Chapter 18 " Well , I should get going . " Primo adjusted his suit jacket . " I'll see you all tonight . I'll make sure to come prepared for dinner . " The front door clicked shut behind him , leaving a heavy silence in the kitchen . I stood frozen , my mind racing through the implications of tonight's dinner . But Adrian … Adrian just walked over to the table and settled into a chair like we were having a normal breakfast . He reached for the toast rack , spreading butter with precise movements . " How can you eat right now ? " I slid into the chair beside him . He glanced at me , a hint of amusement in his eyes . " Skipping breakfast won't change tonight's plans . " " This is wonderful . " Dad bustled around the kitchen , practically glowing . " Everything's falling into place . The Castellanos , the 80 19.05 1/8 Chapter 18 Chromos family - these connections will be invaluable . " Adrian's phone buzzed . He checked the screen , his expression shifting slightly . " I apologize , but I need to take this . " He stood , touching my shoulder briefly . " Business call - won't be long ." The moment Adrian stepped out , Dad's cheerful demeanor vanished . He leaned across the table , his voice dropping low . " Asteria . " His eyes bore into mine . " How much does Adrian know about our family's … true business ? " My coffee cup froze halfway to my lips . The question I'd been dreading since Adrian started coming around more often . " What do you mean ? " I kept my voice steady . " Don't play coy . " Dad's fingers drummed against the table . " How much does he know about our connection to the families ? About what we really do ? " 80 % 19:05 2/8 Chapter 18 I shifted in my chair , weighing my next words . " He knows about us . Mostly ." Dad's eyebrows lifted , but he gave a slow nod . " There might be a reason you felt you needed to tell him . " He paused , studying my face . " Is he part of one of the families ? " " No. " I wrapped my hands around my coffee cup , feeling its warmth . " He's not . " Another nod from Dad , this one heavier . His weathered fingers traced the rim of his . own cup . " You're aware how dangerous this could be ? Not just for us , but for Adrian too ? " I met Dad's gaze straight on . " Yes , I know the risks . But I had my reasons . " I reached across the table , placing my hand over his . " I need you to trust me on this , Dad . " He looked down at our hands , then back up at me . The worry lines around his eyes . softened . " I will . You've always had good judgment , even when I didn't understand D80A 10:05 3/8 Chapter 18 your choices . " I nodded , squeezing Dad's hand . " Thank you . That means a lot . " The words about Primo sat heavy on my tongue . The truth about his real intentions , his obsession , the danger lurking beneath his polite smiles - it all pressed against my teeth , begging to spill out . But I swallowed it back . The timing wasn't right . Dad had enough on his plate with the dinner tonight , and dropping this bomb would only complicate things further . Dad patted my hand before pulling away to refill his coffee . " You know you can always come to me , right ? No matter what's going on . " The guilt twisted deeper in my stomach . If he only knew what was really happening , how Primo's seemingly innocent dinner invitation was anything but . Yet I forced a smile , keeping my voice steady . " I know , Dad . " D80% 19:05 4/8 Chapter 18 your choices . " nodded , squeezing Dad's hand . " Thank you . That means a lot . " The words about Primo sat heavy on my tongue . The truth about his real intentions , his obsession , the danger lurking beneath his polite smiles - it all pressed against my teeth , begging to spill out . But I swallowed it back . The timing wasn't right . Dad had enough on his plate with the dinner tonight , and dropping this bomb would only complicate things further . Dad patted my hand before pulling away to refill his coffee . " You know you can always. come to me , right ? No matter what's going on . " The guilt twisted deeper in my stomach . If he only knew what was really happening , how Primo's seemingly innocent dinner invitation was anything but . Yet I forced a smile , keeping my voice steady . " I know , Dad . " 80 % 19.05 4/8 Chapter 18 The sound of Adrian's footsteps approaching made me straighten in my chair . Not yet , I thought . The truth would have to wait for another day , when I could explain everything without putting anyone else at risk . For now , keeping quiet was the safest option for everyone involved . Adrian slipped back into the dining room , tucking his phone into his pocket . The morning light caught his profile as he settled into his chair beside me . Dad cleared his throat , his expression . shifting to something more serious . " Adrian , I wanted to thank you . What you're doing with Vincent … helping arrange this meeting . It means a lot to our family . " " It's nothing , really . " Adrian's hand found mine under the table , his thumb tracing small circles against my palm . " No. " Dad's voice carried a weight I rarely heard . " It's not nothing . Especially given that you know who we really are . " 80 % 10:05 5/8 Chapter 18 Adrian's eyes flicked to mine , then back to Dad . The morning silence stretched between us like a wire . " So she told you . " Dad nodded , his coffee cup forgotten on the table . A small smile played at the corner of Adrian's mouth . " Well then , let me say it's my pleasure to help such an … established family as yours . " His tone carried a hint of something I couldn't quite place . " The Mitchell name commands respect in certain circles . " " Certain circles ? " Dad's eyebrows lifted . Adrian gave a measured nod , " From what Asteria has shared , that's what I understand of your family's … position ." " And that knowledge doesn't frighten you ? " Dad leaned forward . " Getting involved with families like ours - one wrong move could cost you your life . " A low chuckle escaped Adrian's throat , the sound sending an unexpected shiver down 80 % 19:05 6/8 Chapter 18 my spine . " I'm an art dealer , Mr. Mitchell . My entire career is built on calculating losses and gains ." His grip tightened slightly on my hand . " And in this case , I have nothing to lose . " The certainty in his voice made my chest tighten . I studied his profile , the sharp line of his jaw , the quiet confidence in his posture . My mind wandered to what could have been if I'd met Adrian first , if he'd - been the one I'd fallen for instead of Primo . The thought of walking down the aisle . toward him , of building a life together … His words from yesterday echoed in my head : " I've taken quite a liking to you . " The memory of his voice , soft and sincere in his room , made my heart skip . I'd felt something then , something real and unexpected . Now , watching him face down my father's questions without flinching , that feeling only grew stronger . For a moment , I let myself imagine a 80 % 19:05 7/8 Chapter 18 different path , one where Adrian and I had found each other before Primo cast his shadow over my life . You might also like The Lie of Marriage Ten YearsME ACCEPTED THE ARRANGED of Lies One Final Goodbye Ten Years of Lies , One Final Goodbye Regina Marriage Planned for Me After My Boyfriend Neglected Me , I A …. Morning Dew The Lie of