Chapter 226
When Adriel asked the ques
- question. Elsie lifted her head and looked at him. Her bright, sky–blue eyes blinked with innocent confusion.
Tm braiding our for a bit.” Adriel continued, “do you want to come with me to the hospital, or stay here with Noelle
Elsie hesitated and slowly rose to her feet. Though she’d grown deeply attached to Noelle, it was clear she still didn’t want to for too far from Adriel either. Sering her struggle to decide, Adriel’s lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile. So she’s not completely heartless after all.
He extended a hand toward her. “Come with me, then”
Elie looked at the hand he offered, seemingly about to take it. But then she glanced at Noelle, a clear reluctance in her eye her hand still rightly gripping Noelle’s arm. Tom between the two, she looked utterly conflicted.
Just as the situation reached a silent standoff, Noelle unexpectedly stepped in to defuse it with perfect timing and a last of social finesse.
“Td like to visit Dad too,” she said sweetly, standing up. “Ill come with you, Adriel”
Elie visibly brightened. Her entire face lit up as she clung tighter to Noelle’s arm and turned a hopeful gaze toriel. Noelle smiled at him too wide–eyed and expectant, mirroring the same look. Adriel glanced between them–the two identical expressions staring him down.
He sighed, helpless. “Alright, let’s go.”
Noelle beamed. “Yay!”
“Ee–ya” Ehie chimed in joyfully.
Noelle looked at her and couldn’t help thinking that Elsie was her lucky charm, Just moments ago, she hadn’t the faintest clue how to bridge the distance between her and Adriel. Now, with Elsie stuck to her like glue, getting close to him was suddenly as easy as breathing
At this rate, I’ll finish the mission in no time: Giddy, she threw her arms around Elsie and bounced happily. “Elsie, you’re the best!”
Elsie didn’t understand the words, but she understood the hug and returned it, just as cheerful,
Watching the two of them wrapped around each other, the rest of the Andersons hard varied reactions
Els face twitched. “I swear, it’s like watching two overgrown toddlers.”
Even the usually stoic Charlie muttered, “Agreed”
Bennett chuckled, eyes narrowing with amusement. They really are something”
Damon scanned the two girls and nodded. “Ill allow it”
In the car. Noelle and Elsie sar on either side of Adriel in the backseat Elsie, perfectly content, had one arm wrapped around Noelle and the other linked with Adriels. She wore a sofi, satisfied smile that made her look like she’d found her place in the world.
Adriel glanced down at her, and for once, the cool rationality in his eyes gave way to something warmer–in almost indulgent fondnews. Noelle
Seeing an opportunity, she decided to strike up a conversation
“Adriel” she asked, smiling innocently, “where did you meet Elsie?”
He looked at her briefly, expression unreadable. Truth be told, his feelings toward Noelle were complicated. He’d never considered himself a good brother. To him, family honor had always come before blood ties.
When he first learned of Noelle’s existence, he’d investigated her background and found nothing impressive–she’d dropped out of middle school and spent years drafting aimlessly. Frankly, Adriel had been disappointed.
She didn’t in the mold of an Anderson In fact, he’d even wished she’d never shown up, that Leia lud remained the only sister.
li was cold, even cruel—but it had been the truth.
And yet, in just a few months, the family dynamic had flipped on its head. Noelle, once unwelcome and overlooked, had integrated seamlessly into their world Leis, once beloved, had been exposed as someone capable of poisoning the father who raised her. The perfect lule sister had turned out to be venomous, while the mister had proven strong, loyal, and even admirable.
Chapter 296
Now Adriel alidn’t know how to treat Noelle. He couldn’t just change his attitude overnight—he wasn’t someone who faked warmth for appearances. But unexpectedly. Noelle was the ne who had the first step. She smiled at him, asked questions, offered him a way in.
Adriel was a businesanan
dharp, adaptable. Since Noelle had given him the opportunity, he saw no reason to keep his distance.
“She was in an alley near
i heimic all plant when it exploded,” he said calmly. “I found her there
(1, 1 see” Noelle nodded. “And you’ve been together ever si
ver since!”
Living together toad“.
Eating together?”
She gave him a look. “Sleeping together too?”
“Yes” Adriel answered automatically, then froze. His eyes narrowed as ise turned sharply to Noelle, who was staring at him with mock surprise and
“Wow,” she said, pretending to be shocked. “That’s fast”
She thought of how long she’d been with Nick, and they’d harely shared a bed. Meanwhile, Adriel and Elsic had reached that milestone in no time.
Adriel pinched the bridge of his nose, irritated. Can’t believe I walked right into that.
“Don’t repeat that to anyone,” he said wearily.
“Why not” Noelle asked innocently.
“It could give people the wrong impression about Elsie”
“Why would it!” Noelle blinked. “Unless… you don’t plan to take responsibility? Are you a heartless playboy, Adriel”
“Tm not” he said firmly, though he couldn’t quite figure out how this conversation had spiraled into a public interrogation
But Else was also looking up at him now, curious and wide–eyed, so he had no choice but to clarify. “I will take responsibility. But she’s lost her memory. She’s mentally not quite stable. I don’t know if, once she recovers, she’ll still want to be with me?
That question struck a nerve. Adriel’s gaze lowered toward the girl leaning on him, There was a flicker of something bitter in his expressión..
“If she doesn’t,” he said quietly, “then of course I’ll let her go”
Noelle made a face. Then why sleep with her in the first place! That’s taking advantage of her! I read in a book–that’s called being a creep.”
Adriel s temnj le twitched
He wasn’t a saint, but when it came to Eiste, he had never crossed any lines. “We may have shared a bed, but I’ve never touched her inappropriately.” he said with strained panence. She refused to sleep alone. Even when I set up a room for her, she’d end up sneaking into my bed by morning. After trying to correct it a few times. I gave up. But I’ve never done anything to her.”
“Oh Norli nodded as if understanding, then leaned in with a mischievous look and whispered, “So… you’re just not capable.
Adriel nearly choked
He clenched his bats, trying very hard not to lose it. He was this close to telling her off–but what was the point!
-This girl was imponable.
