Chapter 76

Ashleigh felt the air leave her lungs as Adrian's words echoed in the quiet room. She knew, deep down, that he'd been avoiding her after the karaoke celebration at her college. Yet, hearing him admit it so bluntly left her reeling. She stared at him, her heart pounding as though it might give out, the silence stretching far beyond what her fragile emotions could handle. 'Huh?" she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her mind scrambled to make sense of his confession, and Adrian, standing composed before her, nodded solemnly. 'Ashleigh," he began, his voice steady but tinged with regret. 'I knew everything. Mr. Atkinson informed me the moment you left for Robin College. I knew about your day-to-day activities—when you got injured saving Megan, when you started receiving those threats. I knew it all." Her breath caught as his words sunk in, each revelation like a weight pressing harder on her chest. 'I didn't reach out," Adrian continued. 'I thought I'd done enough by assigning people to keep you safe in my absence. I convinced myself that you didn't need me as long as they were there." Her throat went dry. Her gaze sharpened, disbelief and anger rising like a wave. 'So, you had people following me? Watching my every move? Is that supposed to make up for leaving me to fend for myself?" She pulled her hand out of his grasp, her voice trembling. Adrian exhaled, his calm demeanor breaking slightly. 'No, it doesn't. And I know that now." 'In Italy, I had no peace," he admitted. 'I thought leaving might make it easier to forget. But it didn't. I found myself checking on you every day through your bodyguards. When I wasn't working on uncovering the truth about your parents, I was asking about you." His voice softened. 'And I hated that I couldn't stop." Ashleigh turned away from him, hugging herself as she tried to process his words. She could feel the raw sincerity in his voice, but it only left her more confused. 'Why are you telling me this now?" she asked quietly, not daring to meet his eyes. 'Because I can't keep ignoring it," Adrian said, stepping closer. His hand reached for her arm, gently pulling her to face him. His eyes were softer than she'd ever seen, filled with emotions that made her heart race. 'Pushing you away," he murmured, his voice barely audible, 'only made me realize how much I care for you." Ashleigh froze, her breath catching. The words she had longed to hear felt almost unreal. 'W-what did you just say?" she stammered, her wide eyes searching his face as if to confirm he wasn't mocking her. 'I care about you, Ashleigh," Adrian said firmly, his voice gaining strength. 'More than I ever wanted to admit. After my mother, I never thought I could care about anyone else. But you—you changed everything. I care whether you're safe, whether you're happy, even who you're with." Ashleigh felt tears sting her eyes. Anger clashed with hope, her emotions swirling in a chaotic storm. 'I don't understand," she whispered, shaking her head. 'Why now, Adrian? After all the humiliation and heartbreak, why are you saying this now?" 'Because I can't stand to see you hurting anymore," Adrian admitted, taking her hands in his. 'I've been a coward, Ashleigh. I thought distancing myself would protect you, but I was wrong. I was so wrong." Tears slipped down Ashleigh's cheeks as she pulled her hands away and took a step back. 'No, Adrian," she said, shaking her head. 'I won't let you get my hopes up. Don't say things you don't mean. Don't make me believe in something that isn't real." 'Ashleigh—" Adrian began, but she cut him off. 'Don't!" she cried, her voice trembling. 'You've already broken my heart once. I can't take it again." Adrian stepped forward, his hands cupping her face. His touch was warm, grounding her even as she tried to pull away. 'I'm not lying, Ashleigh," he said softly. 'I care for you. Deeply. I don't want to hurt you anymore." Her resolve crumbled as he pulled her into his arms, her tears soaking his chest. She clung to him, the walls she had built around her heart crumbling under the weight of his sincerity. ************************* The Cagliari mansion was quiet, the late-night calm broken only by the soft footsteps of staff carrying out their final tasks. Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Turner oversaw the household with their usual efficiency, ensuring that everything was in order according to their boss's strict instructions. In the kitchen, Susan worked alongside Chef Larry, storing the utensils and plates from the day's meals. While Susan's concern for Ashleigh bubbled over in a stream of questions, Chef Larry's focus was elsewhere. 'Chef, do you think Madame is all right?" Susan asked, her voice filled with worry. 'They've been in there for hours. Do you think they're still arguing?" Larry forced a polite smile, his hands busy cleaning the countertop. 'I wouldn't know, Susan," he replied, his tone flat. Susan sighed, clasping her hands together. 'I hope he isn't too harsh on her. She's been through so much already." Larry's grip on the knife he was cleaning tightened slightly, but he forced a smile. 'I'm sure everything is fine, Susan. Why don't you finish putting away those dishes?" Susan nodded, her concern easing as she said a quick prayer under her breath. It was a habit she'd developed since Ashleigh had left for college. She found comfort in praying for her Madame, who always seemed to find herself in trouble. 'I'm sure she'll be fine," he said, his voice carefully neutral as she ended her prayer. Susan, oblivious to his thoughts, continued rambling. 'Madame is so headstrong, though. I'm sure she's holding her ground. I just hope they come to an understanding." Larry's patience wore thin, but before he could snap at her, Mr. Atkinson entered the kitchen. 'Chef Larry," he began, his tone brisk. 'Master Adrian has requested a strawberry smoothie, a cup of coffee, and a plate of pasta. Ensure it's ready within the hour." 'Of course," Larry replied, already reaching for ingredients. Susan rushed to Mr. Atkinson, her eyes wide with concern. 'How is Madame? Is she all right? Did she ask for me?" Mr. Atkinson gave her a measured look before answering. 'Master Adrian has also requested that some of Mrs. Ashleigh's belongings be moved to his room. She'll be staying there." Susan's face lit up with joy. 'Oh, Chef! That means they've made up!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands. Larry, on the other hand, struggled to hide his growing anger. As Susan hurried off to fulfill her Madame's instructions, Larry remained rooted in place, his mind racing as his grip on the knife tightened. His carefully constructed facade slipped for a moment as his lips curled into a sneer. Mr. Atkinson, ever observant, caught the flicker of emotion in Larry's expression. He said nothing, merely giving Larry a pointed look before leaving the kitchen. Susan, too caught up in her excitement, didn't notice Larry's shift in demeanor. 'I knew it! I knew they'd work things out!" she gushed, practically skipping out of the room to follow Mr. Atkinson. Alone, Larry slammed the knife he was holding onto the chopping board, his frustration bubbling to the surface. 'That idiot Ashleigh," he muttered under his breath. 'She's ruining everything." A slow, sinister smile spread across his face as an idea began to form. He slid the knife into its sheath and resumed his work, humming softly to himself. Ashleigh trusts me. That's all I need.