Chapter 85 A DIFFICULT PATH
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AUTHOR’S POV
Adeline stepped inside the penthouse, the familiar scent of expensive leather and fine whiskey lingering in the air.
The space was dimly lit, its modern, luxurious interior bathed in golden hues from the chandelier hanging above.
Despite its elegance, there was something about this place that always felt cold, as if warmth never truly belonged here.
She had barely taken a step forward when a blur of movement rushed toward her.
“Adeline!”
Before she could react, strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Vladimir.
His grip was firm, his breathing heavy as if he had been waiting for this moment for far too long.
Adeline sighed softly, allowing herself to relax for a brief second. Despite everything—the bloodshed, the betrayal, the never-ending war—he was still her brother whom she needed to protect at any cost.
“Where the hell have you been?”
he demanded, his voice rough with concern, pulling back just enough to search her face. His eyes flickered with a mix of relief and anger, scanning her as if to make sure she was truly standing in front of him.
Adeline smiled faintly, a warmth blooming in her chest at his worry. Before she could answer, another voice pierced through the tension.
“Adeline!”
She turned to see Eva, her brows furrowed in worry as she approached. The older woman had always been a steady presence, someone who had looked after them when no one else had.
But tonight, there was something different in her gaze—something almost afraid.
“Where have you been?”
Eva asked, urgency lacing her tone, her hands gripping Adeline’s arms as if she needed proof that she was real.
Adeline gave her a reassuring smile, squeezing Eva’s hand gently.
“I’m fine.” She exhaled slowly before adding,
“I was… with Luciano.”
The room fell into immediate silence.
A single moment stretched into an eternity, the weight of her words settling into the space like an unwelcome guest.
And then—
Footsteps echoed in the hallway.
A slow, calculated rhythm.
Charles.
Adeline turned, already feeling his gaze on her before he even entered the room.
The moment he stepped into the living room, their eyes locked. A silent battle. A war of wills.
Charles had always been good at hiding his emotions behind that devilish smirk, but tonight, she could see something else lingering beneath his carefully curated mask.
Curiosity.
Calculation.
A dangerous kind of amusement.
His lips curled into a smirk, head tilting slightly as he spoke.
“Do you really want to back down?”
His voice was smooth, mocking, laced with something that almost sounded like pity.
“Do you want to enjoy a little romance while it lasts?”
Adeline’s jaw tightened, her patience wearing thin.
“Do not worry about my love life, Charles.” Her voice was steady, cold.
Charles let out a quiet chuckle, the sound low and taunting.
“As for revenge,” she continued, her eyes darkening,
“I won’t forget it even after I die.”
His smirk only deepened at her words.
“Luciano really got lucky with you, didn’t he?”
Adeline stared at him, her expression unreadable, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
And then—
“Wait…”
Vladimir spoke.
His voice was low, controlled, but there was an undeniable sharpness to it.
Adeline turned to face him, her heartbeat picking up speed.
His brows were drawn together, a flicker of something close to disbelief flashing in his stormy blue eyes.
“Are you dating Luciano?”
The question hung in the air, thick and suffocating.
Adeline didn’t hesitate. She wouldn’t lie to him.
Slowly, she nodded.
The moment she did, everything changed.
The warmth in Vladimir’s gaze disappeared, replaced by something cold, something dangerous.
His entire body tensed, his jaw clenching so tightly that she could see the muscles twitch.
“How could you?”
His voice was quiet, but there was an underlying fury beneath it.
“How could you date a man who’s involved in our father’s murder?”
Adeline exhaled sharply, already anticipating his reaction.
“Vladimir, he was not involved.”
She spoke with certainty, her gaze unwavering.
“Luciano would never hurt Dad.”
Her brother let out a bitter scoff, his fists clenching at his sides.
“Keep that explanation to yourself, Adeline.”
His voice was laced with frustration, his shoulders rigid with unspoken emotions.
“I don’t want to have any connection with those people. And neither should you.”
Adeline swallowed, her chest tightening as she watched him turn away.
She had always known that revenge was a slow poison, something that could seep into a person’s soul and consume them whole.
And tonight, she realized—
The seed of revenge that had been planted long ago…
…had grown into a tree with unbreakable roots, its branches twisting around them all.
This war was not just about their father anymore.
It was about who they were becoming.