Page 49 of False Heir

Pain flickered across his features, and he cupped my face, brushing away the tears with his thumbs. “What’s wrong, Ade? What do I need to do?”

“Actions, Tristan. I need actions that match these words,” I replied, trying to steady my voice. “Promises aren’t shields. Kisses don’t build futures. I can feel your love, but we need more than that—we need certainty, safety for our children.”

He nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. “Anything, Adriana. Tell me what you need.”

Taking a deep breath, I steadied my trembling hands by placing them on my growing bump. “I want legal protection for the twins,” I said firmly. “We need to put things in place because...because I don’t think you’ll marry me before they’re born.”

“Adriana—“ Tristan started, but I shook my head, cutting him off.

“Please, just...let’s take care of this first. Then we’ll figure out the rest.” My voice broke as the weight of our situation bore down on me, my resolve mingling with fear and love in equal measure.

As he pulled me close, wrapping his strong arms around me, I let myself sink into his embrace, knowing that despite the uncertainty of our future, this moment of solace was something worth fighting for.

Until I saw Kieran arrive.

Chapter Nineteen: Adriana

I pulled away from Tristan, my heart beating hard in my chest. I knew I needed to break up with him…but I had no idea how.

“You’re angry,” he said.

“Yes, well, this is fucking insane,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest.

The cold Boston air nipped at my skin, but it was nothing compared to the ice in Tristan’s voice. “You think I wanted this chaos?” he spat, arms crossed as if bracing against my words rather than the chill.

“Chaos seems to be your signature move, Tristan.” My tone matched his, each word sharp enough to cut through the tension hanging between us. Our relationship had been a battleground lately, and now, with twins on the way, we were both raw nerves and frayed edges.

“Adriana, let’s just—“

“Save it,” I cut him off, stepping back. The distance felt like a lifeline, even as the space between us crackled with unsaid fears about our future and these unborn lives caught in the crossfire.

Footsteps approached, and then there was Kieran, Tristan’s brother’s presence filling the sidewalk. He stopped, his gaze taking in the scene — two people who should have been preparing for a life together now at an impasse.

“Everything alright here?” His voice was steady despite the storm swirling around us.

I caught him trying to slip away, a silent shadow against the morning light. But when our eyes met, something unspoken passed between us. A flicker of understanding? Maybe pity? I couldn’t tell, and it gnawed at me.

“Kieran,” I acknowledged with a nod, not missing the way Tristan tensed further at his brother’s name.

“Ade.” Kieran’s reply was curt, his eyes never leaving mine as if he was trying to decipher the turmoil he’d walked into.

Tristan shifted beside me, a silent signal that he wanted no witnesses to our unraveling. But I stood firm on the sidewalk outside our hideaway townhouse, refusing to let this moment pass without consequence.

“Tristan doesn’t want to marry me,” I blurted out, the words laced with a bitterness that surprised even me. “And now, as you know, I’m pregnant. With twins.” My voice cracked, but I powered through. “Did you know? Was this part of his plan to baby trap me?”

Kieran’s eyes widened slightly, the only break in his otherwise impassive facade. He glanced at Tristan, who was staring at me, his face a mask of concealed emotions.

“I didn’t—“ Kieran started, but couldn’t seem to find the right words.

“Adriana, that’s not fair and you know it,” Tristan interjected, trying to reach for me, but I stepped back, out of his grasp.

“Oh, it isn’t?” I challenged, my heart pounding fiercely against my ribs.

Kieran cleared his throat. “Listen, why don’t we just–”

“Shut the fuck up, Kieran,” Tristan snapped, turning to his brother, whose presence seemed to amplify the tension between us.

“Actually, I don’t even know if Tristan wanted children,” Kieran said quietly, but his words hit like a hammer, making me feel worse, more isolated.

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