The Nightingale's Heir Returns

Breaking point

The next morning, a while after the break of dawn, Adrian was in the living room when he heard the door open with a soft click. 

Adrian turned and saw Vanessa walking in with Marcus by her side, her arm loosely draped around his neck as they both helped each other to walk. They both reeked of alcohol. 

Vannessa's dress was creased and wrinkled beyond recognition, with threads hanging from it as if it had been forced open. 

Marcus' shirt was the same. It was wrinkled and missing a few buttons. He made eye contact with Marcus and he could smell Vanessa's perfume all over him. 

Adrian only glanced at them and looked away. Vanessa was surprised that Adrian didn’t welcome her. It felt strange, but she suddenly understood.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry. Marcus came with me because we still had some business to handle. We will go upstairs, don't disturb us, we will be very busy.”

He had already come to terms with her betrayal but bringing him home? 

Vanessa shrugged her coat off her shoulders. “Adrian,” she said casually, already moving past him, “come take these.” She held her coat out behind her without looking.

She expected him to be there like he always did when she got back home, but today Adrian didn’t move. 

Her brows knitted slightly as she turned back. “Adrian?”

Her gaze landed on him. He was still seated with no sign of moving.

“What are you doing?” She asked. “Take the coats.”

Adrian's eyes moved over her, then to Marcus and back to her.

“Why should I?” he asked quietly. 

Vanessa blinked as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. “What?” She turned back to face him. “Take this, Adrian.” She threw it at him, but he just let it fall on the ground.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. 

“You can as well hang it yourself. I’m not your servant, Vanessa." He shook his head.

Vanessa couldn’t believe Adrian had said those words to her. “What did you—” She lurched forward but suddenly vomited a sour mix of alcohol and half-digested food across the floor. 

The room fell into a brief, ugly silence.

Marcus casually tossed his coat onto a chair and held her steady. 

“Damn,” he said, wrinkling his nose before glancing at Adrian with a lazy smile. “Hey, what was the name again? Adrian, right?”

Adrian said nothing.

Marcus pointed at the puddle of mess on the floor. “Clean that up.”

Marcus smirked, then added in a smooth voice, “Come on, man. Be useful.”

Vanessa frowned. “Marcus! Get a mop and start cleaning!” 

Adrian slowly turned his head toward her. 

“Since your gentleman is already here, he should help you clean that,” Adrian replied flatly, his eyes drifting back to the television.

Vanessa’s face burned red.

“Adrian, what the hell has gotten into you?” she snapped. “Marcus spoke politely with you, and this is how you act?”

“Look man, don't be a jerk,” Marcus added as he led her away from the puke. 

He picked a piece of cloth and wiped Vanessa's lips so intimately. 

“Thank you, Marcus. You have done enough.” She looked at Marcus warmly. 

Then she turned to Adrian with a frown on her face. “I’ll overlook this because Marcus is here. Clean this place up immediately and prepare breakfast. Something light for both of us. We’ll be going upstairs.” She stepped closer and lowered her voice.

Adrian scoffed, “No.” He replied. 

Vanessa, who had already started walking away, stopped mid-step.

She turned sharply. “No?” she repeated, disbelief creeping into her voice. “What do you mean, no?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Adrian asked, looking at her like she was absurd. “I’m not doing it.”

“Fine, I’ll do it.” Marcus said, pulling his sleeves up. 

“No Marcus. I'll do it myself.” Vanessa broke into tears and began sobbing. “He doesn't even care about me. I'll do it myself.” Tears streamed her face. 

“Don't worry about him. I said I'll do it.” Marcus rushed to her side and hugged her.

“Marcus, you're the only one who ever treated me well.” She hugged him tightly, pressing her head gently on his chest. 

Marcus looked forward with a smug smile.

“I understand you’re insecure but everything here exists because of Vanessa’s hard work, yet you’re being ungrateful. If anything you should be thanking her. Not throwing a tantrum.” Marcus stared down at him like trash. 

Adrian’s fists tightened and his jaw clenched. “Don't push me too far, now get out.” 

“I never knew you were this ungrateful, Adrian! After everything I have done for you. Even when Marcus decided to help me do it, you still want him out?” She continued to sob and her voice cracked. 

Adrian just watched her play the victim card while Marcus pulled her into his arms. “I'll always be here for you.” He hugged her so intimately. “Marcus…” Her face reddened. 

“It’s fine. I'm here.” He cannot do anything about it. 

Something caught Adrian’s attention.

Marcus was wearing a pair of gold earrings. Just a week ago, Adrian had given Vanessa a pair she’d once mentioned she liked. She had been so happy when he gave them to her, but a few days later, there was no trace of them.

When he asked about it, she said she had lost them. But there was no mistake—the earrings in Marcus’s ears were the same, down to the design and carvings. 

It was a limited edition, which meant there was only one explanation. Vanessa had given them to him.

He closed his eyes, trying to control the rage burning in his chest. He had been pushed to the edge. 

At this moment, Marcus's shirt opened slightly and Adrian saw Vanessa's lipstick imprint on his lower belly. It was clear what they had done before he brought her back home. 

Suddenly, something snapped in him and his feet moved towards Marcus. Fast. His hands moved in sync and his fist slammed into Marcus’s face. 

Vanessa gasped. “Adrian!”

“How dare you?” Marcus asked as he staggered back, crashing into a table in shock as blood burst from his nose. He didn’t expect him to continue but the rage from three years of enduring everything came out at once. He threw punch after punch.  

“Adrian, stop! Stop that right now.” Vanessa shouted at him, but Adrian didn’t hold back. He wanted to beat the smug smile off his face.

Marcus tried to block, but Adrian didn’t give him the chance. He pinned him to the floor and beat him bloody. 

By the time it ended, Marcus was on the floor, dazed, blood staining his shirt. 

Vanessa stood frozen, her face pale. Like she was seeing him for the first time.

Adrian stood over him, chest rising slowly. Then he turned and walked away. He looked at her as he walked away. But this time, when he looked at her, there was no ounce of feeling left. 

He reached into his pockets and took out the small box that contained the Lawson's family keepsake. “Here.” He threw it at her and walked out. 

“Adrian! Have you lost your mind? Come back here and apologize!” She shouted at him. 

“Do you even know who you just laid your hands on? Do you have any idea who Marcus is?” She yelled but he just slammed the door behind her. 

“Marcus! I’m really sorry!” Vanessa rushed forward, dropping to her knees beside him. Immediately, Adrian left.

“That good-for-nothing…I’ll make sure I deal with him…” Marcus muttered, wincing in pain as he touched his face.

“Are you okay?” She helped him up by holding him. “I’m really sorry…” She touched his face gently. 

Vanessa’s expression darkened. “What’s gotten into him?” she snapped. “He’s completely lost his mind!”

She felt something was off. She had always had him under her control, but for the first time, Adrian felt different. 

The way he looked at her with no care in the world made her wonder what went wrong. He needed her to survive and hadn’t dared to be disobedient all these years, so why now?

Outside, Adrian stood still, his breathing slowly evening out. He stared at the clouds. The scenery calmed him down, but at the same time, memories of the last three years crashed into his mind. 

He remembered when he first met Vanessa and how he had believed he had found his life partner. He was willing to do anything for her, not because he was a fool, but because he loved her. But now he realized who she really was.

Adrian walked out, hoping the air outside would cool the rage inside his chest. Suddenly a black luxury car pulled up near the house. Behind it were two black cars. 

The doors flew open and some men in black suits stepped out. They went around the car and opened the door. A lady stepped with quiet authority, holding a Hermes bag and dressed in a black office suit. 

She took off her dark glasses and Adrian recognized her immediately. Emilia Caldwell. CEO of Orion Crown Holdings, one of his family's major companies. 

Emilia Caldwell walked towards him, swinging her waist. She stopped in front of

him and looked up at him politely. 

“Young Master. We've been expecting you."