Chapter 51

12:03 AM.

Lily Savigny irritably clicked the remote, the TV screen flickering between late-night infomercials and melodramatic soap operas. The noise only deepened her agitation.

Adrian Roland had vanished after dropping her off earlier.

His private line went unanswered. The company receptionist claimed he never showed up at work.

She gnawed at her nails, her gaze darkening as she stared at her phone. Had he gone to see that little bastard again?

What unsettled her most was running into Stella Valentine at the jewelry store today. Not only was that woman still alive, but she'd also borne Adrian a child.

She dialed his number again. The robotic voice informed her his phone was still off.

Beep—

The sound of the electronic lock disengaging made her head snap up.

"Adrian!" She rushed toward the door. "Where have you been? Your phone's been off all night. I was worried sick."

Exhausted, he bent to remove his shoes without looking at her. "Battery died."

"Liar!" Her lips pursed. "I called your office. They said you weren't there."

His expression darkened instantly. "You're tracking me?"

"I—I just missed you." She reached for his tie. "Darling..."

"Don't call me that." He sidestepped her touch. "We're not married."

Her face stiffened.

She leaned in to sniff his shoulder. "Let me check—"

"Enough!" He shoved her away sharply. "I'm tired."

"You're yelling at me?" Her eyes reddened instantly. "Guilty conscience? Seeing someone else?"

He massaged his temples wearily. "Stop being unreasonable."

"Unreasonable?" Her voice rose. "My fiancé disappears for a whole day, and I can't even ask questions?"

He stood and grabbed his car keys.

"You're leaving?" She blocked his path. "I knew it! Adrian, I've given you six years!"

Adrian closed his eyes briefly. "Lily, is what Joy said true?"

Her face drained of color.

"Did you have an abortion? Are you infertile?"

"She's lying!" Lily shrieked. "Stella caused my miscarriage!"

He held her gaze. "Tell me it's not true, and I'll believe you."

"...I didn't lie."

"Lily," his voice turned gravelly, "I despise liars most of all."

Her eyes darted away. "...Of course it's not true."

After a long silence, Adrian gave a faint nod.

She wrapped her arms around him from behind. "Are you worried I can't give you children? We can try... I'll treat Luna as my own..."

Her fingers began undoing his shirt buttons.

Adrian jerked awake, fastening them again. "Business emergency. I need to go."

Once outside, he slumped into his car and lit a cigarette.

His phone screen illuminated with Vincent's investigative report: Lily had indeed undergone an abortion. Though hospital records were erased, pharmacy purchases couldn't be falsified.

Through the smoke, he recalled the silhouette he'd seen at the old house today—Stella holding Luna.

That tiny, always-smiling daughter.

The cigarette burned his fingers, but he felt nothing.