Chapter 69 Chapter 69
Third Person POV
"Fine, I will marry you"
As soon as these words left Cynthia's mouth, a triumphant smile spread on Adrian's lips. His eyes flickered with pure joy. The tension in his shoulders evaporated as his body became excited while Cynthia watched him blankly, with a stone face. It was not something she wanted or ever thought of.
It was not a marriage for her. It was just an adjustment, a transaction made out of fear for the protection of her daughter and her unborn child. He can't possibly fight him with her most precious jewels at stake.
"This is the best decision that you have ever made" he whispered "you would not have grown through all this if you had just accepted my offer before"
Cynthia just stared at him, trying to control the tears burning in the back of her eyes.
Adrian sighed heavily before adding, "I swear, you will never regret it"
But in reality, Cynthia was already regretting it. The victory in his voice made her skin crawl, and the way he looked at her made her feel like an object he had finally bought after years of saving. The smile on Adrian's face disgusted her.
She focused solely on her breathing, ignoring the racing of her heart. She was no longer going to listen to her heart; it had led her to Lucien, and look where that had ended. Now, she would listen only to the logic of survival, because two more lives are now dependent on her and her decisions.
Adrian was lost in his own world. He could see his dream turning into reality. In his mind, he was already designing their future together. He will keep her just for his eyes, locked away and safe from the world. She will carry and raise his kids, and finally give him the family he always wanted.
His family.
"Adrian" Cynthia's voice snapped him out of his world "What is your relationship with Alister?" she asked suddenly.
Adrian blinked, the smile on his lips flattened slowly. "Huh?" He was not expecting this question from her, all of a sudden.
"Alister?" Adrian asked "What are you saying?"
Cynthia inhaled a sharp breath and let the silence settle between them for a few seconds before she spoke, "You cannot simply keep me safe from Alister, unless you either work for him, or you work with someone even stronger."
Adrian remained silent.
"I have the right to know the man, I am marrying. Right?" She questioned him further "And you were going to tell me something about yourself the night, you met with an accident. I am yet to know how you arranged so much money within a few hours that day"
Cynthia waited for a few seconds for her to respond but he remained quiet.
"You claimed to have assets in the court. The card you gave to me had enough money for Aurora's surgery yet you offered to sell the house instead of lending me money. Why?"
Cynthia wanted to ask all these questions loudly and firmly but her body wasn't cooperating.
"You were an orphan, right?" She asked.
Adrian just listened to her patiently. He tapped his fingers waiting for her to finish. At first, he wasn't pleased by her questions but then his expression shifted. He looked amused, as if she were a child asking how a magic trick was performed. He leaned forward with a slight dark smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Yes, I am an orphan, Cynthia" he said "But that doesn't mean I haven't worked. I have some acquaintances too that helped me" he smiled "and I will tell you the rest of the things in due time"
Cynthia's eyes rolled as she looked away. He is never going to tell her the truth.
"For now," Adrian took her palms in between his, grabbing her attention "...all you need to know is that as long as you are with me, Alister will not hurt you or Aurora," he said, casually "I have enough on that man to keep him buried for three lifetimes"
My eyes narrowed at him but he continued, "And Lucien? Lucien will be kept on a very short leash. He won't be a problem for us anymore."
He chuckled and leaned further towards Cynthia.
Suddenly she became alert when he kept leaning further, reducing the gap between them. His palms slowly moved up from her elbows to her shoulders, massaging them slightly. She was about to lean back but he read her move and held her shoulders tightly.
"Now, don't ruin this moment for me, Cynthia. I have waited for this for years, for you to finally say those words." He whispered, looking in between her eyes. "I watched you cry for a man who didn't deserve a single one of your tears. Do you have any idea what that did to me?"
His gaze slowly flicked down to her lips and his thumb moved up to trace the line of her jaw.
Cynthia felt revulsion the moment his nose brushed against hers and just as his lips were about to touch hers, she jerked her head to the side and his lips met the cool, pale skin of her cheek instead.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Adrian buried his face against her neck, breathing heavily. Cynthia could feel his hot and heavy breath against her skin as he tried to control himself.
"After marriage" she mumbled with closed eyes. Her voice didn't shake, even though her soul was trembling.
She knew that if he tried to force himself, she wouldn't be able to even stop him.
She could feel the vibration of a low growl in his chest before he slowly pulled back.
"Fine," he muttered, under his breath and Cynthia let out a deep breath of relief "I have waited for years, a few more hours won't kill me"
His gaze then dropped from her face to her stomach. His eyes suddenly darkened and his look became murderous.
"Tomorrow, we are going to get rid of this first thing in the morning," he announced flatly. "I have already made an appointment at a private clinic. By noon, we will be able to start our lives with a clean slate, just you, me, and Aurora"
Cynthia noticed how his voice dropped when he mentioned Aurora's name but she ignored it for the time being.
"No Adrian" she licked her lips before stating, "I am not aborting this child,"