Chapter 8 Not Wearing Her Ring

My anger flared, and I could feel it boiling over. "What's your deal? You know where she is but you aren't telling me. For what? To keep me by your side? Why? To use me again and take the fucking fall for your beloved?"

Adrian didn't even flinch. He just sat there, completely unaffected by my outburst, like I was some unruly child throwing a tantrum.

"You're overthinking this," he said, his tone maddeningly calm.

I slammed my hands on his desk, leaning forward. "Don't patronize me, Adrian. I'm not overthinking anything. You're pulling strings again, and this time I won't let you."

He raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "You seem to think you have a choice."

I straightened, fists clenched. "Of course I have a choice! You think I'm just going to stay here while you dangle my grandmother over my head like some kind of prize?"

Adrian leaned back in his chair, folding his hands over his lap. "You'll stay because you want answers. You'll stay because you know I'm the only one who can give them to you."

I stared at him, my chest heaving, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. His confidence-no, his arrogance-was infuriating.

"You're unbelievable," I finally said, my voice trembling with rage. "You act like everyone in your orbit is just a pawn for you to move around as you please."

"Not everyone," he said coolly, his gaze flickering to me.

"Don't," I snapped. "Don't even try to act like I'm some exception. You've done nothing but manipulate me from the moment I met you."

He didn't deny it. Of course, he didn't. He just kept watching me, his expression unreadable.

He had made me fall in love with him. Made me want him. Made me give him my virginity. Made me laugh and tell me I am the only one he wanted only for him to deceive me and kick me up in prison for four years.

For a crime I did not commit.

"Fine," I said, throwing my hands up. "I'll play your game. I'll stay. But if I find out you're lying to me about her, I swear-"

"You'll what?" Adrian interrupted, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

I bit my lip, unable to finish the sentence. He was baiting me, and I hated that it was working.

The door opened suddenly, and I turned to see his assistant standing there. "Sir, the car is ready."

Adrian stood, adjusting his cufflinks like nothing had happened. "We'll continue this later."

I scoffed. "Of course we will."

"Your work is done for today. I expect you to report here tomorrow as early as 7."

***

"He is fucking infuriating," I said as I aggressively sliced the cabbage, each chop more violent than the last.

"Language, love," Orion chided gently, sprinkling salt into the pot of soup he was stirring.

I glared at him, pointing the knife in his direction. "Don't start with me, Orion. Adrian Sterling is the human embodiment of infuriating."

Orion chuckled, unfazed. "Sounds like he hasn't changed."

"Not one bit," I snapped, tossing the chopped cabbage into a bowl. "He's still the same cold, smug, manipulative bastard he always was."

Orion turned, leaning against the counter as he crossed his arms. His dark eyes sparkled with amusement. "And yet, here you are, working for him."

I slammed the bowl down on the counter. "Not by choice! He's holding my grandmother over my head like some kind of bargaining chip. What was I supposed to do?"

Orion raised an eyebrow. "You could've said no."

"And let him win? Hell no."

"Hmm," he hummed thoughtfully, turning back to the soup. "Still sounds like he's getting under your skin."

"He's not," I said quickly, too quickly.

Orion gave me a knowing look over his shoulder. "You sure about that?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I'm sure. Don't make this into something it's not."

He set the spoon down and walked over to me, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "I'm just saying, love, it's not every day you reconnect with your first love."

"Don't call him that!" I said, smacking him lightly on the chest. "I hate him."

Orion grabbed my hand, pulling me closer. "Hate's a strong word."

"It's the perfect word," I insisted, but my voice wavered slightly as his arms slid around my waist.

He pressed a kiss to the side of my neck, and I couldn't help but giggle, squirming in his hold. "Stop! That tickles."

"I can't help it," he murmured, his lips brushing against my skin. "I'm jealous, you know. Watching you spend all that time with him, even if you claim to hate him."

I turned in his arms, my eyes narrowing playfully. "Jealous of what? A cold, manipulative man who probably doesn't even know how to smile?"

Orion smirked. "Jealous of your history with him. That kind of thing doesn't just go away."

I snorted. "It's ancient history. Fossilized, buried, and forgotten."

"Then why aren't you wearing your ring?" he asked, his tone light but his eyes serious.

The question caught me off guard, and I looked down at my hand, bare and exposed.

"I... I just forgot to put it on this morning," I said weakly, avoiding his gaze.

Orion gently tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him. "Did you? Or are you still unsure?"

I swallowed hard, guilt tugging at the edges of my heart. "Orion, you know I care about you."

"But?" he prompted softly, his voice betraying no anger, just quiet understanding.

"There's no 'but,'" I said quickly. Too quickly.

He smiled sadly, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "You can lie to yourself all you want, Lyra. But don't lie to me."

I opened my mouth to argue, to reassure him, but the words wouldn't come. Because deep down, I didn't even know what to say.

"Orion..."

"Don't lie Lyra. You hate him, but the heart finds it hard to let go of the first love even if he caused you the greatest pain."

I bit my lips. Not wanting to open old wounds.

"I would wear it tomorrow," I muttered, sighing. "I promise."

Orion watched me carefully, his dark eyes searching mine. His sharp jawline softened in the dim kitchen light, framed by a shadow of stubble. He always looked effortlessly put together, even in a simple t-shirt and joggers. His hands rested on my waist, steady and warm, a silent anchor I didn't think I deserved but needed more than I cared to admit.

"You're too hard on yourself," he said, his voice low and calm, like he always knew exactly how to diffuse the storm brewing in my head. "Just don't let him get to you."

"Easier said than done," I muttered, leaning my forehead against his chest. His shirt smelled faintly of detergent and his natural scent.

"Adrian's my boss," he said after a pause, his hand running gently up and down my back. "I know how he can be. Cold. Calculating. And most of all annoying."

"Tell me about it," I mumbled, drawing a soft laugh from him.

Orion tilted my chin up with a finger, his expression both serious and playful. "You need an escape plan for when he gets under your skin. Come find me in the down floor when he pisses you off. My door's always open."

I chuckled softly. "Are you trying to play the hero?"

"Not trying," he said with a wink. "I just am."

I smacked his arm lightly, shaking my head. "You're insufferable."

"Yet here I am, making you laugh," he teased, his lips twitching into a smile.

I leaned back, studying his face. How had we even gotten here? It seemed like another lifetime when I'd first met Orion Hart-when my life had been nothing but chaos and heartache.

---

Flash back.

Two years ago.

It was a dingy courtroom, and I was a mess. My hair was pulled back into a frizzy bun, and my secondhand blazer didn't quite fit. I'd spent the morning sitting on an unforgiving wooden bench, watching lawyers argue over cases that felt worlds away from my own.

When my name was finally called, my stomach twisted in knots. The foster care system had my child-my child-and I was here to fight for custody. I didn't have much-a part-time job at a diner and a shoebox apartment-but I had enough love to fill an ocean. That should count for something, right?

I stood before the judge, fumbling over my words, the lawyer on the other side cutting me down at every turn. I felt small, insignificant. Until I saw him.

He was sitting in the back, leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed. His dark eyes met mine, and he gave me the smallest of nods, as if to say, You've got this.

I didn't know who he was or why he was there, but that look gave me the tiniest spark of confidence. I straightened my shoulders and tried to fight harder, even as the lawyer continued to shred me apart.

When the hearing ended, I walked out of the courtroom, my heart heavy with defeat. I hadn't lost yet, but it didn't feel like I'd won anything either.

"Hey," a voice called out behind me.

I turned to see him-the man from the back of the courtroom-walking toward me. He had a kind smile, the kind that didn't feel forced or fake.

"Rough day?" he asked, falling into step beside me.

I blinked at him, unsure what to make of his sudden appearance. "You could say that."

"I'm Orion," he said, holding out his hand. His grip was firm but warm, and I could feel the calluses on his palm.

"Lyra," I replied hesitantly. "Do I... know you?"

"No," he said easily. "But I know how this system works, and I hate seeing good people get chewed up and spit out by it."

I frowned, suspicion creeping in. "Why were you even there?"

"I'm a manager for a local publication," he explained. "I cover stories like these sometimes. But today? I was there for a friend. Heard your case and thought you might need a little support."

"Support?" I repeated, my voice tinged with disbelief.

Orion nodded. "Look, I know I'm a stranger, but you don't have to do this alone. If you need advice or even just someone to vent to, I'm around. I am sure there is a way I can help."

I stared at him, unsure whether to be grateful or wary. He didn't seem to have any ulterior motives, but my trust had been shattered too many times before.

"Why would you care?" I asked finally.

His smile faltered, and for the first time, I saw something deeper in his eyes-a shadow of pain. "Let's just say I've been in your shoes before. And I wish someone had been there for me."

---

I snapped back to the present as Orion gently squeezed my waist, pulling me closer.

"You're thinking too hard again," he said, his tone light.

"Just remembering," I murmured.

"Good things, I hope."

I smiled faintly, my hand resting on his chest. "The best things."

His grin widened, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Then don't let him take that from you."

"He won't," I promised, though the words felt hollow.

Orion kissed my forehead, his lips lingering for a moment before he pulled back. "Come find me later. I'll make it better. Always do, don't I?"

I wiggled my eyebrows, "Maybe you can make it better tonight."

He chuckled. "You are one naughty girl."

I threw my head back and laughed.

But even as I laughed, a small part of me couldn't shake the question: Why did I really take off the ring this morning?

Did I...not want Adrian to know I am engaged?