Elena sat on the edge of the guestroom bed, staring at the silent phone in her hand. Her fingers hovered above the screen, torn between dialing her best friend or throwing the phone across the room. Everything inside her felt knotted—like tangled string wound too tight and ready to snap.
She had left the master bedroom again. After what happened earlier—the argument, the emotional tension, his half-confession—she couldn't pretend to sleep beside him like everything was normal. Because it wasn't. Not anymore.
Adrian had changed.
And so had she.
A soft knock startled her. Before she could even respond, the door creaked open and Adrian stepped inside. He wasn't wearing his usual cold mask of indifference. Tonight, his expression was unreadable, almost vulnerable.
"Elena…" His voice was quiet, hesitant.
She stood, crossing her arms. "Shouldn't you be with Michelle?"
A muscle in his jaw ticked. "I told you—there's nothing between us anymore. I came to talk to you."
"You've said that before," she replied sharply, her tone defensive. "And yet, I keep being reminded of your ex's existence at every turn."
Adrian stepped further in, closing the door behind him. "I know I haven't given you many reasons to trust me. I've failed more than I've tried. But I'm not leaving this room until we talk."
Elena let out a breath, tension vibrating off her. "Talk, then."
He looked at her for a moment—truly looked. "You asked me before why I married you."
She froze. The question she had buried deep inside for months resurfaced like a ghost, rattling her heart.
"I didn't marry you out of obligation," Adrian began. "At first, yes, I saw it as a business decision—my mother was pressuring me, the board needed stability. You were the perfect solution."
She laughed bitterly. "So I was convenient."
"No," he said quickly. "I thought you were convenient. But the moment I saw you at the engagement ceremony, something shifted. You looked like you wanted to run, like you hated the whole world. And yet you smiled. You endured it all."
Elena lowered her gaze, remembering that day—how alone she had felt. How fake it had all been.
"I admired you," Adrian said quietly. "You were brave. I just didn't know how to… handle you. I didn't know how to be a husband."
She blinked rapidly. "You didn't even try."
"I was scared," he admitted. "Scared of letting you in. Scared you'd leave, like everyone else eventually does."
The raw honesty in his voice made her chest ache. "I was already there. Every night. Waiting for you to see me."
"I see you now," he whispered. "I see you, Elena. And I hate myself for how long it took."
Silence stretched between them like a fragile string. One tug, and it would all fall apart.
Elena sat down slowly, her voice barely audible. "Do you love me, Adrian?"
The question hung in the air like smoke—thick, suffocating.
He knelt in front of her, taking her hands. "I'm not good at love. I didn't grow up with it. But every time you walk out of the room, I feel like I can't breathe. When you're hurt, it feels like my skin is burning. When you're smiling… I feel alive. I think that's what love is supposed to feel like."
Her breath caught. Her eyes stung.
"I'm still figuring it out," he continued. "But yes. I love you."
Tears slid down her cheeks, but she didn't look away. "Then show me. Prove it. Because I can't keep breaking every time you shut me out."
He cupped her face, his thumb brushing away her tears. "I will. From now on, I'll fight for you. For us."
Just then, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She blinked away the tears and checked the screen.
A message from an unknown number:
"You deserve better than a man like Adrian. He'll destroy you, just like he did everyone else."
Elena's heart dropped.
Adrian saw the look on her face. "What is it?"
She hesitated, then handed him the phone.
His eyes scanned the message. His expression darkened instantly. "This isn't the first one, is it?"
She shook her head. "They started a few weeks ago. At first, I thought it was just some angry ex… But now I'm not so sure."
Adrian's protective instincts kicked in. "From now on, forward every single message to me. I'll have our security team trace the number. No one threatens my wife."
Something in the way he said 'my wife' sent a warm flutter through her chest.
She managed a small smile. "You really mean it this time?"
He nodded, firm and unwavering. "I do."
They stayed in the room, curled beside each other on the bed—no passion, no pretense, just quiet understanding. For the first time, Elena felt like maybe, just maybe, they could rebuild from the ruins.
The next morning, Elena awoke to sunlight streaming through the windows and the smell of fresh coffee. Adrian had already risen, and a tray sat on the bedside table—coffee, toast, and her favorite fruit bowl. A small note rested beside it.
For my wife. Thank you for not giving up on me.– A
Her heart squeezed. She picked up the cup and smiled.
Later that day, as they entered the company building together—side by side, not one behind the other—whispers followed them. Elena heard none of it. For once, she didn't care about the judgment or the envious stares.
Because Adrian held her hand the whole way in.
In the conference room, Michelle stood in front of the glass panel, flipping through a presentation file. When she turned and saw them walk in, her lips curled into a sharp smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood. How lovely to see the happy couple."
Elena remained composed. "We're happier than ever. But thank you for your concern, Miss Sinclair."
Michelle's eyes flickered, then she turned her attention to Adrian. "I assume you've reviewed the latest acquisition proposal?"
Adrian nodded curtly. "I have. We'll proceed as discussed. Elena will be attending all executive meetings with me from now on."
The room went quiet. Michelle blinked. "Excuse me?"
"She's my wife and the rightful co-owner of Blackwood Industries. It's time people acknowledged her position."
Michelle didn't argue, but her clenched jaw betrayed her rage.
As they left the room, Elena leaned in and whispered, "Was that… necessary?"
Adrian smirked. "You wanted proof. Consider this my first step."
She squeezed his hand, unsure whether to laugh or cry. For the first time since their marriage, she felt like she wasn't invisible.
But as they stepped into the elevator, Elena couldn't shake the feeling that something darker was brewing behind the scenes.
Someone wanted to tear them apart.
And they weren't done yet.