Chapter - [ 4 ]

[ Adeline Greyson ]

After the wait of an year, I felt an unexplainable feeling as I landed on my homeland. The air brushed, I immediately fell in love with the city where I belong.

It didn’t change but I was a whole new person. When I left behind my past, I was a broken woman with nothing but hope and now, I am back to take back what was being snatched from me except the despicable man Arthur.

“I love this hair style, Ade and this brunette colour suits your new personality.” Xavier’s voice forced me to turn and saw Xavier standing at a distance with his hands thrusted in his pants’ pockets.

“And this light stubbles suits you, Mr. Linwood.” I said while I walked towards him. I was meeting him after two months. He used to come to London to visit me as a friend who was my well wisher and of course, the business which needed my signatures.

“I’ll drop you off at your parents’ place first. They’re eagerly waiting to meet you. There’s a lot I need to discuss with you since you have been out of the country for an year.” He said, his intense eyes never leaving my face. This man had his own effect on me even though he doesn’t do much.

“I know most of the part. I was in London not on Mars.” I rolled my eyes.

His driver opened the backseat of his car, I slipped in first and then Xavier. He instructed the driver to drive to my parents’ house.

“Your parents are getting impatient. They have called me ten times in last thirty minutes.” He said while I stared out of the window to soak what were memories during my stay in a foreign country. I missed the colours of the beautiful city of Miami.

“The oil shipping company is doing great. I think you’re ready to step up on your role and run this company because it belongs to you.” Xavier said after a moment of silence.

“No, it’s yours, Xavier. I am not a Linwood anymore and you’re more worthy than me to run this thriving business.” I stated the fact.

“It wasn’t easy. Arthur challenged me in the court but you were the rightful owner, so he lost it to me. Since then, he has been creating problems for me but I have learnt to deal with him and who says you aren’t a Linwood. We just have to make it official.” He said, those eyes, they forced me to remember the night when he stepped up to help me.

The mention of my ex-husband brought back the flood of both sweet and bitter memories. He was a closed chapter of my life and I only consider him my enemy now.

“Does he know that I am back?” I looked at Xavier whose eyes are already fixed on me.

“No, I kept it confidential because we have to make a blast. They deserve it.” He winked.

“I have a better plan, Xavier but we’ll discuss it later. I want to spend time with my family. I want to catch for the missed time.” I said and processed my plan. I had been thinking about it for a long time. I thought the right moment is just a week far.

“They have a son named Adam who looks exactly like that plastic doll Addison. Linda was so pissed off because deep down she thinks that her dear daughter-in-law is a slut and the child could be a bastard but Arthur loves him more than anyone. This man can also love, I saw it seeing his bond with Adam. So, we have to take every step very carefully.” Xavier told me. A pang shot through my chest. Arthur divorced me because he wanted to give his child’s mother a legal status.

“Don’t let your emotions cloud your brain, Adeline.” Xavier pulled me out of the forbidden lane where I was drawing involuntarily. He was right. I hadn’t moved on only to go back in the same dark tunnel of miseries and scheming.

Minutes later, we reached at my home. Tears brimmed in my eyes. It was a nostalgic moment for me because I always yearned to run back here and hide myself in my parents’ embrace whenever I felt at my lowest.

My old parents ran to me as soon as I climbed down from the car. They had tears in their eyes, they looked older than I last saw them in person. I hugged them tightly. My mom broke down in tears while my dad caressed my back.

“It is our happiest moment, Ade. We waited for this moment since you left.” Dad said in a hoarse voice.

“Me too, Dad and I am not going anywhere now.” I kissed his cheeks and then turned to my mother who looked more guilty and sad or happy. She always pushed me to give my marriage a chance whenever I thought of divorcing Arthur and start over my life.

“Your daughter doesn’t need a man to lean on, Mom and it wasn’t your fault. They destroyed our happiness. So, be happy because I’ll be staying with you.” I wiped her tears and hugged her again.

“I love you, my child and I feel proud to see you where your father always dreamt of seeing you.” She said wiping her tears.

“Mr. and Mrs. Greyson. I fulfilled  my promise. Your daughter is safely  back.” Xavier cleared his throat to gain our attention. I remembered that we had to tell my parents about our arrangement.

“You’re like a second son to us, Xavier. Come inside, we’ll have the lunch together. Today, after a long time I cooked, all the dishes are Adeline’s favourite.” Mom said.

I was shocked. Xavier actually fulfilled a part of our deal which was to look after my parents in my absence.

“Mom, Dad, I have to tell you something. In fact, I have been thinking about it for a month.” I said to gain the attention of the two people who had been my support system.

They stopped talking among themselves and focused their solo attention on me with curiosity.

“What is it, Ade?” Dad asked.

I shifted my attention on Xavier whose green eyes were staring me. He silently encouraged to me break the news which would shock my parents.

“I and Xavier  married a day after my divorce and we're going to make it official by marrying in a church on the same day when Arthur and Addison will be celebrating their first wedding anniversary.”