

Stacey sighed. "It's late. Bedtime story?" she offered, changing the subject. Lillian and Kevin, always eager for their mother's tales, immediately forgot their earlier questions.

"Okay!" Lillian chirped.

"The pigs!" Kevin exclaimed.

"Dragons!" Lillian countered, and a sibling squabble erupted.

Stacey tucked them into bed, then pulled out a storybook.

In Hivalis, Adrian watched Damian, a miniature Adrian himself, in their small house. Darkness deepened, and Isabella’s absence fueled his worry. "Miss Mommy?" he asked gently.

Three-year-old Damian simply stared. Adrian swallowed. "It's late. Mommy's not back. Let's go get her," he suggested. Damian's eyes lit up. He nodded eagerly, reaching for his father—a gesture Adrian treasured. He scooped Damian up, a rare occurrence.

Damian snuggled into his neck. Adrian smiled, changed his shoes, and headed out. He’d deliberately bought a used Volkswagen—Isabella loathed the wealthy, a resentment born of her sister’s ordeal.

Five years ago, Carly Graham, Isabella’s sister, had her life shattered. A wealthy scion drugged and assaulted her. They’d sued, but the scion’s money bought silence and lies. Carly was vilified, the evidence manipulated. The trial left both sisters scarred.

Isabelle, deeply resentful of the rich, especially the entitled, had no idea Adrian hailed from such a family. He meticulously maintained a modest appearance, hiding his wealth, terrified of Isabella's reaction. His low profile, unlike his more famous siblings, was a stroke of luck.

Carly's life was a struggle. Connor Zane, her once loving husband, had changed. He couldn’t accept what had happened and verbally and sometimes physically abused her. Divorce was discussed, argued over, yet never finalized. Even Isabelle couldn’t mend their broken marriage.

Early that morning, Ronald Zane, Carly's son, called. His father was missing, his mother distraught and injured. Isabelle rushed to her sister’s. Adrian wanted to go, but Isabelle insisted he stay with Damian.

Hours passed. Worry gnawed at Adrian. He finally decided to go to Carly's with Damian.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived. Damian, recognizing the building, wriggled to escape his car seat. Adrian quickly unbuckled him and carried him inside. Damian, sprinting ahead, reached Carly’s apartment door and knocked.

Inside, Isabelle and Carly sat in stunned silence as the knock echoed. They exchanged glances, wondering who it was.