Chasing His Substitute Wife

know where she is but you aren't telling me. For what? To keep me by you

, completely unaffected by my outburst, like

this," he said, his t

patronize me, Adrian. I'm not overthinking anything. You

his head slightly. "You seem

ce! You think I'm just going to stay here while you dang

s lap. "You'll stay because you want answers. You'll stay

or a moment, I couldn't speak. His confi

ling with rage. "You act like everyone in your orbit

said coolly, his ga

ike I'm some exception. You've done nothing

e didn't. He just kept watching

him my virginity. Made me laugh and tell me I am the only one he want

e I did no

l play your game. I'll stay. But if I find

rupted, his voice cutting t

he sentence. He was baiting me,

urned to see his assistant standi

flinks like nothing had happene

"Of cours

y. I expect you to report h

*

s I aggressively sliced the cabbage,

gently, sprinkling salt into

ection. "Don't start with me, Orion. Adrian St

azed. "Sounds like

cabbage into a bowl. "He's still the same co

crossed his arms. His dark eyes sparkled with am

e! He's holding my grandmother over my head like some

eyebrow. "You co

him win?

ing back to the soup. "Still sounds

said quickly

look over his shoulder

'm sure. Don't make this

l grin tugging at his lips. "I'm just saying, love, i

aid, smacking him lightly

, pulling me closer.

ed, but my voice wavered slightly

k, and I couldn't help but giggle, squi

st my skin. "I'm jealous, you know. Watching you spend

lly. "Jealous of what? A cold, manipulative ma

r history with him. That kind

t history. Fossilized,

your ring?" he asked, his ton

guard, and I looked down at

it on this morning," I said

forcing me to look at him. "Di

at the edges of my heart. "Ori

his voice betraying no ange

,'" I said quick

forehead. "You can lie to yourself al

im, but the words wouldn't come. Because

ion

rt finds it hard to let go of the first lo

Not wanting to

orrow," I muttered,

by a shadow of stubble. He always looked effortlessly put together, even in a simple t-shirt and joggers. His hands

d calm, like he always knew exactly how to diffuse the s

my forehead against his chest. His shirt smel

running gently up and down my back. "I know how he c

I mumbled, drawing a

layful. "You need an escape plan for when he gets under your skin. Come

. "Are you trying

e said with a w

tly, shaking my head.

laugh," he teased, his li

re? It seemed like another lifetime when I'd first met Orio

-

h ba

ears

and my secondhand blazer didn't quite fit. I'd spent the morning sitting on an unforg

-my child-and I was here to fight for custody. I didn't have much-a part-time job at a diner and

he lawyer on the other side cutting me down at ever

wall, his arms crossed. His dark eyes met mine, and he ga

the tiniest spark of confidence. I straightened my shoulders and t

oom, my heart heavy with defeat. I hadn't lost yet

ce called ou

he courtroom-walking toward me. He had a kind

sked, falling int

t to make of his sudden appe

hand. His grip was firm but warm, and

d hesitantly. "D

is system works, and I hate seeing good

creeping in. "Why w

stories like these sometimes. But today? I was there for a frien

ted, my voice ting

ve to do this alone. If you need advice or even just someone

ary. He didn't seem to have any ulterior motives, b

ou care?" I

eper in his eyes-a shadow of pain. "Let's just say I've been i

-

nt as Orion gently squeezed

o hard again," he s

mbering,"

hings,

and resting on his che

quite reach his eyes. "Then do

mised, though the

r a moment before he pulled back. "Come find me

s, "Maybe you can ma

"You are one

head back a

e couldn't shake the question: Why did I

t Adrian to kno