The Nightingale's Heir Returns

Adrian Demands

“Here is a special pass card. Show it to the front desk and you’ll be directed to Ms. Vanessa’s office.” The security guard at the entrance stuttered as he handed him the card.

Shortly after talking with Vanessa he arrived at Lawson's company. 

This was the second time he was coming here but this time the security guard greeted him with respect while bowing his head slightly. 

Staff members walked past him without glancing at him much and when he got to the front desk he showed them the special pass card he had been given by the security and they waved him through. 

He stepped out of the elevator and her office was in sight with her name tag, CEO office. He walked straight towards it and pushed the door open. 

He first heard a soft Laughter but when the doors flew open. There was Vanessa sitting on Marcus's lap. 

They were both on the couch engrossed with chattering and laughing that they didn't even notice him. 

Their faces were so close like they were about to kiss Marcus just held her chin lightly with his index finger while she looked at him, her eyes filled with a warm soulful love. Vanessa has never looked at him that way. 

Adrian felt his heart flutter slowly. Although he had come to terms with her betrayal, this was someone he had spent years with. 

He slid his hands into his pockets and cleared his throat, interrupting them. Suddenly she looked up and her expression changed.

Her body jolted slightly and she quickly stood up from Marcus's laps and adjusted her clothes. 

“Y-you’re here,” she said quickly, her face flustered. 

“Before you came Marcus and I were just having a little celebration for the success of our partnership," She tried to be very convincing.

“On his laps?” Adrian lips formed a comical smirk. 

Vanessa's smile tightened. “Uh…we have become close but it's all business related. You should thank Marcus for giving us the opportunity he brought to our company.” She ended it with a light giggle. 

“Really… I was just…he was just here for work matters, nothing else? I feel I interrupted something so I should leave you both to it.” He snorted and turned around, walking away. 

But Vanessa grabbed his hands and held him back. 

“You misunderstood,” she said immediately. “You always misunderstand things between us.”

Misunderstood? That word pissed him off. 

Like she was trying to reduce everything to his perception being wrong.

Adrian tilted his head slightly.

“Misunderstood?” he repeated as he pulled his hand away from Vanessa's hold. 

His voice lowered. “He kissed you right in front of me Vanessa.” 

“That was nothing!” she snapped. 

“You are being insecure about my past with him. We already broke up. You knew that! We're just business partners and about what you just saw we were just catching up.” She yelled at him with so much rage in her voice. 

Marcus sighed softly beside her. He stood up and walked towards them. The bruises from the beating he got from Adrian are very much visible. 

“As I said,” he added gently, “I don’t want to cause trouble between you two. If I should leave—”

“Stay,” she said quickly, “He's the one to apologize.”

Then she turned back to Adrian. “You got insecure and hit him,” she pointed at Marcus. “Now you’re acting like you’re the victim? You should apologize. That’s what normal people do.”

Adrian let out a hollow laugh. “If you're expecting an apology you won't get any from me.”

“Adrian, don't push me.” Vanessa warned but Adrian just sneered. 

“Say whatever you want but you aren't getting any apology and I don't want to talk about this matter again. I see no point even talking about this matter again.” He replied.

“You’re just a house husband,” she said suddenly, voice rising. “Don’t make this difficult. I already told you he’s important for my company. I brought him in for a reason. Do you even understand what he represents?”

Adrian smiled. She had finally said what she thought of him to his face. 

This was what she thought of him after she had personally asked him to become a house husband to satisfy her own needs.

“That’s what this is,” he said softly.

Her brows furrowed.“What?” 

He stepped closer letting out a chilling laugh. 

“You finally said it,” he continued. “You don’t look at me as your husband.”

She froze and her face flashed with realization. 

“You look at me as something you can tolerate.” He continued. 

Her expression flickered. 

Her tone softened to something very manipulative. “That’s not true. I care about you so deeply I just…my career is important, you should understand that as my husband and support me.” 

Adrian looked at her amused. 

“And as my wife,” he said, eyes steady, “when have you ever cared about anything I needed?”

Her mouth opened and then closed again.

For a few seconds there was silence and then she forced her voice out again. 

“Are you seriously doing this right now? Are you trying to intentionally make this difficult?” She paused for an answer but Adrian didn't reply. 

“How do I not care about you?” She demanded. 

“You know. I told you this is not what I am here for but you haven't bothered to ask if it was and instead you're only interested in forcing an apology out of me.” Adrian pointed out. 

“Is that how you care about me?” He pointed out.

She went quiet for a moment, then suppressed her temper. “Alright, what… Do you want to?” she asked slowly.

Adrian took out a folder from the bag he was holding “I want you to sign an assignment."

Relief hit her instantly and she even relaxed slightly, exchanging a quick glance with Marcus. 

Marcus' face gave a faint smile.

“Oh I see?” he said softly. “Vanessa, he probably just wants a share of the assets." 

Vanessa's expression lit up in realization and she let out a light laughter. “Then this was probably just a misunderstanding then.” 

Marcus stepped forward. “I have Vanessa's best interest at heart so I can do that for you." 

She nodded quickly.

“Fine,” she said calmly. “If that’s what you want, I’ll sign it. But after this, you stop targeting him. He doesn’t owe you anything.”

She turned to Marcus. “After this is settled Marcus you should also try to tolerate my husband.” 

“Bring it.” She turned to Adrian and urged him. She just wanted to get this done and escape this awkward moment. 

Adrian pulled out a paper from the folder and handed it to Vanessa. 

Her gaze fell on the paper. She read the heading and her jaw dropped. “A divorce?” 

“Yes Adrian,” replied coldly. “I'm done.” 

Her voice broke. “…What?”

But he picked a pen from the table and handed it to her. “Sign them now and accompany me to the City hall in a week to finalize the divorce.” 

Her eyes searched his face as if waiting for him to correct himself. She was expecting him to laugh and take it back as just a joke. 

But he didn’t. He just stood there calmly and with a blank expression on his face. 

She realized that he was already gone, emotionally and completely. That realization landed hard in her chest. 

She looked at him with disbelief. 

“Are you really divorcing me?” She asked rooted in place, looking at him with bloodshot eyes. 

She never believed anyone would really dumb her.