Chapter 71 Bury Them Legally
Adrian's POV
Reynolds' words keep replaying in my head as I walk towards Darcy's room. My eyes are bloodshot with my tie hanging loosely in my hand.
Who do they think they are to accuse me of all that? No matter what happened, I've always been conscious, doing everything for the sake of my child and now, my past weak moments has become a weapon against me.
Placing my hand on the doorknob, I don't twist it. Instead, I breathe in and out, making sure to conceal half of what I'm going through.
After a while, I slowly twist the door and take a step in, before I raise my head. Darcy is busy dressing Hazel up.
They referred to Darcy as a third party.
But she has done more for Hazel than they ever will.
My nose flares. No matter what happens, I can't let Darcy suffer any injustice. She doesn't deserve it.
"Baby?" She calls out a bit surprised.
I snap out of my thoughts and plaster a tight lipped smile on my face.
"Welcome my love!" She beams.
How can they accuse such a happy and caring person to be a threat to Hazel?
I open my arms to hug her but she carries Hazel and place her on my chest. This time, the smile is small but genuine.
"My baby has been missing you all day. Now that you're here, she'll need your undivided attention," she smirks, resting her hands on her waist.
Normally I will tease her about being her baby too but I'm not in the right phase of mind.
"C'mon babe, sit down. You must be exhausted." She adds.
"Thank you," I say as I kiss the side of Hazel's head.
"Baby, what's wrong? You seems off," Darcy worries quietly.
Thankfully the doctor walks in before I can reply her.
"Good day, Mr. Ashford," he greets with a wide smile.
I give him a curt nod.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Ashford has fully recovered and can now be discharged. All you have to do is sign the paperwork," he announces.
My eyes widen and I snap my head to look at Darcy who's smiling. This is the surprise she told me about.
I stand up and shake the doctor, "thank you for everything."
"I'm just doing doing my job. But I'm glad I'm able to help," he nods before facing Darcy. "Remember what I told you."
Darcy grins nervously but nods anyway.
"Alright, then. That'll be all." He leaves, closing the door.
A few moments later, I sign the discharge papers, while Darcy carries Hazel out of the hospital.
Soon, I'm driving as we head back home. The car is awfully quiet and awkward.
My thoughts wander off as my eyes focus on the road. I'm glad Darcy is better but I know what lies ahead.
She must be disappointed in me for being scared. I know I shouldn't worry about everything because it's not all things that I can control.
But for Hazel and Darcy, I'm pushing myself too hard.
"Adrian?" Darcy calls out, jolting out of my thoughts and I blink slowly so it doesn't seem like I didn't zone out.
"Yeah, baby."
My voice is a bit lower than I intend. I can feel her eyes drilling holes into the side of my head but I don't dare look at her, else she sees me vulnerable again.
"Are we really doing this now? Today of all days?" Her voice is hoarse but stern.
I gulp and clench my jaw, not knowing what to say to her. It's supposed to be a day that calls for celebration but I'm ruining it.
From the corners of my eyes, I see her staring outside of the window.
We had this conversation few days ago. We've gone past that, so it's wrong for me to let my feelings ruin things between us again.
I lick my lips and breath out. "Uhm, babe are you hungry?" I ask.
My heart beats faster as the silence stretches. She doesn't answer.
I deserve that but I refuse to give up.
"Your favorite lasagna restaurant has reopened. Do you mind if we check it out?" I ask.
She shifts, readjusting herself on the seat.
"Ma...ma."
"Da...da."
Hazel calls out from her baby seat.
Darcy finally turns, not for me but to look at Hazel. "Yes, baby."
"Maybe she really wants us to get the lasagna," I chip in with shaky voice.
She hums in response before facing the road. "No, thanks."
"Do you want anything else?" I ask again, trying to get her to talk but she doesn't budge.
She closes her eyes and lean further into the seat.
Her cold voice isn't that only thing killing me but the one-word response. I close my eyes and tighten my grip on the steering.
After a few minutes, I drive into my premises. Based on my instructions, the incompetent guards have been replaced with better ones, after passing the tests I set.
They are patrolling and it looks a bit too serious.
Our plan was to have a home not just a house. Somewhere Hazel can grow up freely and enjoy her childhood but it's not possible at the moment.
I'm trying to protect her innocence at all cost.
A lot of eyes are on us.
The mysterious mastermind.
The Carlton family.
Darcy doesn't say anything to me as she carries Hazel and head inside.
"Is there anything suspicious that you want to report?" I question Julius and he shakes his head.
"No, sir."
"I want you to remember this, never slack off even for a second because a lot can go wrong within a short time," I remind him.
"Noted, sir."
I open the boot of the car and take out the bags. I head inside but I don't see them in the living room.
I head to our room directly. Hazel is sleeping on the bed, while Darcy crosses her legs, her eyes focus on me. Like she's waiting for me to walk through the door.
"You scared me baby," I gasp as I drop the bag on the floor. Closing the door behind me.
"Tell me what happened," she asked with a calm voice but I know beneath all that calmness is brewing chaos.
There's no turning back now. I sigh and walk towards the sofa opposite her and sit on it. I clamp my hands together.
"I was served today. Camille's family are suing me for being a negligent father and they want to take custody of Hazel." I finally spell it out.
"Wait, what? They really did it?" She looks at Hazel immediately.
"What do you mean? You sound like you know it will happen?" I raise my eyebrows.
She taps on the bed. I walk towards her and sit beside her. She turns to face me properly.
"On the day they came here and I refused to let them see Hazel, Nora got angry and threatened that they would take Hazel from us legally. But I fear that they are not doing this because they really care about Hazel."
"Do you know what it is about then?" I ask.
"Julius overheard them arguing about getting Hazel as that is the only way to save their company from filing for bankruptcy." Darcy adds.
An evil smirk dances on the corners of my lips. So this is about money.
I can't let them win. Not even gain partial custody because it will grant them permanent access to me, give them opportunity to manipulate Hazel's trust fund and inheritance.
Darcy holds my hand, looking at me. "You fear that I will break down but I won't because this time, you're here with me."
"You don't have to carry everything alone," she adds and I nod.
"Give me a minute," I stand up and walk to the balcony, dialing Reynolds' number.
"Track every financial transaction linked to the Carlton family. And find out the real reason behind their bankruptcy.
"If they want war… I’ll bury them legally before I destroy them personally."