Chapter 18: Fear, Anger, and Possession
"Where are you?"
Adrian's voice was cold.
Dangerously calm.
Lina's fingers trembled as she held the phone.
"I… I'm near the supermarket… Ethan is here…"
Adrian's eyes darkened instantly.
"I'm coming."
He hung up immediately.
His expression turned frighteningly cold.
Mrs. Blake noticed his face as he rushed downstairs.
"What happened?"
"Lina."
His voice was tight.
"Someone tried to kidnap her."
Mrs. Blake gasped.
"What?!"
Adrian didn't respond.
He grabbed his car keys and left immediately.
His mind was racing.
Anger.
Fear.
Something dark filled his chest.
Someone dared to hurt Lina.
Someone dared to touch her.
His grip tightened on the steering wheel.
He drove faster.
Faster.
He didn't even realize how fast his heart was beating.
All he could think about—
Was Lina.
—
Meanwhile…
Lina stood beside Ethan.
Her hands still trembled.
Her heart hadn't calmed yet.
Ethan noticed.
"Sit down."
She nodded quietly.
They sat on a nearby bench.
"You're shaking," Ethan said softly.
"I… I was scared."
Ethan frowned.
"This wasn't random."
Lina looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"They called your name."
Lina froze.
She remembered.
Yes.
They knew her.
Her heart sank.
"Someone… sent them?"
Ethan nodded slowly.
"Maybe."
Lina felt uneasy.
Who would do that?
Why?
Just then—
A black car stopped nearby.
Adrian stepped out.
His eyes searched immediately.
Then he saw her.
His chest tightened.
Lina looked small.
Fragile.
Scared.
And standing beside Ethan.
Adrian walked toward them quickly.
"Lina."
She looked up.
"Adrian…"
She stood immediately.
He stopped in front of her.
His eyes scanned her.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head.
"No…"
Adrian suddenly pulled her into his arms.
Lina froze.
Her eyes widened.
He was holding her tightly.
Too tightly.
"I was worried."
His voice was low.
Rough.
Lina's heart pounded.
She slowly relaxed.
"I'm okay."
Ethan watched quietly.
His expression darkened slightly.
Adrian finally released her.
But he kept one hand on her shoulder.
"Tell me everything."
Lina explained what happened.
Adrian listened silently.
His face grew darker with every word.
"They grabbed you?"
"Yes."
His jaw tightened.
His eyes turned cold.
Ethan spoke.
"This wasn't random."
Adrian looked at him.
"I know."
Their eyes met.
Tension filled the air.
Adrian turned to Lina.
"Let's go home."
She nodded.
Ethan hesitated.
"I'll follow behind."
Adrian didn't respond.
He opened the car door for Lina.
She got in quietly.
Adrian sat in the driver's seat.
His expression remained cold.
Lina looked at him.
"You're angry…"
He didn't deny it.
"Yes."
She hesitated.
"I'm okay…"
Adrian tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"They touched you."
His voice was low.
Dangerous.
Lina froze.
She had never seen him like this.
His anger wasn't loud.
But it was terrifying.
"I'll find out who did this."
Her heart skipped.
"Adrian…"
But he didn't respond.
Because in his mind—
He was already planning.
—
Back at the house…
Mrs. Blake rushed to the door.
"Lina!"
"I'm okay."
Mrs. Blake hugged her gently.
"Thank goodness."
Adrian stood silently.
His eyes were still cold.
Mrs. Blake noticed.
She knew.
Someone had made a big mistake.
—
Later…
Lina sat in the living room.
She still felt uneasy.
Adrian returned after making a call.
He sat beside her.
"Drink this."
He handed her warm tea.
She took it quietly.
"Thank you."
They sat silently.
Then—
Lina spoke softly.
"Are you really going to investigate?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Adrian looked at her.
His eyes softened slightly.
"Because you're my wife."
Her heart skipped.
"And…"
He paused.
His voice lowered.
"I don't want anything to happen to you."
Her chest warmed.
She nodded softly.
"Okay."
—
That evening…
Sophia received a call.
Her lips curved slightly.
"Did it work?"
"She got scared."
Sophia smiled.
"Good."
"But someone interfered."
Sophia frowned.
"Who?"
"Ethan."
Her expression darkened.
"I see."
She hung up.
Her eyes turned cold.
So Ethan interfered.
That was annoying.
But it didn't matter.
This was only the beginning.
She would try again.
And next time—
She wouldn't fail.
—
Night…
Lina felt restless.
She couldn't sleep.
The kidnapping attempt kept replaying in her mind.
She stepped outside her room.
The hallway was quiet.
She noticed light in Adrian's room.
She hesitated.
Then knocked softly.
"Come in."
She entered.
Adrian was sitting at his desk.
"You're not sleeping?"
She shook her head.
"I can't."
He stood up.
"Come here."
She walked closer.
"You're scared."
She nodded slightly.
Adrian looked at her quietly.
Then—
He gently held her hand.
"Stay here tonight."
Her heart skipped.
"With you?"
"Yes."
She hesitated.
But then nodded.
"Okay."
They lay down quietly.
Lina felt nervous.
But when Adrian pulled her closer—
Her fear slowly faded.
His arms felt warm.
Safe.
She relaxed slowly.
Adrian looked down at her.
His grip tightened slightly.
Someone tried to take her away.
The thought made his chest tighten again.
His voice lowered.
"Don't go anywhere alone again."
She nodded softly.
"I won't."
Lina slowly fell asleep.
Her breathing became calm.
Adrian stayed awake.
Watching her.
Protecting her.
His hand rested on her back.
Gentle.
Possessive.
Because something inside him had changed.
He wasn't just protecting her anymore.
He was afraid.
Afraid of losing her.
And Adrian Blake…
Was slowly becoming more dangerous—
For anyone who dared to hurt Lina.