3 Chapter 13 Yesha pulled out a chair across from me , her perfectly manicured nails trailing across the polished wood . She didn't wait for an invitation before settling in , crossing her legs with deliberate slowness . " Primo told me everything . " She picked up my unused dessert spoon , examining her reflection . " Your little gallery scheme ? So predictable . Did you really think you could outsmart him ? " My jaw clenched . Adrian remained motionless beside me , his presence steady but watchful . " Oh , don't look so surprised . " Yesha's lips curved into a cruel smile . " He knew exactly what you were planning . In fact , you played right into his hands . The Castellanos ? They're already in Primo's pocket now because of you . " The pasta in my stomach turned to lead . 80 % 19:03 1/7 Chapter 13 " You know what the best part is ? " She leaned forward , her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper . " Every night , after dealing with all this tedious business , he comes home to me . And God , the way he fucks me … " She dragged out each word . " It's like he's channeling all his frustration . with you into pure animal passion . " My knuckles went white around my fork . Adrian's hand brushed my knee under the table . " We've already planned our vacation . " Yesha examined her nails . " Right after this farce of a wedding , once the merger's complete . Three weeks in the Maldives . Private villa , private beach . " Her eyes met mine , sharp with malice . " Just imagine , while you're stuck playing the dutiful wife for the cameras , I'll be the one in his bed . The one he really wants . " I let out a low laugh , setting my fork down with deliberate care . " Oh , Yesha . Is that really the best you can do ? Bragging about 80 % 19:03 2/7 Chapter 13 being the side piece ? " Her smile faltered . " Let me explain something . " I leaned forward , matching her earlier posture . " While you're spreading your legs in some villa , desperately trying to convince . yourself you matter , I'll be the one signing the contracts . Making the decisions . Standing beside him at every major family event as Mrs. Chromos . " Adrian's hand remained steady on my knee , grounding me . " You see , that's the difference between us . You think fucking him gives you power ? " I traced the rim of my wine glass. " I'm the one who knows every detail of his business . The one who meets with the family heads . The one whose name will be on every legal document . " Yesha's face tightened , a muscle jumping in her jaw . " And sweetheart ? " I took a slow sip of wine . BO 10:03 3/7 Chapter 13 " Those nights you're so proud of ? They're just stress relief . The same way some men hit the gym or drink . You're basically a human stress ball . " I set my glass down with a soft clink . " Convenient , disposable , and easily replaced . " Her fingers trembled around the dessert spoon . " But please , keep telling yourself that a few weeks in the Maldives makes you special . It's adorable , really . Like watching a child play dress - up with mommy's clothes . " I smoothed my napkin . Yesha's composure cracked . She shifted in her seat , her knuckles white around the spoon . " It doesn't matter . Within a year , you'll be divorced and forgotten . He promised me - swore to me that once the merger's complete , you'll be out of the picture . Then I'll be Mrs. Chromos . " A laugh bubbled up from my chest , sharp and genuine . " Oh honey , is that what he told you ? " I leaned back , catching the slight 80 % 19:03 4/7 Chapter 13 curve of Adrian's lips from the corner of my eye . " Tell me something - if he's so willing to orchestrate a fake marriage with me , what makes you think your future wedding won't be just another business arrangement ? " The blood drained from her face . Her mouth opened and closed , no words coming out . " After all , " I continued , savoring each word , " if he can fake a marriage once , he can do it again . And again . And again . However many times it takes to get what he wants . " The dessert spoon clattered against the table as Yesha shot to her feet . Her chest heaved with rapid breaths , mascara smudging at the corners of her eyes . " You're wrong , " she snarled , but her voice wavered . " He loves me . You're just a means to an end . " " Maybe . But at least I know exactly what I am to him . Can you say the same ? " 80 % 19:03 5/7 Chapter 13 curve of Adrian's lips from the corner of my eye . " Tell me something - if he's so willing to orchestrate a fake marriage with me , what makes you think your future wedding won't be just another business arrangement ? " The blood drained from her face . Her mouth opened and closed , no words . coming out . " After all , " I continued , savoring each word , " if he can fake a marriage once , he can do it again . And again . And again . However many times it takes to get what he wants . " The dessert spoon clattered against the table as Yesha shot to her feet . Her chest heaved with rapid breaths , mascara smudging at the corners of her eyes . " You're wrong , " she snarled , but her voice . wavered . " He loves me . You're just a means to an end . " " Maybe . But at least I know exactly what I am to him . Can you say the same ? " 80 % 10:04 677 Chapter 13 Yesha grabbed her purse , her movements jerky and uncoordinated . " This isn't over , Mitchell . You think you're so clever , but you have no idea what's coming ." She stormed away from the table , nearly colliding with a maid in her haste to escape . As Yesha's heels clicked away , Adrian turned to me with an appreciative smile . " That was quite impressive . You dismantled her piece by piece without raising your voice once . " " Thank you . " I dabbed my lips with the napkin . " Sometimes the best way to handle a snake is to show them their own venom . " We finished our dinner in comfortable silence , the tension from Yesha's visit melting away with each bite of the excellent food . We headed back to our respective rooms in the estate's guest wing . Later that night , I needed to discuss our next steps with Adrian . The corridor was BOL 19.04 6/7 Chapter 13 quiet as I approached his door . A sliver of light spilled through the slight gap , and I paused when movement caught my eye . My breath caught in my throat . Adrian stood there , fresh from the shower , water still glistening on his bare torso . But it wasn't his physique that made my eyes widen - it was the intricate network of tattoos covering his skin . I'd seen mafia tattoos before , but these were different . These were the marks of the highest echelons , symbols that only the most . powerful families would dare to wear . Before I could process what I was seeing , Adrian's low chuckle filled the room . He reached for his shirt , his back still turned to the door . " You know , Asteria , it's not polite to peek . " His voice carried a hint of amusement . " Though I suppose I should have closed the door properly . " 80 % 19.04 717