EIRA POV:
"Wow… it tastes astonishing." Claira's voice was soft, dreamy, lost in the flavor.
I smiled faintly. At least someone was enjoying food in peace. I, on the other hand, was trying so hard to ignore those black eyes drilling holes into my skull, trying to focus only on this delicious food.
"You're an amazing chef."
What? No— I didn't—
"You should leave now."
That firm, merciless voice cut me off like a knife.
Why? Why is he always so desperate to throw me out? Can't he just let me breathe? Can't he let me eat in peace, even once?
"Adrain… I'm sorry for misunderstanding you. I truly am."
"I'm sorry."
"Please, just let me help you."
"If your talking is finished, you can leave," he replied flatly, not even sparing me a glance, his eyes fixed on his phone.
What does he think of himself? Can't he hear me? Why is it so hard for him to understand something so simple?
"Adrain… I'm not going anywhere." My voice hardened. "Tessy is my friend, and I will help her no matter what."
The moment those words left my lips, his eyes snapped up. Dark. Piercing. Burning with rage.
Oh God. I shouldn't have said that.
"Adrain… she was only trying to help," Claira whispered timidly, her voice trembling.
"Claira, I think you've finished your dinner," his tone was sharp, demanding, never once leaving my face. "So leave."
"But… Adrain—"
"I said leave. Now."
Claira flinched at the harshness in his voice. Her frightened eyes met mine, silently apologizing, silently begging me to be careful. She gave me a small, sympathetic smile and slowly left the room.
Don't leave me with him. Please. My eyes begged her not to go, but she was gone.
My throat tightened. I stared at the floor, terrified to meet his eyes.
"Why can you never listen to me?" His voice was low, dangerous.
"How many times have I told you to stay away from him? Yet you still came here. Alone." His voice grew harder with each word.
"What if it wasn't me who found you here? What if that bastard was here instead? What if something had happened to you?" His voice thundered, echoing with barely restrained rage.
His hand shot out, gripping my arm in a vice. He yanked me closer, his face inches from mine, his eyes burning straight into me.
"When I ask something, I need an answer." His voice was ice, his grip searing.
I kept my gaze down, silent. His hand tightened, his strength unbearable. My arm felt like it was burning under his iron grip, and I was seconds away from breaking into tears.
"I said, speak!" he demanded, jerking me even closer.
The pain and fear broke through. A single tear slipped from my eyes, sliding down my cheek.
The moment he saw it, his grip faltered. His hand dropped, as if my tears burned him more than fire ever could. He turned abruptly, storming away, and without another glance at me, slammed the door so hard it rattled through the walls.
I stood frozen in place, my body numb, my heart torn. My fingers brushed my sore arm gently, trying to soothe the ache.
"I don't think he'll come back tonight." Claira's voice came softly from behind me. She had crept back down the stairs.
"You should sleep here today. I mean… I know maybe you don't want to share a room with someone like me, but… if you're okay with it, we could."
I turned to her, tears threatening again, and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Claira, nothing was your mistake. Don't blame yourself. And I would love to share a room with you."
Her eyes glistened, a weak smile trembling on her lips. "Thank you, Eira."
…
But even later, I couldn't sleep.
So much had happened today—Peter, the truth about her baby, Adrain's fury. My mind wouldn't rest. Why did he leave like that? Why did it hurt so much that he did? Would he even come back?
"Will you keep moving like this the whole night, Eira?" Claira's sleepy voice broke my storming thoughts.
"Oh God, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's fine. I couldn't sleep much anyway."
I hesitated. "Claira… can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Will you tell everyone this is Peter's child? Aren't you afraid of what might happen?"
Her eyes clouded with fear. "I'm scared, Eira. What if he hurts my baby? What if he takes everything away?"
"You're right to be afraid. But… what about your child's future? What will you say when your baby asks about his father? People are cruel, Claira. They'll say things, terrible things. But no matter what—your baby deserves the truth."
Her lips trembled.
"And what if Peter did the same thing to Tessy? What if she wasn't strong enough to fight like you? You can't let him keep destroying lives."
She was quiet for a long moment.
Finally, tears welled in her eyes. "You're right. I have to do this. For my baby. So that monster doesn't ruin another girl's life." She gave me a shaky smile. "Thank you for being with me, Eira."
"Always."
"Adrain… he asked me to get a DNA test. That will prove it."
Relief rushed through me. "That will work. I'm sure of it."
She gave me a soft, teary smile. "Don't thank me. Thank Adrain. He may not seem like a good person on the outside, but inside… he is. Believe me, Eira. He truly is."
ADRAIN POV:
My cave echoed with destruction.
Sculptures shattered, furniture splintered beneath my fists. I smashed everything in reach, yet nothing could silence the torment inside me.
Her tears. God damn it, her tears.
Why? Why does it hurt like this? When that single drop slid down her cheek, I felt my chest rip apart. I could see anything—blood, death, war—but not her pain. Never her pain.
I slammed my fist into the wall, the skin splitting, blood smearing against the stone. My breaths came in ragged gasps, fury burning me alive.
I staggered, grabbed a bottle of blood, ripped the cap, and downed it in desperate gulps. The metallic taste did nothing to numb the storm inside.
Then my phone rang.
I was ready to kill whoever dared disturb me. But it was Claira.
I answered with silence.
"Adrain… I… I'm ready for the DNA test."
"Tomorrow. 4 p.m." My voice was clipped, cold. I hung up before she could say another word.
How did she agree so fast? Eira. Of course it was her. She must have convinced Claira.
Eira. That girl—damn her! Why does she always interfere, and why do I… why do I care so much that she does?
I growled, no longer wanting to think. I picked up my phone and dialed his number.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"It's a shame you're sleeping so peacefully while someone's getting ready to destroy your marriage," I said, my voice venom, each word dripping with mockery.
"What are you talking about?"
"Claira. Does that name sound familiar? She's getting a DNA test tomorrow… to prove she carries your child."
"What?! How do you know that? Who the hell are you?"
"Your well-wisher," I replied coldly. "Adrain Blake thought you deserved the news."
"What game are you playing?"
"You're so dumb. How could you leave your weakness so exposed?"
"Why would you help me? What do you want in return?"
"Do I look like a beggar to you? Do you think you could ever give me anything I want?" My teeth ground together, fury in every syllable.
"Then why?"
"Because your father is my business partner. And business is my life. I won't let it suffer because of one useless girl."
"Oh… unexpected. I was beginning to think you had a thing for that useless girl… what was her name… Eira?"
My blood froze. His filthy tongue had dared to say her name.
"I saw her in a club once. Average, but that night… God, she was something. Beautiful. Sexy. She looked like she could be—"
CRASH!
The bottle in my hand shattered into shards, blood spilling everywhere. I hadn't even realized my grip tightened until the glass split apart in my palm, slicing deep into my skin.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
"Nothing." My voice was calm, too calm. My rage burned silently, deadly. "Just a wild dog who needs to learn his place."
He laughed. "So… friends now?"
"Yes." I smiled darkly. "Friends. Don't worry… I'll never leave my dear friend alone."
Never. Not until I end you