- Look at me.
A strong finger lifted her chin.
Then the finger slid lower and gently stroked his cheek.
It was a cautious touch, as if on something fragile, strangely inappropriate for the given situation. Just like the good old days.
It was as if there was a glitch on the screen.
Gentle touch in the context of abduction.
However, no matter how gentle the man standing in front of her seemed, his eyes remained cold, and the fact that she was kidnapped and locked in some unknown bedroom did not change anything.
‘Why does his eyes look like that? What does he look at as a happy groom? ‘
Even if she couldn't imagine this man hurting her.
This is something that can become reality at any moment.
- Don't get distracted.
The fingertips that were touching her cheek slid and touched Adaline's earlobe. He pressed a little harder on the delicate skin, Adalyn barely restrained a cry and stared at him.
- Don't touch me.
“You didn’t even look at me properly.”
- How can I? You are the one who kidnapped me.
“You’re still as lively as always.”
Ignoring the accusations, Shane carefreely stroked her earlobe. Adaline bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from reacting to the touch.
It would be better if he hurt her.
“You never looked at me when we were engaged.”
-...Shane, stop it. This is not funny at all. You're not like that. You're not one of those people who says you can't escape anywhere. If you're upset, I'll listen, so...
- Oh, you think you know everything?
Shane finally removed his hand from her earlobe.
Adaline glanced at him as he stood up from where he sat in front of her. He was dressed casually - in a comfortable shirt.
‘Judging by his clothes... At least it looks like a villa where he stays for a few days, if not like his own home. Perhaps this is a place where he often goes.'
Thanks to his strong, toned arms and broad shoulders, his muscular body looked quite powerful, but he did not seem to have any weapons.
‘Will I be able to escape? ‘
Adaline glanced at the exit behind Shane. The door was tightly closed. Besides, she wasn't sure she could push Shane away and run away.
As if she felt Adaline nervously biting her lips, Shane's laughter echoed in her temples. Adaline felt a lump in her throat as she looked at him.
Is he mocking her now? This 'Shane Blanchard'.
The sweet "hero" who was endlessly affectionate, who begged her to tell him if he did something wrong, even if she pushed him away?
Shane said.
“Adaline, you have no idea who I am.”
- Why don’t I know what you are like?
She knew his name, his status, his face and his personality.
They were engaged and close since childhood.
Even if that wasn't the case, Adaline knew Shane as a 'character'.
She knew about him even before he was born. Adaline knows everything - from his experiences, past and all the way to the future, which she is not supposed to know about.
But even if he declares that she doesn’t know him, then no one in the world can say that they truly know him.
-You've always been like this. You act like you know everything about me without even seeing me or asking about me.
-...
“Of course, there were times when it made me happy.
Shane moved closer as if he was about to kiss her. Adalyn couldn't help herself and screamed furiously.
- Don't do this!
-...
- You're married, don't do this!
-...Well, no one will blame me.
- Don't act like trash, Shane Blanchard. It doesn't suit you.
-Are you blaming me? Calling me by my full name is like you're scolding a child?
Shane grinned mockingly.
“Why say that if it was you who encouraged my infidelities throughout the entire period of our engagement?”
- This is...
Adaline was puzzled by this blatant mockery. She could not understand the indignation and resentment that came through in the laughter.
The main character, Shane, gained popularity due to his unwavering devotion to the main character, Genevieve.
As befits a typical protagonist, he was endlessly in love with the main character, ignoring any temptations from other beauties.
So naturally, it would be better for him to reassure her that there was nothing to worry about. He wanted to calm her down because he was a good person.
“It was the usual encouragement for you to honestly accept your true love.” And is engagement the same as marriage?
“You still know how to choose words.”
Shane chuckled and kissed Adaline's forehead.
This time Adaline was unable to avoid the kiss, as Shane held her chin tightly, not allowing her to escape. Feeling the touch of his lips on her forehead, Adaline wanted to scream.
“I’m glad you haven’t changed at all, Adaline.”
His lips touched her eyelids and then disappeared. Adaline blinked coldly.
“You seem like a completely different person.”
- Really? Surprisingly, I remained the same. If I seem different to you now, it means you have finally seen me for real. I'm glad, Adaline.
-...
Shane looked at her as if she were endlessly charming. He did not pay attention to her piercing gaze, wanting to kill.
His gaze did not seem normal at all.
‘Who is this man? ‘
Shane was like a stranger she had never seen in her life. He was not the hero of the novel, he was not a childhood friend or ex-fiancé. She did not know this man at all.