Chapter 3

Fifteen minutes later, a sleek black Maybach pulled up to the curb.

The door swung open, and Adrian stepped out holding a large black umbrella.

I hadn't seen him in years. He looked sharper, colder, and far more imposing than I remembered.

His tailored black overcoat was damp with rain, his chiseled jaw set in a hard line. Around his left wrist was a simple, polished black beaded bracelet.

Suddenly, I couldn't look him in the eye.

Adrian walked up to me and tilted the umbrella entirely over my head.

He looked down, his gaze taking in my soaked dress, shivering frame, and scraped, bleeding palms. His eyes instantly turned deadly cold.

"Did Julian Hayes do this?"

I didn't answer. I just looked at him with raw desperation. "Take me with you."

He didn't ask questions. Without a word, he took off his warm overcoat, wrapped it tightly around my shoulders, and lifted me into the car.

The heat was blasting inside. Adrian handed me a dry towel.

"Dry your hair first."

I took it, my throat tight. "Aren't you going to ask why I reached out to you?"

"You'll tell me when you're ready."

I clutched the towel. "I was supposed to have my engagement party with Julian tomorrow."

"I know."

"I ran away."

"Good."

I glanced at him and chewed my lip. "I also need you to help me take back everything my mother left behind."

Adrian finally turned his head to look at me.

I braced myself for his mockery. Seven years ago, I had screamed the most vile things at him.

I called him a murderer, a hypocrite, and told him I wished he would drop dead so I'd never have to see his face again.

Instead, he just asked quietly, "What do you want back?"

A lump rose in my throat. "Everything."

A flicker of rare emotion brushed through his dark eyes.

"Done."

I froze. "Just like that? You're agreeing without asking for anything?"

He handed me a tumbler of warm water. "Yes. I will give you whatever you ask for."

I was speechless.

By the time the car drove through the heavy iron gates of the Sterling Estate, it was already one in the morning.

Unlike the ostentatious Hayes mansion, the Sterling estate was understated, surrounded by towering pine trees and stone courtyards.

Adrian had his private physician waiting.

The doctor treated the cuts on my hands and knees, confirming they were only superficial scrapes.

Adrian stood by the doorway the entire time, his expression dark and tense.

After the doctor left, I sat on the plush sofa, cradling my warm tea. In a small voice, I murmured, "I'm sorry."

The room fell dead silent. After a long moment, Adrian's throat moved as he swallowed.

"For what?"

A sharp pang hit my chest.

There were so many things. So many that I didn't even know where to begin.

I lifted my head to meet his gaze.

"Seven years ago, did my mother's car accident have anything to do with you?"

Adrian's eyes darkened. "No."

Tears blurred my vision. "Then why did everyone swear it was you?"

I had a gut feeling that Adrian knew the truth behind her death.

Before he could speak, hurried footsteps echoed down the grand hallway.

The butler appeared at the door. "Mr. Sterling, the Hayes family is here."

I stiffened instantly.

"Want to see them?" Adrian asked, rising to his feet.

I wiped my eyes and nodded firmly.

Julian stood in the center of the foyer, looking furious.

Chloe was right behind him in her wheelchair, a fragile white shawl draped over her shoulders, flanked by Julian's private doctor and several bulky bodyguards.

When Julian saw me coming down the stairs, the anger in his eyes flared.

"Mia, come here right now."

In the past, whenever he spoke in that commanding tone, I would obediently walk over.

This time, I stayed firmly beside Adrian.

Julian's gaze dropped to the oversized men's coat draped over my shoulders, and his face twisted into a scowl.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

I looked at him calmly.

"Saving my own life."

Chloe's eyes welled with tears.

"Mia, did you misunderstand us? Julian searched all over the city for you in the rain. He was so worried about you."

I let out a harsh laugh. "Worried that I wouldn't make it onto the operating table on time?"

Julian snapped, "Mia Thorne!"

Adrian shifted his cold gaze to Julian, his voice dropping an octave. "You're in my house. Don't you dare raise your voice at her."

Julian sneered. "Adrian Sterling, she's my fiancée!"

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"