Chapter 9

Quiet Cracks and Gentle Wars

Elara stirred beneath the covers, her limbs stretching languidly as the morning light filtered through the tall glass windows. The sheets still held the warmth of the night before, and her lips tingled faintly with the memory of his kiss. She reached across the bed, expecting to brush against firm skin, maybe even hear the quiet rhythm of his breath beside her.

But her hand met nothing but cool, empty space.

Her eyes fluttered open.

The bed beside her was undisturbed, the pillows barely dented. She blinked once, then twice. A flicker of panic coursed through her.

Was it a dream?

Her heart thudded uncertainly as she sat up, the silky sheets slipping off her bare skin. Everything from last night came back to her in waves —his touch, the way he'd worshipped her with his mouth, the tenderness in his kiss, and how he had cradled her against him like something fragile and irreplaceable.

But now... it felt distant, almost too perfect to be real.

She was just about to convince herself it had all been a cruel dream spun by a hopeful heart when she heard it.

A sound.

The gentle clink of ceramic against marble. The soft shuffle of footsteps.

The kitchen.

Grabbing the satin robe draped at the foot of the bed, Elara slipped it on, tying the sash loosely around her waist. Her hair tumbled down her back in soft waves, still a bit tousled from the night before. She padded out of the room quietly, heart racing with a mixture of hope and disbelief.

As she stepped into the hallway, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and something buttery teased her senses. The sound grew louder with each step, and then she turned into the open kitchen space.

"Adrian?" her voice was soft, unsure.

He turned, dressed in a crisp black t-shirt and grey joggers, barefoot on the cold tiles. The sleeves clung to his arms in a way that made her throat go dry, but it was the softness in his expression that caught her off guard.

"Good morning, sweet." His lips curved in a rare smile as he crossed the space between them. Did I wake you?.

Before she could answer, his hands cupped her cheeks and he pressed a slow, lingering kiss to her lips, warm and reassuring.

Elara closed her eyes, her body melting into his.

Thank God, she thought, it wasn't a dream.

When he pulled away, she exhaled shakily, the tension in her shoulders easing.

"How'd you know I was starving?" she asked, glancing at the counter where eggs sizzled lightly in a pan and toast waited on a plate.

"I try," he murmured, stealing another kiss before guiding her to sit on one of the stools.Eat. You'll need it before your acting class.

Elara froze for a second. He remembered?

"You remembered I have class today?" she asked, unable to hide the surprise in her voice.

"I remember everything about you." He placed the plate in front of her, brushing his fingers across her shoulder as he passed.And I'm driving you.

She blinked. "You are?"

He nodded and leaned against the counter, sipping from a mug.It's only right I take my wife to class.

A flush crept into her cheeks at the word wife. "You don't have to. I can go on my own…"

A sharp buzz cut through the soft domestic moment. Adrian reached for his phone. The smile on his face disappeared as he read the screen.

"Damn," he muttered.

"What is it?" Elara asked, setting her fork down.

He didn't answer immediately, just sighed and placed the phone down.

"That was Julian. Something came up with the board," his voice was tight with annoyance. I have to be in the office in the next hour.

Disappointment coiled in her chest, and she tried not to let it show. It's okay. I understand.

Adrian looked at her, jaw tense. "My driver will take you. And I'll make it up to you tonight. I promise."

She offered a small smile, though her chest ached with an emotion she couldn't name.Alright.

He moved to her side and tilted her chin up. "I mean it, Elara."

"I know."

His gaze dropped to her lips, then lower—her robe was slightly apart, and the delicate curve of her collarbone peeked out. He trailed his fingers lightly down her throat.

"You really want to go to class like this?" he murmured.

Her breath caught. "Like what?"

"Untouched," he whispered, before lifting her up on the kitchen cabin,sinking to his knees in front of her.

"Adrian—" her voice wavered.

But he had already pushed the robe open, dragging it slowly up her thighs. She felt her breath hitch as his mouth found the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, and then—

Her thoughts scattered into sparks.

He was slow, reverent, relentless. His tongue moved with practiced ease, tracing patterns that made her head fall back. Her fingers curled into his hair, pulling him closer, and the sounds that left her lips were unfiltered and raw.

Oh God.

He devoured her like she was something holy.

And just as she was about to fall apart, he pulled back, lips glistening, eyes dark and full of wicked promise.

"Now you can go to class," he said with a grin.

Then he laughed when he saw the look on her face.

"You are so wicked," Elara said.

"I know," he replied with a wicked laugh, then kissed her and went to shower.

She ate, then did the same. She wore one of those dresses Adrian had gotten her.

Adrian left before her, and the driver came to pick her up.

The familiar doors of the acting academy loomed ahead. Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she walked in, head held high even though her stomach twisted with nerves.

She had barely stepped into the main studio when she heard it.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up."

The voice belonged to Jade—a tall, willowy blonde with too much confidence and not enough kindness. She leaned against the mirror wall, arms crossed and lips twisted into a smirk.

Elara ignored her and made her way to her usual spot.

"She's probably late because she's too busy pretending to be Mrs. Billionaire," Jade muttered loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Cut it out," someone murmured, but Jade only tossed her hair.

Just then, the instructor, Maxwell, walked in. Usually distant and neutral, today his eyes landed on Elara and softened.

"Miss Williams—oh, my apologies—Mrs. Wolfe. Welcome," he said, nodding warmly.I've heard quite a bit about you recently.

Elara smiled.

Jade scoffed from the corner, but Maxwell ignored her.

"We've got a new student joining us today—Cat."

"Cat, say hi to your classmates."

A girl with curly red hair and nervous eyes stepped forward. "Hi."

"Wait. Cat? You mean Cat like the animal Cat?" Jessica asked with a smirk, probably to mock the new girl.

"Well yes, Miss Jade," Maxwell responded. "Any problem?"

Jade only scoffed then eyed the girl.

"Cat, why don't you partner with Eler—sorry, I mean Mrs. Wolfe," Maxwell instructed. She'll guide you through the scene exercise today.

Elara blinked, surprised. Jade looked livid.

"Why her?" Jade snapped. "I've been here longer."

Maxwell's gaze hardened. "Because I said so. And I choose anybody I want to. Besides, Mrs. Wolfe knows how to listen on stage—something you're still lacking."

The tension was sharp enough to cut through.

Elara and Cat moved to their corner, reading through their lines. Cat seemed kind, if a little shy, but it was clear she admired Elara's poise.

When it was their turn to perform, Elara stepped forward, her lines memorized, her emotions raw and close to the surface after the morning she'd had.

The scene was intense. A confrontation between sisters. Grief, betrayal, forgiveness. Her voice cracked in just the right places. Her tears weren't faked.

And when it ended, the silence in the studio was heavy.

Then—applause.

Even Maxwell looked impressed.

Jade looked ready to scream.

"Well, that'll be all for today," Maxwell said.

Elara sat down, her heart pounding.

She was still shaking when she got a message from Adrian.

It said on the screen:

"Hope you're having fun at school. I'll make it up to you tonight. I promise."

She blushed as her mind went back to that morning and how he had eaten her pussy. How she hadn't wanted him to stop but he did. She thought she was going to lose it that morning.

She was still in her thoughts when a "Uhm, hi" brought her back to reality.

The voice belonged to Cat. She looked at the newbie and smiled.

She must have been so nervous, she thought. Since it was her first day at the school and she was already acting a scene. She herself was so nervous at first, but anytime she got into character she switched, and anyone would have thought she was a professional.

"You were so good," Cat said.Anyone would have thought you were a professional.

Elara laughed. "Thank you. You too."

How were you so good? Thought you were new to this.

"Oh, I was in an acting school back in New Orleans, but then my dad got transferred to New York, so we moved with him, and I'm here," she said hurriedly.

You'll definitely love it here in New York,Elara said.

"I don't think we've officially introduced ourselves."

"I'm Elara Williams—dang." She forgot she's no longer a Williams but a Wolfe. "Elara Wolfe."

"Cat Thundermans."

"Wait—Wolfe? You mean The Wolfe Wolfe? You're Adrian Wolfe's wife?"

"Wow!" With a surprised look on her face. "What are the odds?"

Elara smiled. "Nice meeting you too."

Cat nodded. "Same here."

"And has she always been like that?"

"Who? Jade?"

"Yeah," Cat said, looking at Jade, who in turn was glaring at them both.

Yes. As far as I know. The best thing to do is to ignore her, whatever she does,Elara said.

"Oh," Cat said.

Don't let her get to you. 'Cause trust me, she'll try her best to get a reaction from you. Just let it roll off your back.

Cat nodded, smiling. "Thanks, Elara."

Elara smiled too. Her morning hadn't gone exactly as planned, but somehow… it was turning out to be better than she imagined.

And tonight?

She was already looking forward to it.