IF IT GOES WRONG

ADELINE'S POV

Adrian, in a rush to call my parents and tell them to push the date of the signing to an earlier date, and in a rush to get Martha from wherever she's locked up, left me in his study. It's amazing what some ass and boobs can do to a man. He left me in his study and the second I was alone, I immediately started snooping.

I pull drawers and cupboards until I find a small safe behind a painting on the wall. Classic place to hide what a person doesn't want others to see. Unfortunately, I don't have the password to his safe but at least, now I know where to look. Within the week, while Dante and Liam and faking the papers, I'll try to find the password to his safe and I'll try to find a way to get into his study unseen.

I run back to my room in a haste and try to sleep the stress of the entire day off and wait for Martha to return to me the next morning.

The following morning, I'm woken up by a knock on my door. I hurry towards the door and when I pull it open, Martha's wounded and swollen face meets me and hits me straight in the guts. I pull her into my room and slam the door shut. I start shaking and trembling at the state she's in.

"Oh my God! What did they do to you?" I ask, covering my mouth with my hands as I stare at her in horror, a tear threatening to spill from my eyes.

"I'm fine ma'am. I only got a beating. I thought they were going to kill me. I guess I have you to thank for my life. Did you do what you needed to do? Did the plan work?" She asks. She can barely even stand properly so I take her towards the couch in my room and make her sit down.

Her voice comes out weak and in cracks but despite the pain I'm sure she's in, she manages to smile at me.

"You were really going to sacrifice yourself for me?" I ask her in disbelief.

"Of course, ma'am. I have nothing to lose but you. You have everything to lose if you end up in this house with that monster. If you succeed in your plans, you'll save me and everyone else who has ever suffered by his hands. You're fighting for a great cause. I didn't have much to live for in the longest time. But your determination and courage gave me the will to fight. I will help you in any way that I can."

"I'm really sorry for all this Martha. God feels so guilty. I promise you he'll pay for this, okay? He'll pay I promise."

"I have no doubt you will ruin him ma'am. I have faith in you." Martha says with a sparkle in her eyes.

I've had to cancel all my appointments this week, so all my patients are going to have to be put on hold for a week, which is very dangerous for them but I want to put all my energy into this plan.

 Just then I hear another knock on my door. Martha stands and acts like she's dusting my table and I walk towards my door and pull it open, revealing a smiling Adrian.

"Your parents agreed. And to celebrate, they've invited us both at their place. They were actually really happy about the proposition. They already have everything set to launch their company in a week's time." Adrian announces.

"They also asked to apologize for not being able to spend time with us both. They've been very busy putting everything together." Adrian says and places a kiss on my forehead. When he notices Martha in my room, a sinister look washes across his face.

"I see you've gotten your maid back. I taught her a lesson so she never repeats the same mistakes twice so please excuse the bruises on her face. You know people of her category and skin color are animals. They only lean from a whip or a beating."

He doesn't give me time to respond as he walks out of my room. He seems to be in a very good mood because of this wedding and contract and I don't know if that's a good or bad thing.

"Get ready Adeline. We mustn't keep your parents waiting." He says and escapes my room. Great. I get to spend half of my day with the three people in the world that I dislike the most.

I quickly message Liam and Dante and update them on my situation. Dante said he and Liam have already modified the contract, so now, all I have to do is replace it on the day of the signing. I ask Martha to take the day off and put herself to rest because there's no way I'm letting her work in the state she's in.

It's my fault she got beaten up so it's my responsibility to make her feel comfortable.

As soon as we get to my parents' place, they act all jolly and happy like everything in the world is all roses and sunshine. As if they didn't sell me to racist murderer. When all this is done, I can't wait to see the look on their faces when Adrian gets locked up for all his crimes.

"Oh, we made the most delicious breakfast. We're so happy to have you both with us this morning. I admit we totally abandoned you and Adeline but we've been so busy with the launching preparations. We're all done now and you both can have our full attention. How has life been for you two?" My mom asks, blabbering like an obsessed teenager as she leads us to the dining room.

"Oh, we're also so happy the contract signing will be soon. We can't wait for the wedding too! Our families will finally be one. Oh Adeline we have to make haste with the wedding prep as soon as possible. We can't waste any more time. I can't wait for all the grandchildren you're going to have with Adrian."

"Slow down mom…" I say with a shy laugh. I really need her to shut up because she's being really annoying right now.

"Oh, I'm so carried away by happiness. Adeline is well behaved and to your liking I hope?" My mom averts her gaze to Adrian, talking about me like I'm a pet, like I'm a dog. Like I'm not seated right in front of her.

"Your daughter is amazing. Strong and hardworking. Respectful and obedient. Just what I need in a woman." Adrian says and rests his hand on my shoulder.

"That is good. We raised her well. Despite her past mistakes, we always knew our daughter had it in her to be the woman we always dreamed for her to be. When we launch the company, she must be integrated. It's about time Adeline knew about the business world." My father says with a proud smile on his face and I almost choke on spit. I've never wanted anything to do with my parents' businesses.

"But father, I already have a job." I say politely.

"You'll have to quit, dear. A therapist is an honorable job but you need to move on to more serious matters. You'll meet amazing business people and your career in the business world will accelerate fast with Adrian by your side."

"As you wish father." I say like the respectful daughter that they want me to be. I can pretend for a while longer. This is all fake to me anyways.

My parents and Adrian make small talk and I zone out thinking about the signing. I know Adrian and my parents have already read through the contract, but they'll want to read it one more time to make sure everything is in order.

My only hope is that everything goes on perfectly. If the signing goes wrong, then everything will be ruined.