Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen
Nicholas’s POV

I watched Adrianna from across the dining hall, my fork frozen halfway to my mouth.

Something wasn’t right.

She sat at the long table, posture unnaturally straight, hands folded neatly in her lap. A small, polite smile rested on her lips as she listened to Julia, who was talking animatedly about something—probably one of her usual gossipy, self-indulgent stories. But Adrianna wasn’t really engaging. She was just… there.

It wasn’t just tonight. Lately, she has been different.

Some days, she barely spoke, her eyes distant and unfocused, as if she weren’t truly present. Other days, she was overly agreeable, nodding along to conversations without much thought, as though she were on autopilot.

Tonight was one of those days.

I knew Adrianna. She wasn’t the type to sit quietly, pretending to be interested in Julia’s incessant chatter. Normally, she would have found a way to slip in a sharp remark or change the subject. Instead, she just sat there, nodding in the right places, offering polite, meaningless responses.

Something was wrong.

I set my fork down, my appetite vanishing. Instead, I studied her more closely.

Her fingers, though neatly resting on her lap, trembled ever so slightly. Her eyes flickered too often, as if she was hyper-aware of her surroundings but trying to appear calm. Even the way she held herself was too rigid, like she was forcing composure.

Julia, on the other hand, looked smug. She carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew she had control.

The thought made my grip tighten around my glass.

Has something happened between them?

Dinner dragged on, and Adrianna remained locked in that unnerving state of false composure. I barely touched my food. My mind was too busy piecing things together, trying to figure out what had changed.

Had she and Julia argued?

Had something—or someone—forced her into submission?

Finally, the meal ended, and everyone began dispersing. That was my chance.

I caught Adrianna alone in the hallway. She was walking slowly, her delicate fingers grazing the wallpaper, lost in thought. She didn’t even notice me until I stepped in front of her.

"Adrianna," I said, voice low.

She startled slightly but quickly masked it, schooling her features into a neutral expression. "Nicholas," she greeted, her tone measured.

I studied her face, searching for any cracks in her mask. "Are you okay?"

She blinked up at me, feigning confusion. "Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?"

The words came too quickly, too rehearsed.

"You’ve been… different lately," I said, narrowing my eyes.

She let out a soft laugh, but there was no real amusement in it. "Maybe I just needed time to adjust."

Adjust? To what?

"You don’t have to pretend with me," I pressed, lowering my voice. "If something is wrong, you can tell me."

Her fingers twitched, gripping the fabric of her dress as if grounding herself. "I’m fine, Nicholas."

I didn’t believe her.

Before I could push further, movement at the end of the hallway caught my attention.

Julia.

She stood there, half-hidden in the shadows, watching us with sharp, calculating eyes. The moment Adrianna noticed her, she stiffened beside me.

"I have to go," she said quickly, forcing a smile before brushing past me and heading toward Julia.

I watched as she disappeared down the corridor, my unease growing by the second.

Something was very, very wrong.

The feeling of unease didn’t fade.

I found myself wandering toward the study, unable to shake the sense that I was missing something important.

Sebastian was already there, comfortably lounging in a leather chair, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He looked up as I entered, his expression unreadable.

"Something on your mind?" he asked, swirling the amber liquid lazily.

I leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "It’s Adrianna. She’s not herself."

Sebastian took a slow sip. "She’s been through a lot. Maybe she’s just tired."

"No," I said, shaking my head. "It’s more than that. Some days, she won’t even look at me. Other days, she acts like nothing is wrong. It doesn’t make sense."

Sebastian tilted his head slightly, studying me. "What are you saying?"

I hesitated, knowing how crazy it would sound. "I think something’s being done to her. Maybe… maybe someone is influencing her."

His lips twitched in amusement. "Like who?"

I met his gaze. "Julia."

Sebastian chuckled, setting his glass down with a soft clink. "Come on, Nicholas. That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?"

"Is it?" I challenged. "You’ve seen how she controls everything around here. And Adrianna… she’s not acting like herself."

Sebastian tapped his fingers against the armrest. "Maybe you’re overthinking it."

"Or maybe you’re not thinking enough," I shot back.

He let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "If you’re that worried, talk to Adrianna again."

I studied him for a moment, searching for any hint of deception. There was something in his expression—something careful, calculated. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

Still, I nodded. "I will."

I turned to leave, but the feeling didn’t go away.

The moment I was gone, Sebastian pulled out his phone.

Julia answered on the second ring.

"Well?" she asked, her tone clipped.

"Nicholas is starting to question things," Sebastian said, his voice low.

There was a pause. Then, Julia sighed, irritation lacing her voice. "Keep him busy. He can’t interfere."

Sebastian smirked, swirling his drink lazily. "Consider it handled."

As I walked through the dimly lit hallways of the mansion, my mind spun with possibilities.

I had no proof—nothing concrete, just instincts and observations. But I knew one thing: Adrianna wasn’t safe.

I thought about how she flinched when I spoke to her, how her eyes darted toward Julia as if seeking permission.

No. Not permission. Fear.

Julia had something on her. Something powerful enough to break Adrianna’s spirit.

And if Julia had anything to do with it, I was going to find out.

Even if it meant going against everyone else in this house.