Countdown to "I Do" novel Chapter 11

**Midnight Roads Unseen by George Orwell**
**Chapter 11**

The tension radiating from Adrian was palpable, an undercurrent that seemed to thrum in the air around him. Even as he ambled alongside Ella, his mind was a whirlwind of distractions, thoughts swirling chaotically like leaves caught in a gust of wind.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, he turned to Ella, his expression tinged with regret. “Ella, I can’t stay with you right now. I’ve been away for several days, and the mountain of work awaiting me is daunting. I really need to head back and tackle it.”

Ella shrugged, her demeanor casual. “Okay. But remember, Adrian, even if work is piling up, don’t push yourself too hard. Make sure you take some time to rest.”

Her words dripped with a dismissive air, as if she were merely reciting a line she often delivered. Adrian, however, barely registered her tone; he had grown accustomed to this aspect of her personality.

Ella had a way of being sweet and charming only when she was in need of something from him. When there was nothing in it for her, she would effortlessly cast him aside, as if he were nothing more than an afterthought.

This trait of hers irked him to no end, yet he found himself unable to sever the ties that bound them. What choice did he have but to accept her as she was?

After escorting Ella back to her home, Adrian made his way to his villa. The moment he crossed the threshold, an unsettling sensation washed over him, a frown creasing his brow.

Something felt amiss. It was as if a multitude of items had vanished from the villa, yet the atmosphere remained eerily unchanged.

“Where’s Isabella?” he muttered under his breath, a chill creeping into his voice. “Hasn’t she returned yet? How long is this going to drag on?”

His brow knitted in confusion and irritation as he addressed the butler and the other household staff. They exchanged worried glances, their expressions a mix of concern and hesitation. Finally, with a deep, resigned sigh, the butler mustered the courage to respond.

“Sir, Isabella… she packed her belongings and left three days ago. She didn’t leave anything behind. You never inquired about her whereabouts, so we all assumed you were aware!”

The butler hesitated, then continued, “Also, it seems Isabella has married Jared. It’s all over the internet now. Did you two truly break up? Or is this just a temporary spat? Should I instruct your assistant to take down these stories?”

As the butler presented a photo from the news, Adrian felt as though he had been struck by a bolt of lightning. The ringing in his ears drowned out all other sounds, leaving him in a stunned silence.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally managed to speak, his voice trembling with disbelief. “Did Isabella really leave? Did she truly marry him? Does she genuinely no longer want me?”

The more Adrian contemplated the situation, the more his concern for Isabella grew. After a lengthy pause, he dialed a number he hadn’t called in what felt like a lifetime.

“Jared, it’s Adrian,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “Isabella is mine. She only agreed to marry you out of spite. You’d better not bully her or lay a finger on her.”

“She’s not a pawn in your game against me. You’d better send her back to me immediately, or I swear I’ll make you regret it!”

His patience was fraying, and he tapped his fingers on the desk, a clear sign of his simmering frustration.

On the other end of the line, Jared scoffed, his tone dripping with arrogance. “Adrian, Isabella is my legal wife now. We’ve done everything a married couple should—and shouldn’t do. You want me to send her back? Are you living in a fantasy?”

The emphasis he placed on the words “legal wife” sent a chill down Adrian’s spine, his instincts screaming at him to act.

He clenched his fists tightly, the urge to confront Jared physically nearly overwhelming him. If only the phone hadn’t been the barrier between them, he would have relished the opportunity to unleash his fury.