Chapter 27 Derek's unexpected v

Chapter 27 Derek's unexpected v

Lilith’s POV
I could practically see fumes of smoke from Jayden’s nose as he stared me down but I wasn’t going to back down this time. He was probably used to people cowering in fear but not me, I would never let him intimidate me.
"I said," I began, my heart thumping against my ribs as I looked him dead in the eye, "that you're obsessed with a woman who isn't even—"
"Sir? Madam?"
The loud voice of a maid cut through the suffocating air immediately. We both jumped slightly as we turned to look at the maid that was standing by the door. Her eyes avoided us, like she didn’t want to be here. She clearly saw the little fight and didn’t want to be a part of it.
Well, I didn’t want to be here either but here we are.
I stepped back and released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, while Jayden’s angry eyes calmed down immediately as he cleared his throat.
"I am sorry to disturb you, but Mr. Derek is waiting for you downstairs in the drawing room. He says it is urgent."
Derek. I stiffened at the mention of his name and I saw how Jayden’s jaw tightened. After the incident at the hospital, I wasn’t sure I wanted to see him just yet.
"Tell him we will be down in a moment," Jayden said, his voice low but calculative.
The maid nodded and scurried away, eager to leave the drama she just witnessed behind.
The second she was gone, Jayden turned to me, his eyes hard. I could tell he had more things to say but with Derek’s unexpected arrival, we had to go see him."Go and change into something better immediately. And Lilith?" He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low, warning tone. "If you dare to prove stubborn in front of him or act in ways that would make him know we just had an argument, I will make sure the rest of your stay here is miserable. Do you understand?"
“I think it’s high time you realize your threats got nothing on me,” I said as I made my way out of the room. “I’ll get dressed and play the role you paid me for, no need to puff your chest up, while trying to intimidate me.”
I heard him swear under his breath but I didn’t stop until I got back to the room.
Ten minutes later, I had swapped my shorts and t-shirt for a cream colored silk dress that hugged my curves like a second skin. I didn’t do makeup so as not to appear too fake, but I glossed my lips and brushed my hair nicely, letting the curls fall naturally.
Jayden met me at the top of the stairs, and without a word, he reached out and slid his arm firmly around my waist. He pushed me against him a little too hard but with Derek just a couple of steps away, I could only bear it. He knew I couldn’t retaliate, that was why he pushed me like that. The heat of his palm through the silk made me want to flinch, but I leaned into him instead, resting my head briefly against his shoulder and wearing a small smile as we descended the stairs.
Derek was pacing around the drawing room when we walked in. When he saw us, he stopped immediately and tried to relax. He wasn’t looking good, he looked like he hasn’t had a good rest for days.
"Jayden. Celine," he said, stepping forward.
"Derek," Jayden replied, his voice warm and welcoming and nothing like the one I had faced back in that cramped room. But I knew it was all an act. "To what do we owe the surprise visit?"
Derek looked at me, his expression full of guilt. "I came to apologize to you,” he began as he turned towards me. “Celine, back at the hospital... I was out of line. My behavior was inexcusable, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I am deeply sorry, please.”

I felt Jayden’s fingers tighten slightly around my waist as a silent cue. I forced a soft smile onto my face, the kind of smile I imagined a woman like Celine would give. Although I felt inferior, my smile didn’t falter.
"It’s fine, Derek," I said, my voice steady and sweet. "It was a stressful day for everyone. I know you only had Jayden’s best interests at heart."
Derek seemed to relax as a small smile tugged at his lips. "Thank you,” he said, before turning to Jayden. “I value our friendship, Jayden. I wouldn't want a misunderstanding to ruin years of history."
“It’s okay, we are human after all,” Jayden said calmly.
As I looked at Derek, I noticed there was something off about him. He sure looked apologetic but I couldn’t help but feel he didn’t just come here to apologize. His eyes held so much more.
They exchanged a few more minutes of mindless pleasantries about business and the upcoming election, with Jayden playing the part of the relaxed, successful candidate without any flaw.
The whole time, his hand remained on my waist and he went as far as brushing my hair with his fingers in a romantic way a couple of times. Even though I knew he was faking it, I couldn’t help the flutter in my belly.
When Derek finally left, there was silence for the next few minutes as Jayden walked to the tall window and watched as he pulled out of the driveway.
“Jayden, there’s something about Derek—”
"He's lying," Jayden interrupted abruptly, as if coming to a conclusion.
"What?" I asked in alarm. I didn’t know that Jayden noticed something was off as well.
"Derek is never sincere when he's being that humble," Jayden muttered, turning to face me. He kept his voice low as if he was scared one of the maids would hear. "Even though we fell off, I know him well enough.”
“So what do you think he’s doing?” I questioned.
"He’s digging. He apologized to get back into our inner circle, to see if he could catch us in a slip-up. He knows something is off, and he won't stop until he finds a loophole."
"What do we do?" I asked, my mind thinking of everything all at once.
"We tighten the circle," Jayden said firmly as he walked closer to me. "I don't like Ariel being at Kensington anymore. It’s too public and Derek knows she’s there, which makes her a target for his curiosity."
"You're moving her?" I asked, my heart skipping a beat. Not Ariel.
"Tomorrow," Jayden confirmed, meeting my eyes. "I'm having a medical suite set up in the east wing of the house to make her safer. I know the doctors are taking care of her but we cannot risk her being in danger.”
“What do I do?” I asked in alarm as I thought about the safety of Ariel. I would not forgive myself if anything happened to her.
“Being my wife is enough work, I’ll handle the rest.”