She still refused to confess.

Adrians urge to lash out reached its peak, yet he knew it wasnt the right moment. In two days, hed have the truth in hand.

He withdrew his gaze, suppressing his anger with practiced poise, and continued eating with an air of detached grace.

His tone was smooth, almost languid as he said, Grandfather hasnt been in the best shape lately. Lets put off the divorce for now.

Rose had spent the entire day at the Reid family estate, keeping the old man company. She knew better than anyone how fragile his health had become. But even so, she was determinedthis marriage had to end, and quickly.

She looked at Adrian, her voice tinged with pleading. Cant we handle the divorce quietly, without telling him? Its for his sake too.

Adrian met her gaze.

You dont have someone else waiting for you, do you? Whats the rush? Or has being my wife been such a burden? His words were calm, but his eyes glimmered with challenge.

He wanted to see how long she could keep up the charade. Shed better pray those two children werent hers. If they were, not even God could save her.

Rose faltered, caught off-balance by his probing. For a moment, she was silent.

If she insisted on a quick divorce, would Adrian dig deeper? What if? But then her thoughts hit a different sore spot: how could she stand to keep sharing the same bed with him, knowing what he had with Yvonne?

Lowering her head, she ate quietly, her appetite diminished. When she finished, she stood and headed toward the door, intending to leave.

Adrians voice stopped her. Its late. Where are you going?

Rose froze just at the threshold, her tone chilly as she replied, Im moving out. Well end up separated anyway, and Ive already taken my belongings. Ill stay somewhere else.

She needed to return to the home where her children waited. Divorce or not, she could no longer live under the same roof as this man.

Adrian, however, knew precisely where she was headedback to that "other" house. Calvin had assured him there were no signs of another man living there, but the father of her children was still a mystery. The not-knowing grated at him, and her silence was salt in the wound.

Youre still the mistress of this house, he said, his voice firm. Until were officially divorced, and without my permission, youre not going anywhere.

Rose turned back, frustration bleeding into her expression. Do you honestly believe we can keep living under one roof like this?

Yvonne already held his heart; once Rose was gone, wouldnt he just bring Yvonne here anyway? Why not let her go now? What was the point of dragging this out?

Adrian regarded her impassively. Why not? Weve managed for a year.

His gaze stayed fixed on her, prying beneath her words, probing for cracks in her armor.

All he needed was for Rose to come cleanfor her to finally unravel the secrets she had so carefully woven. If she explained everythingplainly, entirelyhe might even forgive her. But she wouldnt. Instead, she left him to twist in the web of her half-truths.

For now, he kept his temper in check. He could wait. But when the time came, when the full truth emerged, shed have no room to maneuver.

Roses lips parted, and against her better judgment, she leaned on an old excuse. Thats because, until now, I didnt realize you were still involved with Yvonne.

Better to distract him. Better to deflect.

You love her. You should be with her. Cant you see Im trying to make it easy for you? Im giving you what you want.

Do you think I need your permission?

Adrian stood abruptly and closed the distance between them, his height dwarfing her slight frame. His voice lowered, each word precise and cutting. Rose, whoever I take as my partner is no ones concern but mine. Least of all yours. So why are you so desperate to leave, huh? What are you hiding?

His meaning was clear: no onenot Grandfather, not Rosewould dictate his choices. And if his relentless questions seemed cruel, he only hoped theyd force her to confront the gravity of her lies. But she stayed silent.

Rose trembled, tension creasing her slender shoulders. She wouldnt tell, no matter what. Not about her children, stowed safely in another world far from this house.

Deep down, she knew tonight would be a stalemate. If she tried to leave now, Adrian would start digging. Those children, her secretshed rip them all out.

Left with no choice, she relented.

Everythings my fault? she muttered, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Youre the one with the problem, but somehow its always me.

Without waiting for his response, she turned on her heel and ascended the stairs.

Adrian stood there, watching the frail outline of her retreating figure. Something twisted and gnawed at him from the inside. He couldnt piece it together. Had Rose planned all this, even before theyd wed? Was she simply biding her time, waiting for Grandfather to pass so she could leave him and disappear with her children?

If that was her strategy, she grossly underestimated him.

From the very moment theyd signed those marriage papers, Adrian had no intention of granting a divorce. Hers might be a tangled, elusive story, but for now, he could trust just one thing: those children couldnt be hers. He was certain of it.

Adrian chose to let it go, for now. He headed upstairs, his footsteps heavy with something unspoken. His work waited in the study.

By the time he entered the master bedroom at ten that night, it was empty. Not a shadow of her remained.

He searched the guest room nextthe door was bolted from the inside. So, this was how it would be. She didnt want to share a bed anymore.

The frustration mounting in his chest threatened to spill over, but he restrained himself. Without a word, he returned to his room and closed the door.

Morning came. By the time Rose descended the staircase, dressed and ready, Adrian was already downstairs waiting.

He looked as composed as ever, seated at the dining table in crisp attire, every detail of his appearance methodical yet effortless. She had planned to come down and slip away unnoticed. His voice shattered that hope.

Come eat breakfast, he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Afterward, tell me where you work. Ill drive you.

Rose froze momentarily before brushing him off. Thats not necessary. Ill drive myself.

She turned toward the door, determined to leave without sitting down. But shed barely taken three steps before his cold voice sliced through the air.

Rose, he said. Dont push me. You wont like the outcome.

And just like that, the remnants of her defiance caved.

Reluctantly, she pivoted and made her way to the dining table. Seated across from him, she kept her head low, not daring to meet his gaze, while silently picking at her food.

But Adrian was studying her, his eyes lingering on the delicate features framed by her dark hair. She looked impossibly youngher petite frame, her fresh-faced beauty. In some ways, it was as though she had walked out of a college classroom and into his life, not the life of a woman with supposed secrets.

Hed noticed before, in their most intimate moments: her body bore no physical signs of childbirth.

So those children couldnt possibly be hers, could they? They couldnt. He held fast to that belief, his voice softening almost unconsciously.

What is it exactly that you do for work?

He couldnt deny it. He had ignored Rose far too long. If repairing the rift between them drove away her desperation to leave, then so be it. From now on, hed try. Hed pay attention.

Rose nibbled on her food, her mind racing for an answer that would keep him at bay. After a pause, she mumbled a vague reply. Sales. At a department store.

It was a lie, of course. She had no job outside the quiet work she did for a magazine now and then. She hadnt stayed in school long enough to finish her degree, let alone pursue a traditional career.

Adrians brow arched. Which store?

She scrambled. Quick. Name a place near her children. Her voice was steadier now as she named a department store close to the Starhaven Bay Residences.

Adrian, for his part, didnt press her further. After breakfast, he insisted on driving her himself.

While they were on the road, leisurely making their way toward the direction she had indicated, Adrians phone rang. He answered via his Bluetooth headset.

Calvins voice came through the line, steady but laced with a weight that felt foreboding.