Chapter 5 - THE UNWELCOME GUEST
News of the attack was swept under the rug by the Romano family’s media machine, but the internal tension within the empire reached a boiling point.
Two weeks after the breach, Hannah’s ribs were mostly healed, thanks to strict rest and Adrien’s insistance that she sleep in the master wing of the estate under twenty-four-hour guard. The unspoken bond between them had deepened into a silent, intense understanding. Every morning, they worked on his recovery; every evening, they shared quiet dinners in his private quarters, talking about everything from childhood memories to global politics.
For the first time in years, Hannah felt safe. She felt seen.
Until the heavy oak doors of the dining room were pushed open without warning during a quiet Tuesday dinner.
A woman walked in as if she owned the estate. She was impossibly tall, razor-thin, draped in a cream-colored silk gown that screamed high fashion. Her sharp feature, perfectly tailored makeup, and diamond-encrusted jewelry left no doubt as to her identity.
Lady Victoria Sterling. Daughter of the city’s most powerful banking tycoon, and Adrien’s former fiancée—the woman who had publicly broken off their engagement three days after his spinal injury was declared permanent.
"Adrien, darling," Victoria purred, stepping into the room with heels clicking sharply against the marble. "I heard about the dreadful incident. I simply had to come see if you were still... intact."
Adrien set his wine glass down, his face instantly turning to stone. "Victoria. You are trespassing."
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Victoria laughed lightly, her eyes dismissively sweeping over the table until they landed on Hannah.
Victoria’s posture stiffened slightly, a look of unrefined disgust flashing across her elegant features as she examined Hannah’s simple linen dress and soft curves.
"And who is this?" Victoria asked, raising an eyebrow, her tone laced with malicious pity. "A new housemaid? Or did you hire a second cook, Adrien? She certainly looks like she enjoys the kitchen."
Hannah felt the familiar, sharp sting of shame burn in her chest. For years, women like Victoria had made her feel small, invisible, and worthless. She dropped her gaze toward her plate, her fingers tightening around her napkin.
CRACK.
The sound of snapping wood cut through the room.
Adrien had slammed his palm onto the mahogany table, snapping the stem of his crystal wine glass in two. Red wine pooled over the white tablecloth like fresh blood.
"Victoria," Adrien’s voice was so low and saturated with pure malice that even the guards standing by the walls shifted uncomfortably. "Apologize to Miss Mitchell, or I will have you thrown out into the rain this very second."
Victoria blinked, caught completely off guard. "Adrien! Are you insane? She’s a servant! Look at her! She’s a fat, common girl taking advantage of your condition!"
"She is the woman who saved my life when my own blood tried to sell me out," Adrien snarled, his eyes locking onto Victoria like a predator tracking prey. "And she has more grace, beauty, and honor in her little finger than your entire superficial bloodline possesses."
Victoria’s jaw dropped. She looked between Adrien’s furious face and Hannah’s stunned expression.
"You can't be serious," Victoria hissed, her voice rising in humiliation. "You're defending this over me? I came back to discuss merging our families' assets!"
"You left when you thought I was broken," Adrien said, his tone dropping to an absolute absolute zero. "And now you return when you realize I still hold the power. Get out of my sight before I ruin your father’s bank by morning."
Victoria turned bright red, her hands trembling with rage. She cast a venomous look at Hannah. "You think he cares about you, girl? You’re a temporary tool to him. A charity case!"
She spun on her high heels and stormed out of the grand room, slamming the heavy doors behind her.
Silence settled over the dining room.
Hannah sat frozen, her chest heaving as she stared at Adrien. "You... you shouldn't have said those things to her, Adrien. Her family has immense influence. You made an enemy for me."
Adrien reached across the table, taking her hand in his, completely ignoring the red wine staining his sleeve.
"I don't care about her influence, Hannah," Adrien said softly, his rough thumb tracing the back of her knuckles. "And no one under my protection will ever be made to feel small. Especially not you."
Hannah looked into his eyes and felt something deep inside her melt away—the years of insecurity, the weight of her past betrayals, the fear of being unlovable.
"Thank you," she whispered.
May you like
Adrien pulled her hand gently toward his lips, pressing a soft, deliberate kiss to her knuckles. "Get ready, Hannah. Next week is the annual Romano Foundation Ball. The entire city’s elite will be there. Marcus thinks he’s going to announce his takeover."
He smiled—a dangerous, breathtaking smirk. "And you are going to be my guest of honor."
