He Brought His Assistant On Our Honeymoon And Gave Me A Separate Room Chapter 03

I’d drawn over a thousand necklace designs.

This necklace was based on my first independent design—the one Adrian had promised to make by hand. He’d put it off for five years. Now it was finally in front of me.

My eyes burned. Without thinking, I reached out to touch it.

“I spent a month on this honeymoon surprise. Not bad, right?”

For once, his voice was gentle.

“Want to try it on?”

I nodded. He carefully lifted one end of the necklace, but his phone rang.

Lily sounded tearful on the other end. I couldn’t make out what she was saying. He held the phone in one hand, his voice steady and reassuring.

“Don’t panic. I’ll figure something out.”

He kept his other hand firmly on the necklace box. I drew my fingers back, unease stirring inside me.

When the call ended, he closed the box. His tone left no room for argument.

“Lily needs to borrow this for an emergency. I’ll make it up to you next time.”

Next time. I’d waited five years, and he was still asking me to wait.

“How long will it be this time?”

My voice shook as I stared at him. He looked momentarily conflicted.

Lily hurried back, her voice sweet.

“Thank you, Adrian. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She took the necklace. I reached to stop her, but Adrian caught my arm and forced it down. His eyes darkened.

“Don’t make a fuss. Lily has something important to handle.”

Lily chimed in as though it were already settled.

“There was a last-minute problem with the gift for the client. You wouldn’t wear a necklace this fancy around the house, Mrs. Mercer. Just let me borrow it.”

Adrian didn’t contradict her. He turned to me instead, as though I had no right to object.

“It’s just a necklace. Why can’t you be as flexible as Lily?”

I understood then. My hopes, my work—none of it mattered as much to him as Lily did. Neither did I.

I stood and walked away without another word. Adrian followed me out.

“We’re on our honeymoon. We’re supposed to be enjoying ourselves. Why are you always sulking?”

“I’m not.”

I kept walking. He suddenly scooped me into his arms, his voice petulant.

“Fine. No work today. I’ll spend the day with you. Happy?”

I struggled, but he ignored me. He didn’t put me down until we reached the snorkeling area.

“Didn’t you want to learn to snorkel? Lily checked—this spot’s quiet. I’ll teach you now. How about it?”

Under his intent gaze, I couldn’t help remembering the day he’d proposed. He’d dressed as a merman and held up a ring, and everyone at the aquarium had cheered for us.

I’d begged him to teach me then. He’d said he would when he had time. Now he had time, and I didn’t want to learn anymore.

“Forget it.”

I turned to leave, but he pulled me into the water.

“Scared? Snorkeling’s easy. You’ve got me.”

He pushed me onto a swim ring.

“Stay still. I’ll get a mask and snorkel.”

I clung to the ring in panic. By the time I got my bearings, he’d already walked away.

“Adrian!”

“I’ll be back in a minute. Don’t be scared.”

He didn’t turn around, just raised a hand and gave me the OK sign.

No one else was in the water. I gripped the ring as I floated, then heard a faint hiss. I began to sink lower in the water.

The ring was leaking!

I struggled and called for help, but the harder I fought, the faster I sank.

Through the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows, I could see Adrian standing with Lily. They were talking about something.

I waved frantically toward them, choking on mouthful after mouthful of seawater. My cries for help grew weaker.