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Is this where Adrian lives?
I wasn’t exactly focused on the road on the way here, but we drove far enough to be somewhere on the outskirts of the city.
I let my gaze slide ahead, thinking that I should engrave the details in my brain in case I need to use them later. But for what and to go where? The moment that black gate closes, I feel as if I’m trapped in a labyrinth. The fact that Bulky Blond keeps driving on and on down the driveway might have something to do with it, but that’s not the only reason I feel like I’ve stepped into a place I shouldn’t have.
The only thing I can make out are shadows of trees that look like ghosts at the threshold of a rich prince’s gate, waiting to take his life for his cruelty. Wasn’t there a story like that once upon a time? A prince who refused to feed the poor was cursed by a witch to become a beast.
The car finally stops in front of a gigantic mansion.
No. It’s more like a castle from medieval times, but built in modern times.
The moon is the only light projecting down on it, and it’s barely enough since it’s partially hidden behind the clouds.
An eerie shadow falls on the dark building with its two-story architecture and its imposing size that sits on a large piece of land.
When people see a grandiose building, they either react with awe or intimidation, or both. Me, on the other hand?
I feel like fleeing.
Like I should sprint toward the black gate and climb it to escape.
Adrian and his guards get out of the car first. I’m not in a hurry. I can even spend the night here. It’s warm and the leather seats are more comfortable than anything I’ve slept on.
Adrian, however, has other plans. He opens the door and extends his palm to me. I’m tempted to refuse it, but that would only start an unwanted battle. I’m so exhausted from this day’s events, and all I want to do is crawl into a corner and sleep.
So I take his hand with a resounding sigh. He pulls me out and places a palm at the small of my back. The gesture of possessiveness, of staking his claim, doesn’t escape me, but I don’t dwell on it much either, because he’s not doing it to me.
He’s doing it to his wife.
As long as I don’t consider myself his wife and can separate reality from the role I’m playing, everything will be fine.
And most importantly, I’ll survive.
I allow him to lead me to a double metal door with a passcode bar on top. He runs his fingertip over the sensor and the door opens with a beep.
He gently pushes me ahead of him and I nearly stumble from the atrocious heels hurting my feet. Adrian wraps an arm around my waist, keeping me steady. As soon as I make sure I can stand, I attempt to wiggle away.
His presence still gives me a weird feeling. The creeps mixed with fear and…something else I’d rather not identify.
“Stop trying to push away from me, Lia.”
“I’m not Lia,” I whisper.
“Yes, you are, and you’ll start acting like it.”
“I can’t just act like another woman.”
He pauses, his finger tapping once against his thigh. “Did you just talk back to me?”
“No.” My voice is small. I really don’t want to induce his wrath right now. Or ever, for that matter.
He doesn’t seem convinced, but he says ever so calmly, “Your presence here is for one reason only—to be Lia. You’ll learn to act like it. In fact, you’llbeher.”
Yeah, right.
But I don’t voice that thought, because judging by his brief show of anger just now, that would only get me in trouble.
I expect Bulky Blond and Crooked Nose to follow us, but they don’t. The door closes behind us with a click and an automatic light comes on overhead in a vast reception area with pure white walls, dark wood flooring, and a round chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
