Chapter 42 THE PROPOSAL

Chapter 42 THE PROPOSAL


Adeline's POV

Annabelle called again the next morning.
I'd barely slept, spending the night running scenarios, plans, ways to prove Grey was dangerous before he married my sister.

"Addy! I'm so glad you answered. I know you were surprised last night—"

"That's one word for it."

"But I was hoping we could talk. Because I need you to be okay with this. You're the only family I have, and if you don't support me..." Her voice cracked. "I need you to be happy for me."

The guilt hit hard.
"Belle, I am happy for you. If you're happy."

"I am! I'm so happy I can barely think straight. Grey is everything I've ever wanted. He's kind and attentive and he makes me feel safe."

Safe. The irony.
"When's the wedding?"

"Six months! I know it seems fast, but Grey doesn't want a long engagement. He says when you know, why wait? And I agree. Six months gives us time to plan but not so much time that we overthink it."

That wasn't enough time to fully investigate Grey. But maybe enough to find something.

"That's... soon."

"I know! But it's perfect. Spring outdoor wedding ceremony, everything I've ever dreamed of." She paused. "I want you to be my maid of honor. Obviously."

"Belle—"

"Please? I can't do this without you. You're my person. My rock. I need you there."

How could I say no…how could I refuse without explaining why? Without telling her everything?

"Of course I'll be your maid of honor."

"Really? You mean it?"

"Of course. You're my sister. I'll always be there for you."

Even if it meant watching her marry a man I didn't trust. A man who might be using her.

"Thank you! Oh, Addy, this is going to be amazing. I'm already looking at venues and dresses and—there's so much to do!"

"I can help. Whatever you need."

"Actually, Grey and I want to take you and Kayden to dinner. Tomorrow night? Please say yes. I really want us all to get along. To be a family."

A family…with Grey.
The thought made me sick.

"Tomorrow works."

"Perfect! Grey made reservations at Eleven Madison Park. Eight PM. Dress nice!"

"We will."

"I'm so excited! This is going to be perfect. You'll see. Once you get to know Grey better, you'll love him as much as I do."

I seriously doubted that.
After we hung up, I sat there staring at nothing.

Kayden found me in the library.
"You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Belle wants us to have dinner with them tomorrow, a celebration dinner."

"And?"

"And I have to sit there and smile and pretend I'm happy about this engagement while watching him manipulate her."

"Then that's what we do. We smile, congratulate them, and we watch."

"For what?"

"For any sign of who he really is. People slip up when they're comfortable. When they think they've won." He sat beside me.

"Maybe Grey will let his guard down. Give us something we can use."

"Or maybe he'll just keep playing the perfect boyfriend."

"Then we keep digging until we find the crack in his armor. Because everyone has one."

The next day dragged.
I tried to prepare myself, practice my enthusiastic responses.

So happy for you!
Grey seems wonderful!
Can't wait for the wedding.

All lies but necessary regardless.
Kayden watched me rehearse in the mirror.
"You're overthinking it."

"I'm trying not to strangle him on sight."

"That would definitely ruin dinner."

"Not helping."

He pulled me away from the mirror. "Listen. I know this is hard. I know you want to protect Belle. But tonight isn't about confrontation. It's about information."

"And if he says something that proves he's dangerous?"

"Then we document it. And we use it later."

"That's very rational."

"One of us has to be. And it's clearly not going to be you."

Eleven Madison Park was exactly the kind of restaurant Grey would choose.
Expensive, exclusive and impressive.

The kind of place that said I have money and taste.

We arrived five minutes early. Belle and Grey were already there.
Belle practically ran to me, throwing her arms around me.

"You came! I was worried you'd cancel."

"Of course I came. Wouldn't miss it."

She pulled back, beaming. Held out her hand.
The ring was beautiful. Elegant.

"It's gorgeous," I said honestly.

"Isn't it? Grey designed it himself. Had it custom made." She looked at Grey adoringly. "He's so thoughtful."

"Very thoughtful," I agreed.

Grey stood and extended his hand to Kayden first. Then to me.
"Adeline. Good to see you again."

"You too."

His handshake was firm, professional. His smile warm.
But his eyes were cold, assessing me the same way I was assessing him.

We sat and ordered drinks.
"So," Grey said. "I'm officially part of the family now. Or will be in six months."

"Congratulations," Kayden said. "Belle's a special person."

"She is. I'm very lucky." Grey's hand found Belle's. "When I met her, I knew immediately she was different. Special."

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Just a feeling. The way she smiled. The way she talked about her sister. About family. I could tell she had a good heart."

"She does."

"And good hearts are rare in this world. Worth protecting."

The way he said it. Like a promise. Or a threat.

"Adeline's always been protective of me," Belle said. "Sometimes too protective. But I know it comes from love."

"Family should protect each other," Grey agreed. "That's what makes us human."

"Is your family protective?" Kayden asked.

"My family is... complicated. We're not as close as I'd like. That's part of why Belle's family means so much to me. The chance to be part of something real. Something genuine."

He said all the right things. But it felt rehearsed.

"Tell us about the proposal," I said. "Belle mentioned it was romantic."

Belle lit up. "It was perfect! We were at our favorite restaurant—"

"The little Italian place in the Village," Grey supplied.

"Right! And after dessert, Grey got down on one knee right there in front of everyone. I was so surprised I couldn't even speak for a minute."

"I thought she was going to say no," Grey said, smiling. "Longest minute of my life."

"I would never say no! I love you so much."

"I love you too."

They kissed, brief and sweet.
And I wanted to throw up, because I could see it. The performance, the manipulation.
Grey wasn't in love with my sister.
He was using her.

"So," Grey said, turning to Kayden. "Belle tells me you're taking over the family business soon. That must be exciting."

"It has its moments."

"I imagine it's a lot of responsibility. A lot of pressure."

"It is."

"How do you handle it? The stress? The expectations?"

"One day at a time."

Grey nodded. "I respect that. Taking on a legacy. Honoring what your family built while making it your own."

"That's the goal."

"And Adeline, you've adjusted well to the family? From what Belle says, it's quite different from your previous life."

"It's definitely an adjustment."

"But worth it? Being part of something bigger than yourself?"

"That remains to be seen."

Grey smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Honest. I like that. Too many people in our world say what's expected rather than what's true."

"Our world?" I asked.

"High society. Wealthy families. The world of appearances and expectations." He took a sip of wine. "It can be suffocating if you let it."

"And you don't let it?"

"I try not to. I try to stay authentic. Real."
The word 'real' coming from him was almost funny.

Dinner arrived. We ate, made small talk. Belle chattered about wedding plans, venues she was looking at, dress styles, color schemes.

Grey listened attentively, asked questions and offered opinions.
The perfect fiancé.

But I watched him. Really watched him.
The way his eyes tracked the room, the way he positioned himself to see all exits, his body language shifted slightly when Kayden mentioned the family business.

This wasn't a man in love.
This was a man on a mission.

"Adeline," Grey said suddenly. "You seem distracted."

"Just thinking about the wedding. Six months will fly by."

"It will. But that's okay. I like knowing I'll be married to Belle soon. That she'll be mine. Officially."

The possessiveness in his tone made my skin crawl.

"Belle is her own person," I said carefully. "Marriage doesn't change that."

"Of course not. Poor choice of words." His smile widened. "I just meant I'm excited to start our life together. To build something lasting."

"What kind of something?"

"A family. A home. Everything Belle deserves."

"She deserves honesty. Loyalty. Someone who sees her for who she really is."

"I do see her. All of her. And I love what I see."

We stared at each other across the table.
And in that moment, I saw it. The mask slipping, just for a second.

His smile didn't reach his eyes.

He knew I didn't trust him.
And he didn't care.

Because he thought he'd already won.
After dinner, we said our goodbyes outside the restaurant.

Belle hugged me tight. "Thank you for coming. For being supportive. It means everything."

"Of course, Belle. I love you."

"Love you too."

Grey shook Kayden's hand. Then turned to me.

"It was good to see you both. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of each other. Family dinners, wedding planning, all of it."

"I'm sure we will."

"I'm looking forward to it, to really getting to know you both, understanding what makes you tick."

His eyes locked on mine. His smile didn't wave, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Cold. Empty. Dangerous.

"Drive safe," I said.

"Always do."
They left.

Kayden and I stood on the sidewalk.
"Well?" he asked.

"He's playing a role. Every word, every gesture is all calculated."

"I noticed. Did you see how he reacted when I mentioned the business? His whole body language changed."

"He's after something. Something to do with the family. And he's using Belle to get it."

"Then we need to figure out what before the wedding."

"Six months."
"It'll be enough. It has to be."

But as we drove home, I couldn't shake the image of Grey's smile.

Watching me like a predator watches prey.
He knew I was a threat.
And he was planning accordingly.