chapter 4

Christian was ready to leave, but Adeline clung to him once more, eyes glistening with tears, lips quivering.

"Christian, do you really have to go?" she pleaded, arms wrapping around his waist like a child begging for attention.

But something in Christian's chest twisted.

A strange unease rose up, making it impossible for him to stay another second.

He'd thought he still loved Adeline. That maybe, after everything, the spark was still there.

But these past two days—being around her—there was no warmth, no thrill.

Nothing like what he remembered.

Instead, his mind kept drifting to Maia Carpenter—his wife.

Her laughter. Her frowns. Her pouts.

All of her.

For the first time, Christian realized he had truly fallen for his wife.

As for Adeline, maybe what they once had wasn't as deep as he imagined.

The tenderness in his eyes vanished.

He gently pulled Adeline's arms from around him, his voice cool and distant.

"I promised Maia I'd be home with her today."

Adeline froze.

Then she stared at him, as if she didn't quite hear what he said. "Christian? What is that supposed to mean?"

He tugged at his collar, visibly irritated.

"Quit the drama. I already missed Mia's prenatal checkup this morning. I need to go."

Adeline stared at him for a long beat.

Then, a mocking smile spread across her lips.

"Mia? Funny how sweet that name sounds now. But yesterday, when you stepped on her ankle like she was garbage—did you recognize her then?"

Christian stiffened.

His gaze snapped to her.

Each word was slow, like ice cracking under pressure. "What did you just say? Who did I step on yesterday?"

Still caught in her game, Adeline misread the danger entirely.

She stood up, graceful and smug, thinking her provocation had finally worked.

Her goal was simple: wake Christian up.

Remind him that Maia was just a stand-in. A cheap substitute. Nothing more.

So what if she got hurt?

What's wrong with her ruining Maia?

She was the one who came back for him. She was the real deal.

And in her eyes, Christian's world should only hold her.

No one else.

There was no room for a substitute. That would cheapen what they had.

Seven months?

Please. She couldn't even wait seven days.

It was just a baby. She could give him one, too.

Her body leaned close, swaying seductively as her hands curled around Christian's neck.

"Come on, Christian. Just one more night—mmmph! Cough—!"

She hadn't expected this.

Adeline had gotten it all wrong. Terribly wrong.

Before she could finish, Christian's hand shot up, clamping around her neck with terrifying force.

He lifted her off the ground with one arm like she weighed nothing.

Adeline couldn't breathe, kicking wildly, slapping at his arm in a frenzy as her lungs screamed for air.

Her heels left the floor. She dangled like a dying fish, thrashing for life.

But Christian didn't flinch.

His pupils were narrowing, darkening, all reason gone. The fury inside him growing, blinding.

He looked nothing like the man she once knew—more like something out of a nightmare.

Adeline was finally scared.

"I-I was wrong."

The words were choked out between shallow, trembling breaths.

Christian suddenly thought of something; he let go, tossing her aside like a ragdoll.

He stood above her, chest heaving, rage still burning in his eyes.

"If you ever show your face to Mia again, I won't be so kind next time."

Without another word, he stormed out the door.

His phone was already in his hand, dialing Maia.

No answer. Her phone was off.

He tried to call George. Off.

He then tried dialing Julia's number. Still off.

Panic gripped him. Christian floored the gas, his car flying down the highway like a bullet.

His eyes were red, blazing, like fire eating away at his sanity.

He felt like he was losing his mind.

It still wasn't fast enough. No speed was fast enough.

Dread swallowed him whole.

He had to see Maia. Now.

If he could just see Maia, just hear her voice—he would beg and apologize for everything.

As for Adeline?

If Mia wouldn't forgive him, then he would make Adeline pay for everything she did.