AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Voices drift towards me from the drawing room as I reach the bottom. Voices full of happiness and laughter.
It only makes me feel heavier.
Charlie and Evie continue on without me, not even glancing back. Drawn toward the warm, inviting energy of the family.
I hesitate in the foyer, the thought of entering alone almost unbearable.
I’ve been… abandoned.
Without him, I’m lost and adrift in waters I’ve spent my entire life swimming in.
When did I become so pathetic? So disgustingly dependent? I can’t expect Adam to always be here for me. To be my crutch. I need to stand on my own two feet and make my own path.
I can’t continue to exist like this. I’m more than his stupid princess.
Lifting my chin in the air, I square my shoulders and try to smile.
I’m going to walk into that drawing room alone and it won’t be weird at all, I tell myself.
This is where I belong, with or without Adam beside me.
The very moment I take a step forward, however, the double doors behind me open, letting in a cold gust of wind.
I twist around to see Jude strolling in with a smirk on his lips. “See, I told you we’d make it in time.”
Adam walks in behind him with a tight, annoyed expression.
The moment his gaze lands on me, though, his entire demeanor changes.
Tensing as if he’s surprised to see me, he stops just inside the doorway, his blond hair and shoulders damp from the rain.
Then his eyes lock on my eyes with a strange intensity and suddenly I’m frozen in place.
My heart begins to race and those silly butterflies take flight in my stomach.
With just a look, he’s trapped me. Caught me in his net, and I have no idea how it’s happened.
There’s just something about him… something about his mere presence that draws me in like a suicidal moth to a flame. Deep down, I know his fire is going to devour me, heart and soul, and leave nothing left but ashes.
But I’m powerless to stop it.
I don’t know how to stop it.
Jude looks between us then laughs. “I’ll see you in there.”
He gives Adam a friendly slap on the back then brushes past me with a little pep in his step.
“Where is my beautiful wife and children?” Jude calls out behind me, causing all the conversation that’s been buzzing in the background to stop for a moment.
“Daddy!” I hear his son, Abel, squeal in delight.
Adam slowly walks toward me, his eyes never leaving my eyes, and the rest of the world falls away.
As he draws closer, I instinctually tip my head back to keep the connection.
He’s grown over a foot this year alone and now stands shoulder to shoulder with most of the men.
I’ve grown too, but only tall enough to be eye level with his chest.
