He Deceived Me So I Destroyed His Family’s Legacy Chapter 02
Julian exploded.
“No.”
“That’s a Blackwood child.”
“I already picked out a name.”
“Nora, you don’t just get to say you don’t want it.”
Adrian sighed and motioned for him and Vanessa to leave.
After the door closed, the room fell silent.
Adrian walked over to me and reached out to adjust the cashmere shawl that had slipped from my shoulders.
His touch was gentle, just as it had always been.
The year we were married, I caught a chill one night and came down with a high fever.
He had sat by my bed just like this, tucking me in, calling my name over and over.
“Nora.”
I’d been half-delirious, but I still remembered the warmth of his hand.
I thought that was forever.
He used that same voice to call my name now.
“Nora, Vanessa is delicate.”
“She can’t handle the risks of pregnancy and childbirth.”
“You’re different.”
“You’re healthy. You’ve always been stronger than her.”
He lifted a hand and wiped a tear from the corner of my eye.
“You’ll have the baby. The lawyers will handle the adoption, and it will legally become Vanessa’s child.”
“With a child, her position in the family will be secure.”
“You’ll still be my legal wife.”
My stomach turned.
“And I’m supposed to be overwhelmed with gratitude?”
Adrian was silent for a moment.
Then he laid his hand over my lower abdomen.
“After Vanessa and I have our public ceremony, I’ll give you a child.”
“A real child. Ours.”
“When that time comes, I’ll make up for everything you’ve suffered today.”
I recoiled.
“Adrian Blackwood.”
“What do you take me for?”
“First I give her a child.”
“Then I wait for you, in your infinite generosity, to give me one?”
His hand remained suspended in the air.
The gentle mask on his face began to crack.
“Nora.”
“I’ve already considered your dignity as much as I possibly could.”
“There was no normal way for you to keep this child.”
“Having Vanessa adopt it through the family lawyers is the safest option.”
My voice trembled.
“And if I refuse?”
Adrian looked at me quietly.
After a long moment, he let out a soft sigh, as if I were being impossible.
“Nora.”
“You’re not this childish.”
That was it. The final snap.
Something inside me broke for good.
I raised my hand and swung it hard toward my own stomach.
“And if this child doesn’t survive?”
Adrian’s expression changed in a flash.
He seized my wrist.
“Nora Hale!”
“That’s a life!”
I laughed until tears streamed down my face.
“So you do know it’s a life.”
“But a minute ago, when you were all deciding who to hand it to, did it ever occur to you that this is my child?”
His eyes darkened.
“That’s enough.”
“You’re unstable. I’m not going to argue with you.”
He let go of my wrist, then smoothed the sleeve he had wrinkled.
The gesture was still gentle.
His voice was cold enough to freeze bone.
“Be good.”
“And I’ll take you to see Lily.”
My head snapped up.
After I married Adrian, he had arranged for private medical staff to care for Lily.
But he had never allowed me to see her.
He said she was too ill, that he was afraid I would catch something.
Knowing her life was in his hands, I had no choice but to obey.
Now, finally, I could see her. Relief washed through me.
I practically stumbled as I followed him.
The side wing of the townhouse was filled with caretakers.
Prescription bottles lined the nursing station. Expensive nutritional infusions hung from an IV stand.
The tension in my shoulders began to ease.
Until the door opened.
Lily lay in bed, her eyes vacant.
Her face was gaunt, her skin stretched tight over her bones.
But beneath the blanket, her belly was swollen high.
My knees almost gave out.
“Lily?”
At the sound of my voice, her lashes trembled.
But she didn’t even have the strength to open her eyes.
I rushed to her bedside and grabbed her hand.
It was as cold as ice.
“What happened to you?”
But Lily recoiled as if I had burned her, screaming,
“Don’t touch me!”
“Please, don’t touch me anymore!”
I froze.
“Lily, it’s me.”
“It’s Nora.”
Her hollow eyes finally moved, but it was as if she couldn’t see me.
She clutched her stomach desperately, her voice shaking uncontrollably.
“I’m still pregnant.”
“This one has to be born safely.”
“This is the fifth one.”
“Please, not now… don’t touch me now…”