Chapter 40 Uninvited Comfort(Demilia’s POV)
“You don’t have to announce yourself every time, Adrian,” I said it lightly, but my heart jumped anyway when I heard his footsteps behind me.
“I know,” he replied, amused. “But considering where we are, I’d rather not get shot by your husband’s security.”
I turned slowly, folding my arms as I leaned against the window. The afternoon sun spilled across the room, not harshly, but warmly against my skin....a rare comfort these days.
“You’re being dramatic,” I said, my heart warming by just seeing him smile at me.
“And you’re smiling,” he shot back. “That’s progress. Since the day I set my eyes on you, I have always wanted to be close, to make you smile, and I'm gradually making that happen, even if you don't believe it ”
I hated that he noticed how his presence affected me. I hated even more that he was right. I hated it so much that he knows the right words to say, the time to say them, and how to act. He added so much sweetness to my life by just making himself available, by trying his best to fill the vacuum that Lena created.
Adrian Knight had started visiting three days after Lena was hospitalized.
At first, I assumed it was a coincidence, a simple courtesy visit. One of those polite gestures people made when tragedy struck close to powerful families, but then he came again.
And again, always unannounced, always calm. Always with that same unreadable expression...sharp eyes, relaxed posture, like nothing in the world could surprise him.
Unlike Ethan, Adrian never attempted hovering all over me. He didn’t interrogate.
He didn’t watch me like I might disappear. He just… stayed, making his presence matter. I would be asking for much if I asked him to stay longer, and I never attempted doing that. I just allowed him keep to his own pace. Only spoje when necessary, and not create moments that would lead us into making Ethan angry. With Adrian around, Ethan doesn't come around so often, as he doesn't want to come fare to face with him.
“You look better today,” Adrian said, walking closer. “Less pale like the other day.”
“I’m fine,” I replied automatically. He raised an eyebrow. “That’s a lie, but I’ll let it pass.”
I scoffed, not wanting him to suspect anything. “You’re too comfortable here.”
“Am I?” he asked mildly. “You haven’t asked me to leave.”
I opened my mouth...then closed it. That silence said more than words ever could.
All of a sudden, the door opened, very abruptly.
It was Ethan.
The temperature in the room dropped instantly, just at his presence. His gaze went straight to Adrian. Then, it landed on me. Then back to Adrian.
“I thought I made myself clear,” Ethan said coldly. Adrian turned calmly, unfazed. “Good afternoon to you too.”
“I don’t want you under my roof,” Ethan continued. “You’re not welcome here.”
I straightened instinctively. “Ethan...”
He didn’t look at me, not even a sign that he would. “This has nothing to do with you,” he said sharply, eyes never leaving Adrian.
Adrian smiled faintly, not mocking, not arrogantly, but dangerously calm.
“Actually,” Adrian said, “it has everything to do with her.” Ethan stepped forward. “You’re my business rival.”
“And family,” Adrian countered smoothly. “Or have you forgotten that part?”
Ethan’s jaw clenched in fury. “Our parents doing business together doesn’t make us family.”
“They were closer than that,” Adrian replied. “You know it.”
Silence stretched between them...this time, very thick, old, heavy with history I didn’t fully understand. Ethan finally spoke like it was needed. But he ended up saying rubbish, choosing the side of war instead of peace. It would rather stress me emotionally and mentally because of Adrian, than follow the doctor's order.
“You will always be my rival,” he said flatly. “Nothing else matters.”
Adrian tilted his head, acting so calmly. “That’s unfortunate.”
Then...to my shock...he turned to me instead. “Are you okay with me staying, for few more minutes?”
All eyes turned in my direction. My throat tightened, and my saliva dried up immediately.
Ethan finally looked at me, but this time, not commanding. It wasn't controlling as usual.
Just… watching, and waiting for my answer. I hated that my answer mattered at this point.
I hated even more that I knew exactly what it would do to him.
“Yes,” I said quietly. “I am.” Ethan’s expression didn’t change.
But something behind his eyes broke. He didn’t explode like he would have done before.
He didn’t even argue. He simply nodded once.
“Fine,” he said coldly. “But don’t mistake my silence for approval.”
Then, to Adrian, he said: “You’re not staying for dinner.”
Adrian smiled faintly, more like mockery. “Wasn’t planning to anyway.”
Ethan turned and walked out just like that without saying anything else. The moment the door closed, my knees weakened slightly. Adrian noticed that immediately.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly. I nodded, exhaling. “He pretends he doesn’t care.”
Adrian’s eyes darkened on hearing that. “Men like Ethan don’t pretend.”
“They only suppress,” I whispered. He studied me for a long moment, very selective of his words.
“You shouldn’t be alone right now,” he said.
“I’m married,” I replied automatically.
“That doesn’t mean you’re protected,” he answered gently. That sentence sat between us like a loaded weapon. From that day on, Adrian didn’t stop coming.
From morning visits, to evening check-ins, sometimes we talked, sometimes we didn’t.
Sometimes he just sat beside me in silence while I stared at the walls, my thoughts spiraling where Lena used to pull me back. And slowly... though it was terrifyingly...I began to look forward to his presence.
Ethan was quick to notice. Of course, he did, but he pretended not to. But his jaw tightened every time Adrian arrived. His eyes lingered longer on me than necessary.
His hand brushed my arm more often, subtle, possessive, restrained. He never told Adrian to stop coming again. But I knew that the war had begun.
And I was standing right in the middle of it.