Chapter 4 I Am Already Used To The Pain

Outside the car, Eleanor fell into step beside Adrian as they entered the company building together.

Her gaze flicked to his unreadable profile, and she carefully steered the conversation back to what had happened the day before. "Yesterday was on me. I acted without thinking and pushed you about the divorce. I already said sorry, so please stop being upset with me."

She had acted on impulse yesterday, insisting he end his marriage to her mute sister as if his indulgence toward her had no limits.

Adrian could give her almost anything. But the word divorce drew a hard line he refused to cross.

He had always insisted that nothing romantic existed between him and Jessica, claiming his marriage was nothing more than a duty carried out to fulfill his grandfather's final wish.

But Keith had been gone for years now. Eleanor believed that surely the old man could be at peace by this point.

Besides, she was also a member of the Howard family. Why was it unacceptable for her to stand in Jessica's place as Adrian's wife?

The answer was simple. Adrian just didn't want that.

People around them all said Adrian loved her deeply. Even after she became a widow with a child, he welcomed her back without hesitation and treated her with care reserved only for her.

Still, Eleanor could never fully feel his affection toward her. It felt veiled, blurred behind something she could not name, and the uncertainty left her uneasy, no matter how often she tried to ignore it.

When they reached the elevator, Adrian came to a halt.

He loosened her grip from his arm, fingers gentle but decisive, and met her eyes. "Eleanor, what I promised you will never change. I do not care how many marriages you have had or how many children you are raising; I will take care of you for the rest of your life."

Warmth began to rise in Eleanor's chest, and she was ready to lean into the moment when the temperature in Adrian's voice suddenly dropped as he continued, "In the same way, what I promised Jessica also stands. If she is willing, she will remain my wife for life."

Jessica had been the granddaughter-in-law Keith had personally chosen back then.

But the debt he owed Eleanor from his younger years had rendered Adrian unable to make a decision about whom to marry.

Luckily, three years ago, everything finally settled into its proper place, and Jessica became his wife.

At the same time, he intended to keep the promise he had made in his youth and look after Eleanor for as long as he lived.

The moment his words sank in, anger rushed through Eleanor's chest.

If the title of wife belonged to Jessica, then what role was left for her in his life?

Was she meant to have no status, forever a mistress to him?

Eleanor's hands curled into tight fists as she forced tears into her eyes. With a wounded tone, she said, "Adrian, I understand how trapped you are. But we were the ones who loved each other back then. If my parents had not been so greedy as to marry me off to another guy, none of this would have happened-"

Unwilling to let her continue, Adrian interjected softly, "The past does not need to be revisited. From now on, I will make sure to treat you well. Is there something you want these days?"

Catching the trace of irritation hidden beneath his composed expression, Eleanor immediately adjusted her strategy. "There was a necklace at the last auction that caught my eye."

Adrian curved his lips slightly, his expression calm. "I will get it for you."

Content with the answer, Eleanor trailed after Adrian as they entered the elevator together.

Meanwhile, Jessica did not return home.

She instructed the driver to stop at a quiet street corner, then stepped out of the car.

Walking a short distance by herself, she entered a small pet shop tucked along the road.

This place employed her as an animal communicator.

No one knew about her job here, not even Adrian.

Once inside, she greeted her coworkers before heading to the changing room to slip into her uniform and fasten her mask in place.

Just then, a slim figure appeared at the doorway, letting out a playful whistle in her direction. "Jessica, you are here!"

Jessica turned and recognized Lexi Hewitt at once.

Lexi was the owner of the pet store.

She was striking, her hair always pulled into a high ponytail, large hoop earrings framing her face and drawing attention to her sharp, delicate features in a way that felt bold.

At first, Lexi had not known any sign language at all, but she learned it within three months so she could communicate with Jessica.

Jessica felt genuine gratitude toward her and had long since come to see her as a close friend.

She smiled and signed, "Good afternoon, Lexi."

Holding a paper bag, Lexi walked over and slipped an arm around Jessica's shoulders in an easy, familiar way. "You still haven't eaten anything, right?" She lifted the bag slightly. "Look what I brought for you. Croissants and..."

She stopped talking when her eyes caught the marks along Jessica's neck and collarbone.

Marks like that, lingering on such sensitive skin, made the situation obvious without needing further explanation.

Lexi's face darkened, anger flashing through her eyes as she snapped, "Did that jerk do this to you?"

Jessica paused for a moment, fingertips brushing her own neck before she signed, "It is nothing. They will be gone in a few days."

Concern tugged at Lexi's chest as she pulled Jessica into an embrace and asked softly, "Does it hurt?"

Jessica shook her head, her hands moving with practiced calm. "I am already used to the pain."

Lexi blinked. How much pain and suffering must Jessica have endured to reach the point where she was used to all this?

The ache in Lexi's chest deepened. She guided Jessica to a chair and carefully helped her remove her mask. "Let's not talk about that. We should go have lunch now."

Evening settled in, and six o'clock marked the end of the workday.

Just then, Lexi suddenly received an urgent call.

She swept her gaze across the shop. Most of the staff had already left, leaving only Jessica behind.

She tipped her chin toward Jessica, who was just about to change her clothes. "No need to change. I need you to accompany me for a task."

Confusion flickered across Jessica's face as she signed, "Where are we going?"

Digging through her bag for the car keys, Lexi answered, "A sheepdog swallowed something it shouldn't have. The owner wants us to bring it in for an emergency stomach pump."

The moment she heard that, Jessica moved quickly, helping Lexi secure a large cage in the back of her car.

Lexi might have a sharp mouth, but animals had always been her weakness. Since she had heard the sheepdog was in trouble, her foot pressed hard on the accelerator. She was clearly worried about it.

The car pulled over briefly at a fast-food place. Lexi grabbed burgers for both of them and counted it as dinner.

By the time Jessica finished eating, the car was already slowing to a stop at their destination.

The place before them was a high-end club called "Glamour," set in the heart of the city, its sprawling grounds and opulence impossible to miss.

Jessica lifted her head, and her expression shifted at once.

This place belonged to Adrian.

Lexi parked the car, hauled the cage from it, and started toward the entrance with Jessica beside her.

Just before they could go in, Jessica halted and signed, "Lexi, I will wait outside for you."

At this hour, Adrian could very well be inside.

Jessica wanted to stay outside, unwilling to risk crossing paths with him.

Lexi assumed Jessica simply disliked the club's vibe and did not press the matter. "Do not wander off. Stay right here and wait for me."

Jessica gave a small nod, her eyes following Lexi until she vanished through the entrance.

Unlike most clubs, Glamour lacked flashing signs or glaring neon lights.

Its exterior stood shrouded in darkness, resembling an old fortress or a beast crouched in silence, waiting to pounce on its prey.

The sight stirred an immediate association in Jessica's mind. The place reminded her too much of Adrian.

She had been here once before, walking a few steps behind Adrian and Eleanor, her presence barely acknowledged.

Back then, the club had not yet fallen under Adrian's control.

It belonged to his rival, and Adrian had come with his men to reclaim property that used to belong to the Buckley family.

The confrontation escalated quickly, tension stretched tight as both sides raised their weapons without hesitation.

Terrified, Eleanor hid behind Adrian.

Adrian's rival cast a sharp, threatening glance over, the scar slicing through his eyebrow making his sneer all the more vicious as he said, "So this is the woman your grandfather chose for you? She is pretty. Hand her over and let me have fun with her for a few days, and I might think about giving this place back to you."