Chapter 498: l'd Do It Again
Dinner that night was another nourishing meal sent up by the hotel.
After eating, with plenty of time before their flight, Adeline stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at Aurgville's beautiful city lights.
There was so much to see and do in Aurgville, but her heart was still tangled up with unfinished business.
No wonder she'd told Harrison earlier there was nothing fun here. She just had no mood for sightseeing yet.
She told herself that once everything was settled, she wanted to come back with Harrison, just to really enjoy it together.
She heard footsteps behind her.
Soon, Harrison slipped his arms around her from behind.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
Adeline smiled. "I was just wondering that after I give you your lucky charm, where will you hang it?”
"Of course I'll keep it with me," Harrison said without hesitation.
She'd worked so hard, climbing all that way to get it for him.
He'd treasure it, probably keeping it somewhere everyone could see.
"And I got one for my dad, my mom, Alberto, Connie, and Joyce, too," Adeline continued.
"I can give it to Joyce in person, but I'll have to send the rest to Yewhaina."
"Oh, so I'm not the only special one," Harrison teased.
Adeline shot him a playful look. "Keep dreaming."
Even though he understood she'd want her family and friends protected too, he couldn't help but feel a little jealous.
So he turned her face and gave her a fierce kiss, biting her lip just a little.
"Ouch!" Adeline yelped, shoving him away.
"Harrison, are you part dog or something?"
Harrison grinned, clearly satisfied by the little mark he'd left.
Of course, he'd never really hurt her.
He just couldn't help teasing. "If you can bite me, I'll bite back."
She tried to nip him in return, but Harrison kept dodging, until finally she pouted, "What, you don't want me to kiss you?"
With those words, Harrison caved.
He leaned in, obediently, "Alright, go ahead."
Adeline wrapped her arms around his neck and, standing on tiptoe, pressed her lips to his.
Then she gave him a much harder bite.
Harrison winced in pain.
She definitely bit harder than he had.
"Well?" Adeline huffed, satisfied. "Still want to bite me again?"
Harrison held her tighter, "Alright, I was wrong."
He thought, "Wrong, but I'll still do it again."
The elevator doors opened in the lobby, and the moment Adeline and Harrison stepped out, she spotted Russell waiting.
He looked tired and haggard, with stubble on his jaw and red lines in his eyes. He clearly hadn't slept.
When he saw them emerge, hand-in-hand, his gaze turned bleak for a moment before he walked over.
Before Adeline could say a word, Harrison stepped in front of her, blocking Russell's way, making it clear he had no intention of letting Russell get close to her.
The two men locked eyes for a long, silent moment.
Then Russell spoke first. "Looks like you've won again, Harrison."
Harrison's tone was cold. "There's
nothing to win or lose, Russell. The only thing ! feel from all this is how ridiculous you are."
Russell couldn't argue. He felt ridiculous, too.
Ever since Tessa first came to him, it was like he'd lost his mind.
He'd actually believed he could use Victoria to tempt Harrison.
After all, so many men were crazy about Victoria.
But the moment he saw Harrison and Adeline walk out of the elevator holding hands, he realized, all at once, just how terribly wrong he'd been.
He'd gotten it so, so wrong.
Harrison could never be interested in Victoria.
And Adeline had never truly fought with him.
Russell couldn't help but envy the love and trust between them.
But as for him, after everything he'd
done, after stooping so low, all he could do now was keep enduring this loneliness.
"I'm sorry," Russell said.
The apology was for Adeline.
But it was for Harrison. too.
But it was for Harrison, too.
"Russell, this is the last time," Harrison said.
"If it weren't for that day you helped me, I'd never let you off this easy."
Russell knew exactly what he meant.
It was the day he'd helped get Adeline out of Benjamin's house when everything had been total chaos.
He'd done his part, helped just enough to let Harrison get Adeline out quickly and safely to the hospital.
If Harrison didn't still remember that, this time, there would be no mercy.
Honestly, Russell's actions now seemed laughable. He hadn't come close to breaking Harrison and Adeline apart.
But Harrison still couldn't stand it.
To him, Russell and Jasmine were no different, except Russell had earned that one favor.
That was the only reason Harrison could let him go this once.
But if it ever happened again, Harrison wouldn't show mercy.
Russell stood silent for a moment, then managed a bitter, self-mocking smile.
"I won't bother you again," he said quietly.
After everything that had happened, he finally understood there was nothing he could ever do to come between Harrison and Adeline.
No one could.
Harrison didn't say another word and just took Adeline's hand and led her away.
Russell almost looked back for one last glimpse of her.
But in the end, he didn't.
What good would it do, anyway?
It would only make the ache inside worse.
On the plane, a flight attendant brought Adeline a glass of fresh juice.
She sipped at it quietly.
When she set the glass down, Harrison closed his book, wrapped both arms around her waist, and effortlessly lifted her onto his lap.
"You thinking about Russell?" Harrison teased, giving her cheek a gentle squeeze, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Adeline didn't deny it. She held up her fingers to show just a tiny bit.
"I did, for just a moment."
It wasn't for any reason in particular. She was just thinking how different Russell was now, compared to the gentle, elegant man he used to be.
But considering the environment he grew up in, with a father like Rogelio and a stepmother like Jasmine, it made sense he lacked love.
Maybe Russell had been repressed for far too long, and now he was desperate to let it all out.
Adeline had never felt anything romantic toward him, but she did feel a bit sorry for him.
"Don't think about him anymore," Harrison said.
Adeline smiled, bumping her forehead against his. "Alright, if you say so, I won't."
Honestly, if Harrison were always thinking about some woman who liked him, She'd be upset too.
Harrison was satisfied with her obedience. He cradled the back of her head in his hand and kissed her deeply.
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