Page 75 of His By Contract

The words settled deep in her bones as Adrian shifted, pulling her closer against his chest. His arms wrapped around her waist, solid and secure, a physical reminder that she wasn’t going anywhere. Georgia’s body melted into his embrace, too exhausted to fight the comfort his touch provided.

His fingers traced idle patterns on her skin, each stroke marking her as his. The quiet wrapped around them like a cocoon, broken only by their gradually steadying breaths. Adrian’s heart beatstrong and steady against her chest, its rhythm as possessive as his touch.

Georgia’s fingers curled around the warm ceramic mug, drawing comfort from its heat as she stood in her mother’s kitchen. From the living room, the TV’s steady hum mixed with the gentle clink of dishes as her mother tidied up after breakfast.

Her attention caught on the news anchor’s voice: gentle, almost apologetic. So different from the vicious tone that had haunted her years ago. The steam from her coffee rose in delicate spirals as she watched footage of herself and Adrian, the camera lingering on his hand at the small of her back, his body angled to shield her from the press.

The headlines scrolled past:Georgia Adler: A Mother’s Sacrifice,the Truth Behind the Rumors. Each word struck her with the force of a physical blow. They spoke of her resilience now, praised her dedication to her son. The same outlets that had torn her apart were suddenly singing her praises.

A tremor ran through her hands, coffee threatening to spill over the rim. Georgia set the mug down, steadying herself against the counter as she watched a montage of old photos. There she was, hurrying through crowds with her head down, Adrian’s tall frame beside her. But now the commentators spoke of protection, not control. Of love, not manipulation.

“Sources close to the couple reveal years of targeted harassment,” the anchor said, her voice carrying a note of regret. “The systematic campaign against Mrs. Adler appears to have been orchestrated by business rivals…”

Social media posts flashed across the screen. Influencers who’d once mocked her style now praised her grace under pressure. Fashion bloggers who’d questioned her credentials shared threads defending her talent.

Georgia’s chest tightened as she watched public opinion shift like a tide. After years of being labeled an opportunist, a gold-digger, they finally saw the truth. Or at least, the version of truth Adrian’s PR team had crafted. The irony wasn’t lost on her that his protection now came in the form of carefully controlled narratives rather than silent intimidation.

Georgia watched as Theo zoomed his red fire truck along the cream-colored couch, his small hands gripping the plastic toy. The steady vroom-vroom sounds bubbled from his lips, punctuated by bursts of pure, infectious laughter that filled the room. Her chest loosened at the sound, the weight of the media circus falling away for a precious moment.

Here, watching her son play without a care in the world, the headlines and carefully crafted narratives seemed distant. Theo paused to make siren noises, his face scrunched in concentration as he guided his truck through an imaginary emergency. The simple joy in his expression melted something inside her that had been frozen with worry.

Adrian reclined on the couch near Theo, one ankle crossed over his knee. His stillness carried weight, drawing her attention even when she tried to focus elsewhere. Though his posture suggested ease, his eyes never left her face, tracking each micro-expression with the same intensity he brought to his business dealings. But there was something else there too, a protective edge that softened his sharp features whenever Theo’s laughter rang out.

The news anchor’s voice cut off abruptly, replaced by the cheerful jingle of a car insurance commercial. Georgia inhaled deeply, feeling the tension drain from her shoulders like water. The ceramic mug in her hands had cooled, and she loosened her death grip on it, letting her palms absorb the remaining warmth.

Her gaze wandered to Adrian without conscious thought, pulled toward him like a compass needle finding true north. Their gazes locked across the space between them, and the corner of his mouth lifted in that familiar, subtle smirk. It wasn’t just triumph she saw there, but a vow, written in the curve of his lips and the steel in his eyes.

Georgia swallowed hard, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee mug. The truth settled deep in her bones: Adrian hadn’t just cleared her name; he’d given her back pieces of herself she thought were lost forever. The headlines weren’t just damage control. They were his declaration, loud and clear, that she wouldn’t weather this storm alone.

Her gaze drifted to where he sat, the morning light casting shadows across his sharp features. The man who’d once wielded silence like a weapon now spoke volumes through carefully orchestrated press releases and strategic leaks. But it wasn’t the public vindication that stole her breath. It was the quiet certainty behind it all. The unwavering message that she belonged with him, that their family wasn’t just for show.

A crash jolted her from her thoughts. Theo’s fire truck lay on its side, wheels spinning uselessly in the air. His giggles erupted, pure and bright, cutting through the heavy atmosphere like sunlight through storm clouds. Adrian leaned forward, his movements fluid as he retrieved the toy. His fingers wrapped around the plastic vehicle with surprising gentleness, extending it back to their son.

Theo’s small hand reached out, and for a brief moment, their fingers touched. The little boy beamed up at Adrian, trust written across his features. Something in Adrian’s expression shifted, his gaze melting into something softer, more vulnerable. The sight squeezed Georgia’s heart, drawing moisture to her eyes.

She watched them, father and son, separated by years of secrets, but connected by something deeper than blood. Adrian’s thumb brushed across the toy’s ladder before Theo took it, the gesture almost tender. When he looked up, catching Georgia’s gaze, that softness lingered.

The drone of the TV faded into white noise, irrelevant against the tableau before her. The world outside, with its cameras and speculation, seemed distant and unimportant. Here, in this moment, surrounded by the warmth of her mother’s kitchen and the sound of Theo’s play, Georgia felt the first real stirrings of peace. Adrian’s steady warmth beside her felt like bedrock, and she let herself dream of something beyond paperwork and clauses. A future where hearts could open without breaking, where standing tall didn’t mean standing alone.

CHAPTER 23

Georgia gathered scattered toy animals from the floor, each one part of Theo’s elaborate menagerie that wound through the living room like a miniature parade. Sunlight spilled through the windows, warming the hardwood beneath her feet as she collected a plastic giraffe and returned it to the line. Theo sat cross-legged on the carpet, his face scrunched in concentration as he swapped a brown bear for a bright green frog.

“No, you go there,” he whispered to his toys, completely absorbed in his game.

The soft scent of baking bread drifted from the kitchen where her mother hummed an old tune. Georgia picked up a fleece blanket from the floor, folding it with careful movements before placing it on the couch. These simple moments felt precious, organizing toys, listening to Theo’s quiet chatter, breathing in the homey smell of her mother’s baking.

A giggle burst from Theo as his zebra toppled sideways. “Oops!” He steadied it with gentle fingers, ensuring it stood perfectly aligned with its animal companions.

Georgia drifted to the window, her gaze settling on the quiet street outside. A dark sedan idled across the way. Probably belonged to someone visiting the neighbors, she thought, turning back to watch Theo arrange his toys.

The peaceful afternoon wrapped around her like a warm embrace until the same car circled past again, this time moving slower. Something tightened at the base of her spine, not quite fear, but awareness. Georgia drew in a steady breath, forcing herself to think rationally. Adrian had security measures in place. Not every unfamiliar vehicle meant danger.

Still, she slipped into the hallway, phone already in her hand. Her fingers moved across the screen, composing a brief message to Adrian, just noting the car’s presence, nothing more. The steady movement of her hands surprised her, so different from the trembling anxiety that ruled her life until recently.

Back in the living room, she drew the curtains closed. Just being cautious, she told herself, settling beside Theo on the floor. He’d begun pairing his animals together, creating little families.

“This is Mama bear and baby bear,” he explained, positioning two brown bears side by side.

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