Chapter 57: Life With Anna 1
Adrian arrives at the Blackwood mansion just before noon.
A maid and some guards help wheel Anna’s packed luggage into the trunk of Adrian’s SUV, while Luna Selene watches quietly from the staircase.
She walks over as Adrian reaches for the last suitcase, offering her son a sad smile. "Are you truly alright with this arrangement?" she asks gently. "You know you don’t have to force yourself."
"If this is what Nyra wants." Adrian shrugs, studying her face for a long moment.
"Mom..." His voice is unusually calm. "Is there something you need to tell me?"
She blinks in confusion. "About what?"
He searches her expression again. "Anything. Something I am supposed to know about myself?"
A crease forms between her brows. "No. Why would--"
"Okay." He nods slowly, though he doesn’t look convinced. "When Dad returns, I need to speak with both of you. Privately."
Then, without any other explanation, he picks up the last of Anna’s bags and quietly leads her toward the waiting car.
---
Anna doesn’t stop talking for the entire drive.
She sits in the passenger seat, surrounded by neatly packed designer bags, a small smile playing on her lips while Adrian keeps his eyes fixed on the road.
"This feels... right," she continues rambling, rubbing her tummy. "Like things are finally falling back into place. Don’t you think so?"
Adrian doesn’t answer, his jaw tight, seething deep down. But Anna takes his silence as permission to continue.
"I know you’re still confused because of Nyra, but you’ll understand eventually. Once the baby is born, we’ll finally be the family we were always meant to be."
His grip on the steering wheel tightens. "Anna."
"Hm?" she smiles brightly.
"Don’t."
Her smile drops. But that single word is enough to silence her for the rest of the journey.
---
The condo feels strangely warm when they arrive. It feels lived in, books stacked on the bookshelf he and Nyra set up before this whole mess. One dirty cup in the sink, a pen on the counter--the kind of space that makes you feel like you’re home.
But it was supposed to be for him and Nyra...
Adrian carries her suitcase past the living room, setting it in the hallway, near his door. "You’ll stay in my room."
Anna’s eyes brighten. "It’s just going to be like old times, bab-"
"I’m taking the couch," Adrian cuts her off, his face flat.
Her smile freezes.
Adrian walks past her into the bedroom with the luggage. He sets it down close to the huge wardrobe on the side, before ripping an extra blanket and pillow off the bed, then heads back toward the living room without another glance.
Anna follows after him in disbelief. "What are you doing, Adrian?"
"I told you."
"But... why?"
"Because I have a mate, Anna." He turns to meet her glistening eyes. "And I can’t share a bed with another woman."
Anna laughs awkwardly, convinced he’s joking. "Pfttt. Adrian, we’ve slept beside each other plenty of times."
"Before I was mated."
"I’m pregnant with your child!"
"And what?" Adrian glares down at her. "We already broke up, but I’m still showing up for you and our child." He runs a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "What else do you want from me, Anna!?"
Her expression crumples. "So that’s it?" she asks quietly. "I’m just... some random woman now?"
He exhales.
"I’m only letting you in here because Nyra asked. Don’t let this arrangement get into your head, because I promise you, if you try something stupid, you won’t like the outcome."
"But--"
"I’m not discussing this again." He walks away, leaving Anna standing alone in the hallway, fists trembling at her sides.
---
Hours later, the condo is quiet.
The lights in the living room are off, while Adrian lies stretched across the couch. There’s a terrible lakorn playing on the screen that Adrian isn’t following--but anything to distract him.
His thumbs fly over the screen desperately.
Adrian: Have you settled in?
Adrian: Did you eat yet?
She takes a second to respond.
Nyra: Yes.
Adrian: Good. And if there’s something you want to eat, tell me. I’ll bring it over.
Nyra: Thank you.
He sighs, still staring down at the screen. The real words he wants to say feel scary.
Adrian: Would you still come visit me sometimes?
Adrian: I miss you.
Adrian: You’re supposed to be the one here with me right now.
No reply.
He stares at the screen for a long time before another message appears. He can’t help how his heart stutters anytime he sees her name.
Nyra: You should rest.
Nyra: Goodnight, Adrian.
Despite everything, a small smile tugs at his lips. At least she’s responding, he tells himself.
He slides the phone back onto the center table, pretending like he understands what’s happening in the drama he stopped watching an hour ago.
Finally, the weight of the entire day catches up to him, and he falls asleep shortly after.
...
Something brushes against his waist as he sleeps. At first, he thinks he’s dreaming, but then the touch continues, even more persistently.
His eyes snap open, blurry at first until they settle on Anna kneeling beside the couch. One hand is caressing his thigh, while the other is already loosening the drawstring of his sweatpants.
What the fuck--
For one stunned second, Adrian just stares, the sheer audacity making him freeze.
Then comes the fury. Exploding through every vein, boiling like hot lava.
He grabs her wrist. Hard. And jerks it away, standing to his full height. "What the hell are you doing?"
Anna jumps, tears instantly filling her eyes."I- you used to like me doing this, didn’t you?"
Adrian stares at her, incredulous."Just what the fuck is wrong with you!?"
"I just miss you-"
"I’m mated!" he shouts at her, making her flinch slightly. He doesn’t even acknowledge it. "I have made myself crystal clear from the moment you walked through that door."
He steps back, breathing hard. "You will never touch me like that again, or I’ll break your fingers. Do you understand?"
Anna nods, tears streaming down her face as Adrian points toward the hallway.
"Now go to your room."