The Blackened Odds by Mark Twain 9
Chapter 9
Life settled back into something like normal after that day at the cemetery. What Julian did barely registered.
It didn’t matter to me anymore.
I kept working on new pieces at Adrian’s studio. He sent my work to a director with real clout overseas. He needed a score for his next film. What I’d been writing was exactly what he wanted.
It was the kind of break most composers never got. I threw everything into it. I spent days in the studio without leaving, barely sleeping.
Adrian was there through all of it. When I hit a wall, he’d take me outside to clear my head. When I forgot to eat, he’d bring me a meal he’d prepared himself, refusing to leave until the plate was empty.
Being around him was easy. Quiet. Nothing like it had been with Julian, all chaos and pain.
I thought that part of my life was over.
Then one evening, I walked out of the studio and there he was, leaning against his car with a huge bouquet
of roses in his arms.
The moment he saw me, he straightened and came over, forcing a smile. “Lily, I had them flown in from
Ecuador this morning.”
The red was too bright, almost violent. It made my eyes ache.
“We don’t have anything to talk about.”
His smile faltered. He just stood there, lost.
“Lily, I know I was wrong. I knew I was a bastard. Worse than that. Just give me one more chance. Please.”
A few months ago, that might’ve worked. Not anymore. I didn’t feel a thing.
I walked past him. He followed and caught my wrist.
“Lily, I took care of Vivian. She paid for what she did. I swear I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”
I stopped. Turned around and looked at him. His eyes were bloodshot. I kept my voice steady.
“Took care of? Did you press charges? Did you hand over the evidence of fraud to the police? Or did you just cut her off and kick her out of the company?”
He went still, like he hadn’t expected me to ask. His mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Of course. The Summers did business with the Sterlings. Why would he burn that bridge for me?
He’d done the math and picked the option that cost him the least.
None of this was love. It was convenience.
Chapter 9
90.00%
I pulled my hand free. Any softness I had left was gone.
“Julian, you never got it. You think destroying Vivian makes up for what you did? You think it’ll bring my mom back? You don’t even know when you lost me.”
Something in his face cracked. The color drained from him.
“You got used to having me around. You can’t stand that you don’t own me anymore. The only person you’ve
ever loved is yourself.”
He looked like I’d pulled the ground out from under him. He thought apologizing would be enough. That I’d come running back like I always had. He couldn’t accept I was done.
Adrian’s car pulled up. He stepped out and came over. Julian’s expression went dark when he saw Adrian.
Adrian barely glanced at Julian. “Lily, we should go.”
I nodded and turned to get in the car.
Julian lunged forward, blocking the door, eyes wild. “I won’t let you go. I won’t let you be with him.”
Adrian stepped between us. “You’re embarrassing yourself, Mr. Sterling.”
Julian didn’t even look at him. His eyes stayed locked on me.
“Lily, come back. Come back, and I’ll give you everything. My money, my company, my life, it’s all yours.”
He was begging now, pride gone. Pathetic.
I turned to Adrian. I looked into his eyes and smiled.
“Adrian. That question you asked me before, I can answer it now.”
Adrian went still. Something shifted in his expression.
Last month, after my last session with the specialist, he’d asked if I’d share my life with him-not as a
student, but as his partner.
Back then, I didn’t answer. Now, with Julian watching, I had my answer.
I reached up and kissed Adrian. When I pulled back, I looked right at him.
“I do.”
Chapter 9
90.00%
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.
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