Chapter 149 This Time, I Won't Hesitate

Chapter 149 This Time, I Won't Hesitate
Adrian's POV

I lower the phone from my ear and stare at the black screen. My fingers tighten around it until my knuckles turn white.

Nora is dead.

I already knew it would happen, sooner or later.

The moment I walked out of that prison after telling her Camille was alive, I knew her days were numbered. Camille never leaves loose ends behind. She never gives people the chance to speak twice.

Still, knowing something will happen doesn't make it easier when it finally does.

As if he sensed that something was wrong, Maleek soon returns and stands opposite me.

"What happened?" he asks quietly.

I don't answer immediately.

I lean back against the chair and close my eyes.

I laugh under my breath.

Of course she moved first. "I was too slow."
Maleek frowns.

"What do you mean?"

I open my eyes. "Nora is dead."

The words hang between us.

Maleek's lips part but nothing comes out. "...Dead?"

I nod once. "Poison."

His shoulders slump. "Damn..."

Neither of us says another word. What is there to say? Someone just died. Another person because of Camille.

Maleek drags a hand across his face before dropping into the chair opposite mine. "So..." He swallows.

"This isn't just revenge anymore. It's murder."

I look outside the glass window.

"It has always been murder."

Silence stretches again. I don't like silence anymore. Silence gives my mind room to think. It reminds me of everything.

My chest tightens. I blink rapidly before forcing those thoughts away. If I keep thinking about that woman, I'll lose focus again.

And I can't afford that anymore. Not when Darcy's life is involved. Not when Hazel is still out there. I straighten in my seat. "Maleek."

He looks up immediately. "I'm listening."

"I need you to leave today."

He freezes. "Today?"

"The flight is already prepared."

His eyebrows knit together. "So soon?"

"I've thought about it. The earlier the better."

He nods slowly. "I understand."

"The doctor I told you about is already expecting both of you."

His expression softens. "They said patients who were told they'd never walk again..."

I cut him off gently. "I chose him because I already looked into everything."

His eyes become moist. He smiles faintly.
"You did out in a lot of work into planning everything."

I lower my gaze. "Darcy deserves more than hope. She deserves a real chance. If I can't give her peace, at least I can give her another opportunity to walk. To live. To smile again."

Maleek exhales slowly. "I'll protect her."
I look at him.

"I know." I pause for a minute. "I know you're scared that things may not go as planned." I rub my forehead, while he waits. Carefully listening to what I have to say.

"I've already thought about that. The hospital isn't public. Only three people know the exact location and the doctor, although he's famous, no one will know his whereabouts during that period." He nods.

"I'll cut every unnecessary contact. No social media. No public appearances. No routine. No information leaks." I continue calmly.

"If you notice anyone watching you, disappear immediately. There's no reason to play a hero
You don't have to fight because it will only bring more danger." Maleek nods.

"I will."

"I'll do the calling so none of you have to. In this whole arrangement, your safety as well as Darcy'smatters the most."

"And if I don't answer?"

"I'll keep calling until you do. Anyways, everything will still be under my control." He smiles weakly.

"You really think of everything."

No. I don't. If I did... Hazel wouldn't be missing. Darcy wouldn't be in a wheelchair. Camille wouldn't have escaped and I wouldn't be sitting here trying to fix a life that keeps falling apart.

"I've made enough mistakes." I say quietly. "I'm trying not to make another."

Maleek looks at me for a long moment. "You blame yourself too much."

Maybe.

Maybe not.

If I hadn't assumed that all was well, if I had investigated deeper and questioned things the more, maybe things would have turned out a bit better.

I shake those thoughts away. They're useless now. The past isn't changing but the future still can.

Maleek stands. "I should go prepare." He informs and I nod.

He walks toward the door before stopping halfway. He turns back. "Adrian."

"Hmm?"

He smiles sadly. "You'll need more luck than me."

I almost smile. "Probably."

"No."

He laughs softly. "Definitely."

I don't answer, because he's right. I've seen how cruel Camille can be.I'm about to declare war against a woman who once shared my bed.

Against the woman I once believed was my entire world.

Against the woman who knows almost every weakness I have.

Luck won't be enough.

He walks back toward me. Without saying anything, he pulls me into a brief hug. This time, I don't push him away.

After a few seconds he steps back. "Take care." He pats my back.

"You too." I give him a curt nod.

"And..." He hesitates. "Bring Hazel home. Darcy needs her baby."

My throat tightens. "I will."

He nods once before finally leaving. The door clicks shut. I'm alone again. I stare at the empty office. Everything feels strangely quiet.

Almost peaceful. Which scares me. Peace has become abnormal for me. I can't think of peace without having the feeling that something terrible is about to happen.

My phone vibrates on the desk.

Unknown number.

I answer immediately. "Mr. Ashford."

"Dylan."

His voice sounds lighter than it has in weeks. "I've been trying to reach you."

For unknown reason I swallow the lump in my throat. "What happened?"

"We did it."

I straighten, "did what?" I question.

"I recovered everything." He replies.

My heartbeat skips a beat
.
"The assets, frozen accounts, offshore investments, shell companies.... They're all back under your control."

I grip the phone tighter. "All of them?"

"Yes, boss. Every single one." I close my eyes and let out a shaky breath.

Finally. One good thing. It feels strange. Almost unfamiliar.

"I also traced where most of the diverted funds went." He continues.

"As expected, it leads back to the network we've been tracking." He informs. I don't need him to tell me it's Camille.

It has to be.

My jaw clenches. "What about the company stocks?"

"Everything is back in place, just like you ordered" he responds and pauses.

Dylan adds.."We can begin whenever you say."

I look out the window with my other hand tucked in my pocket. Not yet. Not until Darcy leaves.

If Camille discovers my next move before Darcy is safely out of the country, she'll strike. And I won't gamble with Darcy's life.

"I'll let you know when we are ready to move." I finally say.

"When will that be sir?" He asks.

"I can't say for now but I will." I reply. Careful enough, not to spill confidential matter about Darcy temporarily moving to another country.

"I understand, sir."

With that I hand up the call and toss my phone on the table.

A cold feeling settles inside my chest. I've spent weeks reacting. Weeks chasing shadows. Weeks watching Camille stay ten steps ahead.

Now... everything is finally moving.

Darcy will be safe. The company is back. The investigation is progressing. Camille has started making mistakes.

For the first time in weeks, it feels like the game has shifted.

I walk toward the window. Dark clouds gather above the city. Rain begins to fall. I stare at it quietly.

"I'm coming for you, Camille."

Not because I still love you.

Not because I still want answers.

Not even because you broke me.

I'm coming because you touched the two people I would destroy the world to protect.

This time..

I won't hesitate again.