Page 4 of The Billionaire's Destiny

“No, leave it. You rest, please. I just wanted to let you know I’m here.” My voice cracked.

He tugged the mask away, and said. “I’m fine…please…don’t worry.”

“Rocco…” My voice caught in my throat.

His right hand moved to cover mine, and his warmth charged our connection, something I was grateful to have, and sorely missed.

I leaned over and kissed his forehead, just as the door opened again. The time was too short. I gave him another quick kiss, then slowly left the room as Olivia came inside.

After leaving Rocco’s room, I paused outside to collect my thoughts. It was difficult seeing him hurt and being unable to comfort him. Questions ran through my mind: why was he snowmobiling during a snowstorm? And what happened with his meeting with George about investing in the studio?Oh, Rocco. I’m relieved you’re okay, but I hate you took such a risk.

“Adelina,” Paul called to me, his expression grim.

My pulse sped up. “Did something else happen?”

“Yes, but I’d like to tell you and Olivia together. There was an incident online.”

Olivia came out of Rocco’s room, her eyes puffy. She walked over to us. “Are you going home, Adelina?”

I shook my head. “I want to stay here, but Paul wants to tell us about something that happened online.”

Her gaze shifted between us. “What is it now?”

Paul let out a heavy sigh, his gaze on me. “There’s a video of you on the street with your father that has gone viral.”

My jaw tightened as I held my bag, replaying that scene with Judge Colby in my mind. I’d only just left the bookstore near our place in Tribeca when he ambushed me outside on the street. I remembered there was a woman at the table, her phone pointed at us. We walked to the end of the block to avoid her, but if the video went viral, she must have recorded something. “Do you have a copy I can watch?”

“Do you think that’s necessary, Adelina?” Olivia interrupted. “It’ll only upset you, dear. We need to get ahead of the narrative. I want to prepare a statement—”

“Ineed to see it,” I insisted, my voice edged with irritation. I was done letting others decide everything for me.It’s my choice.

Paul took out his iPhone. “I’ll show you both what Isla sent over.”

My brows rose. “Isla? She didn’t call me.”

“She’s on a plane headed here and asked me to share it,” he explained, pressing play.

Everything else faded as I watched the screen. There I was, standing on the street, my lips twisted in a scowl, but my eyes were wide with surprise. Tears streamed down my face.I cried in front of him?Self-loathing washed over me, but I couldn’t look away. The video showed everything I thought I’d hidden: my pain, my anger, my fear.

“Stay back,” I shrieked and stumbled.

What happened next made me want to shatter everything in reach. Judge Colby’s face filled the frame, a smug, defiant smirk twisting his lips, his eyes alight with cruel amusement. He basked in my fear and brushed off my disgust.

“See? I have nothing. I only want to talk to you for a few minutes.”He set down his briefcase and lifted his hands, palms out in mock innocence.

Bile burned in my throat as I forced down my revulsion at him, at myself. Why had I let him speak to me?

I couldn’t put my finger on what felt weird, but something about the video felt off. Did it really happen like that? Why does it feel out of sequence with my memory? Had someone else been filming us? I hadn’t been nearly careful enough. Who had captured his face so…perfectly?

“Oh, my God. That’s awful.” Olivia’s voice rose.

“I should’ve known better,” I murmured, hunching my shoulders.

“It’s not your fault, Adelina,” Paul said. “But the press is outside. Zane’s working with the police to clear the area, and we won’t leave until he returns. I’m sorry, Adelina. That means it’s best for you not to stay here.”

“Rocco would want you to rest,” Oliva said, and cleared her throat. “We can both return in the morning… We’ll need more security.”

Paul nodded in agreement. “I’ll make sure you have it.”