Chapter 6 WHY THEY BACK

ISLA

The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on.

Elena Russo stood there in her designer heels, her red-painted lips curved into an annoyingly perfect smirk.

I recognized her immediately.

I mean, who wouldn't?

She was practically a socialite princess, always appearing in magazines beside Adrian like they were some golden couple destined for each other.

And now, she was here.

Looking at me.

Looking at my stomach.

Her expression never faltered, but I saw the flash of something in her eyes.

Disdain?

Anger?

Jealousy?

I couldn't tell.

But I didn't trust her.

"Adrian," she said, her voice smooth and possessive, like she had every right to be here. "Why didn't you tell me you were back?"

Adrian leaned against his desk, arms crossed.

"I didn't think I had to," he said simply.

I almost smirked.

Almost.

But then Elena turned her sharp gaze back to me.

"And you," she said sweetly, stepping closer. "How long have you been... in Adrian's life?"

I knew what she meant.

She wanted to know how long I had been ruining her perfect little fantasy.

So, I smiled.

"Oh, not too long," I said, resting a hand on my stomach. "Just long enough to carry his child."

Her eyes flashed.

Adrian exhaled. "Elena, what do you want?"

She tore her gaze away from me, smiling at him.

"To talk," she said. "Alone."

Adrian hesitated, glancing at me.

I hated that he hesitated.

But I wasn't going to stand there and wait for an invitation.

So, I walked past her, my shoulder deliberately brushing against hers.

And before I stepped out, I leaned close and whispered,

"You're a little late, Elena."

Then, I left.

*****-****

Adrian

The moment Isla walked out, I turned to Elena, my patience wearing thin.

"What are you really doing here?" I asked.

She pouted, stepping closer. "I came back for you, Adrian."

I sighed. "You left."

"To study. To build my career. I always planned to return."

I ran a hand through my hair. "Elena, this isn't the time."

Her eyes softened, and she reached out, placing a delicate hand on my chest.

"It's always been us, Adrian," she murmured. "Since we were kids. You and me. No one else."

I didn't push her away.

But I didn't pull her closer either.

And she noticed.

Her fingers curled slightly against my shirt. "Is it because of her?"

I didn't answer.

Because I didn't know.

Elena exhaled sharply. "This isn't over," she said, stepping back. "I'll see you soon."

Then, she turned and walked out.

I sat down at my desk, rubbing my temples.

This was becoming a mess.

And something told me it was only going to get worse.

CONFERENCE ROOM

The boardroom is massive, with glass walls overlooking the city skyline. Twelve executives sit at the table, their eyes darting between me and the financial reports in front of them.

"Finalize the contract by the end of the day," I say, rising to my feet. "I don't want this dragging into next quarter."

No one dares protest.

Because no one questions Adrian Knight.

The moment I step out of the boardroom, Sophia is waiting for me in the hallway. My younger sister, the only person in this world I actually trust.

"You're scaring them again," she teases, falling into step beside me.

"They should be scared."

Sophia rolls her eyes. "It wouldn't kill you to pretend to be human every once in a while."

I ignored her, walking toward the elevator. "What do you want?"

She exhales dramatically. "Can't a sister just visit her favorite brother?"

"I'm your only brother."

"Exactly."

The elevator doors slide open, and we step inside. As soon as they close, Sophia's playful expression fades. "There's been talk."

I glance at her. "About?"

She hesitates. "Victor Morelli."

My jaw clenches.

Of course.

Morelli has been a thorn in my side for years, running his criminal empire in the shadows while pretending to be legitimate. He's tried to pull Knight Industries into his mess before, but I shut him down every time.

Still, the bastard keeps pushing.

"What about him?" I ask, already irritated.

Sophia bites her lip. "Word is, he's looking for a way to get to you."

I snort. "He's been trying for years. He always fails."

"This time might be different."

I fold my arms. "Why?"

Sophia hesitates again, then sighs. "Because it involves a woman."

My brows lift. "A woman?"

She nods. "Now that Isla is involved, it will be easier for him and harder for you, take note.."

The elevator dings, the doors sliding open.

I step out without another word, my mind already shifting gears.

If Victor thinks he can touch me, he's about to learn just how wrong he is.

And if she's caught in the middle of it?

Well.

She just made the biggest mistake of her life because I only care for that baby not her..

Because no one drags Adrian Knight into their mess and walks away unscathed.

******

Isla

I was pacing.

In Adrian's massive office lounge, fuming.

I shouldn't care.

I shouldn't.

But seeing her standing there, looking like she belonged next to him, it made something twist in my chest.

The door opened.

I turned, expecting Elena.

But it wasn't.

It was one of Adrian's men.

A security guard.

"Miss Isla," he said politely. "You have a visitor."

I frowned.

"A visitor?"

"Yes. He says he knows you."

I walked past him, stepping into the hallway.

And then I saw who it was.

I stopped breathing.

Because standing there, in a sharp black suit, with his cold, calculating eyes locked onto me......

Victor Morelli.

My blood ran cold.

How did he-

My stomach twisted.

He found me.

Victor smiled, slow and amused.

"Did you really think you could run from me, Isla?" he murmured.

I took a step back.

His eyes flicked to my stomach.

Then, he laughed.

Low. Amused.

Like this was all a game.

"My, my," he murmured. "You've been busy, haven't you?"

I swallowed, my hands clenched into fists.

I wouldn't let him see my fear.

"What do you want?" I asked, voice steady.

Victor tilted his head, smirking.

"I think you already know."

He took a step closer, and I took another step back-

Until I bumped into something solid.

A chest.

Warm. Strong.

I turned my head slightly.

Adrian.

The tension in the hallway was suffocating.

Victor Morelli stood there, his dark, calculating eyes fixed on me, but Adrian was in front of me now like a solid, unmovable wall between me and the man I had been running from for months.

Victor's lips curved into a smirk, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Move, Adrian."

Adrian didn't even blink. "You must be confused, Morelli. This is my company, not yours."

Victor chuckled, but I heard the underlying warning in his tone.

"That woman behind you?" His eyes flicked to me. "She belongs to me."

My stomach twisted in disgust.

"I belong to no one," I bit out.

"I don't care what you want." Adrian's tone was as cold as ice. "If you ever step near her again, I'll make sure you regret it."

Then, slowly, he stepped back.

"This isn't over," he said simply.

And then, he walked away.

Adrian turned to me, his eyes scanning my face. "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah." But my hands were shaking.

He noticed.

Without a word, he took my hand and led me back into his office.

***********

Adrian

I tilted my head slightly. "Are you going to tell me why Morelli came here?"

Her jaw tightened.

For a second, I thought she wasn't going to answer.

Then, finally, she sighed and sank into the chair across from me.

"It's a long story.

start talking.