Chapter 38 - Adrian

I stood in the living room, my mind racing, replaying every moment of my uncle's visit. The way he spoke, the way he looked at me—it was all too familiar. I could feel the weight of his presence still lingering in the air, suffocating the space between Sera and me. She had tried to reassure me, to convince me that things would be different this time. But deep down, I knew better.

I think there's more to this.

I had spent too many years under his control, too many years trying to break free from his grip, to believe that this visit was just a casual one. My uncle always had a hidden agenda, a reason for everything he did. And now, I could feel that same sinister energy in the room.

Sera looked at me, her eyes filled with concern, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. I wanted to believe her, wanted to believe that everything was going to be fine, but I knew in my gut that it wasn't over yet.

"There's something he's not telling me," I muttered, more to myself than to her. "He's here for a reason, Sera. I can feel it."

She stepped closer, her hand resting gently on my arm. "Adrian, whatever it is, we'll face it together. You're not alone in this anymore."

But despite her comforting words, the nagging voice in my head wouldn't quiet. Something was coming. And I couldn't protect her, protect us, if I didn't figure out what it was.

The tension in the office was palpable, thickening with every minute that passed. My uncle's unexpected return stirred up something deep inside me. The memories of that day, seven years ago, when he forced me to make a decision I'll never forget, came flooding back. That moment still haunted me, the weight of his cruel words echoing in my mind. And now, here he was again—looming over my life, threatening to undo everything I've built, everything I've fought for.

I walked through the hallway of the office, the sound of my shoes clicking against the marble floor somehow louder than usual. My mind raced. He had always been a force to be reckoned with—calculating, manipulative, and always a step ahead. But this time, it was different. This time, I wasn't that naive young man he could easily bend to his will.

I reached my office door, and before I even opened it, I could feel his presence. I could already imagine the cold, measured look on his face as he waited for me to walk in.

I opened the door, and there he was—standing by the window, looking down at the city below. He didn't even turn around when I entered, but I could feel his gaze on me, the silent judgment in his eyes.

"You've done well for yourself, Adrian," he said finally, his voice low and filled with disdain. "I didn't think you had it in you to get this far. But then again, you've always had a knack for doing the bare minimum and getting the results, haven't you?"

I clenched my fists, resisting the urge to punch the smug smile off his face. "What do you want, Uncle?" My voice was steady, but my insides were coiled tight with frustration.

His smile faded, and he finally turned to face me. "I think you know exactly what I want. It's time you remembered your place." He stepped closer, his presence pressing in like a shadow. "You're still my heir, Adrian. And I will remind you of that, whether you like it or not. You've spent too much time on this... sentimental nonsense." He gestured vaguely, as if dismissing everything I'd worked for, everything that truly mattered to me.

I took a deep breath, forcing my jaw to unclench. "I've made my choices, and I'm not going to let you control me anymore. Or my life."

His expression darkened, and for a moment, I saw that familiar flicker of anger. But he quickly masked it with a cold, detached look. "You think you can defy me, don't you? You're not as strong as you think, Adrian. People like you and me—we don't get to have happy endings. Not with your wife," he added, his voice dripping with venom.

I froze for a moment, my heart racing. He was right, I had married Seraphina, but I wasn't about to let him use her as a pawn. Not again.

"My wife is none of your concern," I said through gritted teeth. "And you'll stay the hell away from her."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Is that so? You think you can protect her from everything? From me?"

"I don't need to protect her from you," I said, my voice growing firm. "I'll handle things my way now, Uncle. And if you think for a second that you can still control me, you're wrong."

For a long moment, he just stared at me, sizing me up. I could feel the weight of his gaze, assessing, calculating. But this time, it wasn't the same. I wasn't the same person I had been back then.

Finally, he spoke, his voice laced with finality. "We'll see about that, Adrian." He turned and walked toward the door, pausing for just a moment before he left. "But don't forget, you owe me everything. And one day, you'll have to return the favor."

I wasn't going to let him ruin this. I wouldn't let him take away the life I had built, the life we had built together.

I walked over to my desk, my mind racing with plans, with everything I had to do to ensure Seraphina and I stayed safe from the storm he was about to bring. But one thing was clear: he would regret underestimating me.

And anyone who thought they could hurt Seraphina would soon realize that Adrian Castellanos was no longer the man they could control.

I had everything I needed to win this battle—my family, my strength, and the love of my life by my side.

"Adrian, you shouldn't trust her. She's not who you think she is."

I stood frozen, my uncle's words echoing in my mind. His voice was calm but sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "You think I'd believe a word you say? Not after everything you've done."

He leaned forward, his face serious, a glint of triumph in his eyes. "What if I told you she killed my son? Your cousin."

The words hit me like a bullet. I staggered back slightly, trying to process what he just said. My cousin. More than a brother to me. His death five years ago had shattered me. The loss was still a wound that hadn't healed, and now this?

I glared at him, rage boiling in my chest. "You're lying. You'll say anything to manipulate me."

He didn't flinch. Instead, he calmly reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a tablet. "You think I'd come without proof?"

He pressed play, and a video began to play on the screen.

It showed a dimly lit room, my cousin standing with his back turned. The next moment, the sound of a gunshot filled the room. A figure stood in the shadows, holding the gun. The face wasn't visible, but the posture, the frame—it was eerily familiar. My breath caught in my throat.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "This... this isn't real. It can't be."

"It's her," he said coldly. "Look closely, Adrian. You know it's her."

My mind screamed in denial, but the doubt had already begun to creep in. It was Seraphina—or at least it looked like her. The way the figure moved, the slight tilt of the head—it all matched.

"How could you hide this from me?" I muttered under my breath, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and betrayal.

"See for yourself, Adrian. That's the woman you trust. The woman you've let into your life, your home."

My hands clenched into fists as I stared at the frozen image on the screen. My mind warred between reason and emotion. Sera couldn't have done this. She wouldn't.

But what if she did?

The thought alone was enough to tear at my chest, leaving me gasping for air. My uncle stood silently, watching as my trust in her began to waver. And for the first time in years, I felt completely lost.

I stared at the frozen frame on the screen, my heart pounding like a war drum. My uncle's words echoed in my head, each syllable like a sharp dagger.

"She has an ulterior motive this time too, Adrian," he said, his voice calm yet insidious. "What if she betrays you again? What if everything she's done is just a way to destroy you from the inside out?"

My fists clenched at his words, but my chest burned with an undeniable ache. I couldn't believe him. I wouldn't. But the video—her figure, the undeniable familiarity—it was like a nightmare come to life.

"You're lying," I growled, my voice shaking. "Sera isn't capable of this. She's changed—she's not who you think she is."

Uncle leaned forward, his smirk widening. "Oh, hasn't she? Do you really believe that, Adrian? You're blinded by your feelings for her, just like before. Look where that got you seven years ago. Don't be a fool again."

I slammed my fist on the table, making the frame rattle. "Enough! You don't know anything about her or me."

But deep down, his words ignited a flicker of doubt. A cruel whisper in my mind asked the question I never wanted to face: What if he's right?

"You loved your cousin like a brother," he continued, his tone shifting to faux sympathy. "He was family. And she killed him. Tell me, Adrian—how does that make you feel? How can you trust her now?"

My head snapped up, rage flashing in my eyes. "Don't you dare talk about him like you care. You used him as a pawn, just like everyone else."

Uncle raised his hands mockingly. "Maybe. But the video doesn't lie. And neither does her betrayal. You'll see. You'll regret trusting her again—mark my words."

I stood frozen in the room, the weight of the video and Uncle's words pressing down on my chest like a boulder. My eyes were glued to the screen where the blurred yet hauntingly familiar figure pulled the trigger. Her stance, her silhouette—it all pointed to one person. Seraphina.

My Seraphina.

"What have you done, Sera?" I whispered under my breath, my voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and despair.

Uncle's words replayed in my mind, taunting me. She has an ulterior motive. She betrayed you before. What if she does it again?

No. I refused to believe it.

But the video.

I ran a hand through my hair, pacing back and forth, my mind spiraling. It didn't make sense. Seraphina couldn't have done this. She wouldn't. She promised me she was done with this life, with the darkness. And I believed her—no, I still believe her. Don't I?

But that figure in the video.

My chest tightened, my breaths coming short and quick. Things had finally started to feel right. After years of betrayal, pain, and distance, we'd found each other again. We were building something real, something I never thought I could have. And now, this.

This felt like the universe's cruel joke.

"Adrian," Uncle's voice broke through my thoughts, smooth and calculated. "You can't ignore this. The evidence is right in front of you. She's not who you think she is."

I turned to him, rage flickering behind my eyes. "Get out."

He smirked, unfazed. "Think it over, nephew. The truth has a funny way of surfacing, no matter how hard you try to bury it."

He started walking away, but not before knocking over a photo frame on the console table. The glass shattered, just like my sense of peace. He glanced at the broken frame and smirked before leaving without another word.

I stood there, staring at the broken shards on the floor. The picture inside was one of Seraphina and me, taken not long after we had reconciled. We looked happy, content. I bent down to pick it up, running my fingers over her smiling face.

What have you done, Sera?

I didn't want this to be true. God, I didn't. I wanted to believe that there was some mistake, some explanation that would make all of this go away.

But what if there wasn't? What if Uncle was right? What if she had been hiding this from me all along?

My head dropped into my hands, the weight of doubt and betrayal suffocating me. "What do I do now?" I whispered to the empty room, my voice barely audible.

I couldn't confront her. Not yet. Not until I knew the truth. But how was I supposed to look her in the eye, to share the same space, knowing what I had seen?

I straightened up, placing the broken frame on the table. My jaw clenched as I made a decision. I needed answers, and I needed them now. But I couldn't let her know.

Not until I was certain. Not until I was ready to face whatever truth lay ahead.

Sera, I hope this isn't true....