If Isa Daley came to visit, she would be Chadwick's visitor. Now, Adira contemplated whether she'll call her husband or not.

'Is it really necessary to call him when this house is my house too?' Adira asked herself.

Flaunting a grin, Adira decided to greet the guest alone. She held the doorknob, and when the entrance opened, a pair of clear brown eyes shook before her.

Isa Daley gaped at the woman who opened the door. She blinked her brown eyes, then observed Adira's sexy lingerie. Isa gawked at Adira's silky sleeping wear, bust, red lips, and alluring emerald eyes. When Adira blinked, her long lashes flickered like red butterfly wings.

'Chadwick's wife is so pretty. And she has a charismatic look,' with this in Isa's mind, she felt anxious. Yet, she suppressed the fear and straightened her posture.

Adira stared at the woman whom her husband had feelings for. Isa Daley has an innocent face, big round brown eyes, a small thin nose, a tiny face, and a captivating beam. Isa looks like the typical female lead in every romance novel.

If they stand next to each other, Isa will look like a lamb, while Adira will look like a wild red fox.

The lamb, Isa, held tightly at the plant vase around her hands. She smiled at Adira and greeted, "Good morning."

What's good in the morning?

Adira does not feel good early in the morning. Either way, she greeted her back.

"Good morning." Then, Adira smiled too.

"My name is Isa Daley," she introduced. "I attended the wedding before."

Adira nodded her head. "I see," she responded before asking, "Then, how did you know our address?"

Apart from Adira and Chadwick's families and secretaries, no one knows the couple's address.

"About that. Well, err, ahm, Chadwick shared with me the address of your house."

Adira snorted silently. Once again, she praised her husband's foolishness for bringing his woman into their house.

If Adira is just an ordinary wife, she might have dragged Isa out of the house by pulling her hair. Fortunately, Isa should be thankful that the person in front of her is a woman who won't care about her husband's affair.

In a gentle tone, Adira responded, "So, why did you come here, Miss Daley?"

As an answer, Isa showed the plant vase she was carrying.

"Here. I wanted to give this plant as my gift for you."

A gift for Adira?

Adira was curious why this woman would offer a gift for her.

Is there a mistress willing to give a gift to the legal wife?

Adira thought that Isa might be the first one.

"A gift for me?" Adira repeated. "Why?"

Sighing, Isa explained, "Last night, Chadwick and I were talking through a phone call. Then, I heard your voice."

Adira's right brow soared up, making the other look bigger than the right side. She continued listening to Isa without saying a thing.

"Chadwick and I talked for hours," Isa added. Biting her peach lips, she continued, "Thus, I wanted to give you this gift just in case I made you feel so bad. I am sure you're not okay, right?"

Blinking, Adira observed Isa.

The cute girl has an innocent face, something that resembles an angel. However, as Adira analyzed the meaning of Isa's words, she doubted if Isa was really an angel sent from heaven.

Is Isa really need to inform Adira that she's talking with Chadwick for long hours?

And would it be better to apologize to a misunderstanding than to say that she wanted to make Adira feel better?

Wondering about those, Adira realized that Isa was an angel sent from hell.

'A b*tch appeared,' Adira said inwardly while she glared down at Isa.

When Isa saw the dark gaze, she felt the overpowering aura and the chill creeping out of her skin. Her hands trembled, and by accident, she dropped the vase.

"Oh no!"

Krkrkrrrrklsh!

Ear-piercing sounds echoed around the living room.

Adira looked at the pieces of the broken vase and the poor plant that dirtied that white tile.

"Oh my goodness," Isa gasped, covering her mouth. She then looked at Adira and apologized. "Sorry! I am so sorry! I didn't mean to drop it!" Quickly, Isa sat down to pick up the broken pieces.

Nonchalantly, Adira watched her and thought that she was an idiot.

"Ouch!" Isa winced when she accidentally cut her finger while picking up the broken pieces.

That is why Adira thought she was a fool. 'Why pick up something dangerous when you can use a broom?' she thought as she rolled her eyes.

Wanting to stop Isa from picking them up, she detached her lips.

"Hey. St…”

But Chadwick suddenly came.

"Isa!" he shouted as he dashed towards his friend.

Chadwick passed by his wife and knelt on the ground to check how deep is the cut on Isa's finger.

"Oh sh*t," Chadwick cursed. "Are you fine? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"

Adira found it very absurd. Who goes to the hospital with a small cut on her finger?

'Well. Love will make someone really stupid,' Adira realized while watching the two.

"Hospital? No. This is nothing," Isa replied. She smiled at him and pressed her finger to stop the bleeding.

Chadwick looked alternately at the broken plant vase and Isa's wound. Next, he stared at the possible culprit.

Adira wasn't the one who broke the vase. But given that she's present, Chadwick can easily accuse her as the perpetrator.

"You… Did you…" Chadwick uttered while glaring at his wife.

Adira tilted her head. She did give Isa an eye-piercing stare, but she's innocent!

Feeling unjust, Adira gawked at Isa. She waited for Isa to explain to Chadwick that everything was an accident and Adira was innocent. However, Isa did not say anything. She just kept sitting on the ground with her head hung low, as if playing the poor victim act.

'This sh*t…' Adra exclaimed internally. She couldn't believe that a devil dared to crawl from hell, and that was Isa!

As no one talked, Chadwick guessed that it was really Adira who caused this mess. After their conversation last night, Chadwick was convinced that Adira could be crazy.

Therefore, Chadwick stood up and gave her the coldest stare ever. Then, he accused, "What the hell are you doing, Adira?"

Experiencing this absurdness, Adira snorted. "Huh."

She smirked at Isa, who's succeeded in making her the villain.

Who is the lamb again? Adira can only see a sly fox in front of her.

'But I don't have time and patience for this,' Adira thought. She realized it would be better to ignore them and prepare for her work.

Shaking her head, Adira turned around and stepped away. But Chadwick was fast to grab her wrist and pull her back.

Adira looked back and stared at his hand made of ice. The place he touched immediately became cold, and that chill from his fingertips slithered straight into her body.

With an apathetic expression, Adira stared at her husband.

"Where do you think you're going after doing this?" Chadwick asked. His clutch tightened around his wrist.

Adira flinched. His clasp is painful but bearable. But it shows how agitated he is just because Isa got hurt.

"Explain why you did that?" Chadwick commanded.

Do what?

What will she explain when she does not do anything?

Adira proudly lifted her chin. Then she asked, "What did I do?"

Huh.

Chadwick snorted. He couldn't believe that Adira dared to play ignorant even at times like this.

"Don't you dare play innocent, Adira," he warned, pulling her closer.

It must be easy for him to think that Adira is the villain. However, Adira won't back down.

'If he wanted me to play evil, then I would,' Adira decided.

Before she became Adira McElroy, she was Adira Hale. A name that means being strong and undefeated.

Adira pulled her hand out of Chadwick's grip and held him instead. It was as if she flipped the table; now, she's the interrogator.

Chadwick can hardly react to the fast shifting of her movements.

"Dear," Adira called.

Blinking swiftly, he looked at her.

Even Isa is surprised that Adira is holding Chadwick's wrist and that she has the upper hand in this battle.

Adira grinned at him.

"Accusing me without evidence, I think that's how powerful love is," Adira murmured.

"W-What?" Chadwick uttered.

"Why? It's true. You have feelings for this lady." Adira stared down at Isa as she whispered, "Right, Honey?"

At Adira's remark, Chadwick and Isa held their breaths momentarily.

Adira was sitting in front of her office desk while reminiscing about the scene that unfolded in her new home this early morning:

“You have feelings for this lady.” Adira stared down at Isa as she whispered, “Right, Honey?”

At Adira’s remark, Chadwick and Isa held their breaths momentarily. They did not expect to hear this answer directly from Adira.

As no one from the two could answer her, Adira pulled her hand away from Chadwick’s. Then, she glanced at the woman sitting pathetically on the floor.

“Miss Isa. You don’t need to pick those up because I will ask someone else to clean them. After all, YOU ARE MY HUSBAND’S DEAREST GUEST.”

Adira smiled at Isa, an eerie and haunting beam like an image in a broken mirror. Isa felt the chill creeping out on her skin.

“And honey,” Adira called the unmovable and stunned Chadwick. She leaned towards him, placing her leg between his thighs before she fixed the collar of his shirt.

Chadwick’s eyes dilated in front of the gorgeous woman before him. A scowl marred on his face. Even Adira’s cloying scents are enticing, and he detests such smell.

“I had to go to work. Have a great time with your guest.”

She moved two steps backward away from him and did not forget to wear the sneer on her lips. When she turned around, her red hair fluttered in the air. Adira left the two without looking back as if seeing them again would waste her time.

“Ma’am?”

Waking up from recollecting the vivid memory, Adira stared at her secretary.

“Is there a problem?” asked Miss Hansel.

Secretary Hansel noticed that Adira kept looking afar, and she thought it odd because her boss does not usually lose her focus, especially while working.

Carefully opening her mouth, Adira responded, “Secretary Hansel.”

The secretary quickly responded, “Yes, Ma’am?

“How long has it been already since you married your husband?”

Not only is Adira spaced out, but she’s also asking a personal question to her employee.

Hansel peeked out of the window, ensuring the sun would set to the West.

Adira seems friendly and approachable at first glance. However, people who socialized with her could tell that Adira built a wall between her and the others. She smiled, but at the same time, she hated getting attached to someone or something.

Therefore, when Adira asked Hansel about her personal life, Hansel thought it would be a good sign.

“Well, my husband and I have been married for four years,” Hansel said.

Adira rested her chin on her clutched hands. Humming, she responded, “Ahhhh.” Then she looked back at her again with another question to ask. “What would you do if you found out your husband likes someone else?”

“P-Pardon?”

“Then, the woman he likes can freely come in and out of your house. What will you do?”

Hansel felt the flicker of irritation that flooded her vein. Even just imagining the situation, she felt like she’d burst into madness!

Turning red, Hansel opened her mouth, and she subconsciously shouted, “I will beat them to death!”

Death.

Death.

Death.

The loud shout echoed inside the office.

It took Hansel seconds to realize her grave mistake.

Did she shout at the CEO of the company?

Not. She only did that unconsciously to release her anger about the imaginary situation.

Gasping, Hansel lowered her head and apologized. “Sorry, Ma’am! I did not mean to shout like that.”

Adira only chuckled. Then she uttered, “It’s okay.” She checked the documents before her and signed what needed to be signed.

Hansel glanced at the CEO’s pretty face. She’s dying to know why Adira suddenly asked that question. Anxiousness followed.

‘What if she asked me this because her husband brought another woman into their house?’ she wondered.

Hansel is one of the people who knows that Adira and Chadwick’s marriage is just for convenience. Withal, that is not enough reason for Chadwick to bring his woman into their newly built house!

The worried secretary clenched her fists out of deep rage for her boss. Nevertheless, if Hansel gets so mad like this, even when she’s not involved, she imagines how hard it is for Adira.

‘I hope, Ma’am, can stay strong,’ Hansel wished.

However, Adira does not feel pathetic. She asks the question to Haimee because she’s only curious about what an ordinary wife would think in this situation.

Adira is not an ordinary woman. Thus, she cannot understand this.

“You don’t need to drive me home, Secretary Hansel.”

“Yes?”

She stopped signing the documents as Adira looked back at Haimee.

“I will go to my favorite place and will drink some.”

Hansel nodded, “Noted, Ma’am.”

Adira bowed her head so she did not see Hansel’s empathetic expression for her. Hansel thought Adira would drink alcohol because she had difficulty with her arranged marriage.

But actually, Adira just wanted to drink.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

—————— ------------------------------------------ -------------------------

Adira went to her favorite luxury bar at 6 pm.

She always comes to this place whenever she’s tired from work. And today, she came here not because of her husband or her husband’s woman.

Although she plans on seducing Chadwick, she does not intend to make him fall in love. Thus, Adira won’t care even if Chadwick spends his sweet days with her woman.

‘I am too old to waste my time and play like a villain for those idiots,’ Adira thought, shaking her head.

With an elated heart, Adira wanted to drink alone after a long day of work. If there’s one thing she’s praying for, that is to have a cute child she’ll spend her days with while her hair turns gray.

Adira focused on her career. She did not experience feeling attracted to or interested in dating men or women. She thought love would only be a hindrance, so she reached 31 without dating. Moreover, Adira knew that trying was futile since she’ll only marry the husband her father would choose. Why bother wasting her time crying and fighting over a stupid romance and pretending to be like a character in a tragic novel?

“I suddenly wanted to read tragic romance novels like Romeo and Juliet,” she murmured at the bar counter.

Adira looked around.

All of a sudden, a man sprung below the counter. He’s wearing a bartender uniform and wiping his name tag, which he picked up from the ground.

The man’s appearance caught Adira’s attention. She watched him pin his name tag on his uniform with the name [“Geoffrey”]

Adira is a regular customer of this place. But this was the first time she saw this man.

The guy has brushed-up blonde hair. His brows are arched up. He has eagle-like eyes, which are sharp but have heavy lids. His nose is tall, very majestic. He has heart-shaped lips with a small mole near his upper lip. He is also tall with a great build.

To make it short, he is very handsome and will be a scene-stealer anywhere he goes.

‘The bar’s advertising skills are no joke,’ Adira praised the bar’s management inside her head.

At last, the man focused on the woman sitting at the counter. As soon as he saw her face, he froze like a statue, as if he saw something shocking.

Well, Adia is too used to this kind of reaction. She’s pretty, that’s why. Yet there’s something odd about the way the bartender looks at her. It was as if he knew her already.

The bartender, Geoffrey, closed his partly opened lips after a moment.

After staring at Adira’s face, he focused on her finger. And when he saw that she was not wearing any ring, a satisfied grin drew on his face.

Six months have passed.

It’s already half a year since Chadwick and Adira married each other. Since then, Adira has only wished for one thing from her husband. And that is to convince him to sleep with her and warm her bed.

“Can I sleep inside your room?”

“Let’s make out.”

“Let’s sleep together.”

“Honey, let’s have sex.”

Living with Adira for the first month was hell for Chadwick—a nightmare without escape.

Adira never failed to ask him to have sex every day. EVERY SINGLE DAY. And it became a job for Chadwick to decline her. EVERY SINGLE DAY. Until Chadwick got used to her craziness after months. It became a routine for him to decline her, and it also became a routine for Adira to get rejection. Still, the stubborn lady doesn't know how to give up.

Like tonight, Adira visited his room to ask the same thing again.

“Darling,” Adira called, standing near the bed Chadwick sat on. She’s wearing a shiny, thin sleepwear dress made from silk. Her undergarments would be easily seen if she stood next to the light.

Her gorgeous body, as alluring as it can be, might seduce whoever sees her. It’s not just her commendable hourglass figure but also her doll-like face and skin that is as pale as jade.

“Can you make a baby with me tonight?” Adira uttered so patently as if she was selling candy in the middle of the crowded street.

Now here is the question.

Did Chadwick really get used to Adira’s craziness after six months?

Hell no.

He is accustomed to her offer, but that does not mean that he's fine with this.

Chadwick grabbed the pillow and threw it at his wife. Since Adira has excellent agility, and this does not happen for the first time, she avoids flying objects. The pillow hit an anime figurine and fell to the ground.

Tak.

It’s broken. The figurine broke into pieces.

Chadwick looked at his favorite figurine, and he gaped as he remembered how far he traveled just to buy this collection.

“Just to remind you, it wasn’t me who threw the pillow,” Adira reminded him upon seeing his pale complexion. Then, she hurriedly walked out of the room.

As soon as she got out, she heard Chadwick shouting, “No! My favorite Saitama! This is really expensive! Argh!”

Adira felt guilty that his favorite figurine broke.

"I feel sad for him," she uttered.

Nevertheless, it does not mean that she planned to stop here. For sure, she will do this again tomorrow and ask for the same time all over again.

Holding the broken pieces of the figurine, Chadwick took deep breaths before he looked at the door with fierce eyes.

‘Adira,’ he cursed the name of his beautiful wife.

The reason why he was having a difficult time, he knew it, was because of her.

Adira is way too different from the women he met before. She’s strong and dominant, very far from his ideal type. If only Adira were cute and innocent, there might be a considerable chance that they could get along.

That’s all.

He cannot promise he’ll like her as a woman even if they are close or even if she acts like his ideal type.

Just imagining the day he would fall in love with Adira gave him a creep.

Chadwick caressed the goosebumps on his skin and shook his head as if reminding himself that it was better not to imagine that horrific situation. Then, he dropped the broken pieces on the floor and, with teary eyes, ran and locked the door. He believes that Adira might come back again.

“She’s scarier than a ghost or a serial killer,” he said while leaning on the door.

Holding his head, he strode to his bed while dragging his feet.

He perched down, sighing, “Does she have the slightest shame?”

Speaking of shame, he suddenly thought of Isa, who did not visit him after the incident six months ago.

Six months ago, Isa visited here to befriend Adira. The vase that Isa brought broke, and she got hurt. Chadwick saw Isa and Adira together when the incident happened, so he wrongfully accused his wife.

Chadwick laid down on his bed.

While staring at nothing, he reminisced what happened that night after Isa visited their house.

Adira went inside the house. Chadwick went to greet her as if he’d been waiting for Adira to come.

As soon as he stood before her, Chadwick smelled the malt scent of the alcohol from his wife.

Scowling, he asked, “Did you drink?”

Adira stared at her husband. She drank a lot but wasn’t drunk and wholly sobered.

“I did drink,” she responded.

Chadwick felt culpable. He thought that Adira drank because of him.

“Is it because I blamed you this morning?” he shyly inquired.

Adira tilted her head. She could not understand why he thought she drank outside because of him.

“This morning,” Chadwick murmured, “I blamed you wrongfully. I thought it was you who broke the vase, and that’s why Isa got hurt. But I’m wrong. So, sorry.”

Her mouth opened as she nodded as if she finally understood what he was trying to say. She understood him, but that did not mean he answered correctly.

“I did not drink because I feel bad,” Adira said.

“Yes?” Chadwick murmured.

“I was only tired from work. So, I went out to relieve my stress. That’s my hobby.”

Adira smiled. She tapped her husband’s shoulder before she walked past him. Confused, Chadwick caught her wrist and pulled her.

“Isa told me that it wasn’t your fault. Aren’t you mad that I got angry at you? Don’t you think it’s unfair?”

Slowly, she looked back at him. It’s funny. She wanted to laugh after hearing what her husband said. If Isa really does not wish Chadwick to misunderstand the situation, she should have explained everything from the beginning. But Isa did not. And Adira does not want to explain to Chadwick that Isa isn’t as kind as he thinks.

“That’s why I apologized. But you are acting as if nothing happened,” Chadwick said.

Adira pulled her hand away from his grip. Smiling, she asked, “So, what do you want me to do?”

That question caught Chadwick off guard.

What does he want?

He wanted to apologize. He already did it, but he does not feel good at all. Because it seems like Adira does not care, and she does not even know what he’s sorry for. That made him like a horrible person, and Chadwick hated it.

“I already said that I don’t care,” Adira said.

“You are right,” Chadwick murmured with chuckles. “And it seems you are not interested in hearing my answer when you asked me if I like Isa.”

“Hmmm, yeah. That too,” Adira gave him a flat response. “If you like another woman or want to bring her into this house, do what you want.”

Chadwick felt like a bucket of ice poured into his head. He realized his wife had a talent for being as cold as ice. She maybe speaks sweetly, but her heart is stone. And he will never befriend a woman like her.

“So, honey,” Adira said in a low voice. “You don’t need to say sorry. I don’t need your emotions.”

Adira skimmed a look at him from head to toe.

“All I want is your body,” she added. After that, she turned around and left him.

Remembering that night, Chadwick frowned deeply. He licked his lower lip and bit it hard. Ever since that night, he became more confident that there would be no chance for him and his wife to get along.

Chadwick looked at the door again. “I shouldn’t have agreed on this marriage,” he whispered.

On the other side, Adira is in the living room. While sitting on the couch, she’s thinking of a plan to convince her husband to s*x with her.

“The seducing plan started six months ago,” she murmured.

Six months.

It took her six months, but none of her plans worked!

“But this is not the time to surrender,” Adira convinced herself.

Yielding and surrounding aren’t in her dictionary. Her surname changed, but she is still the undefeatable Adira from the past.

After cheering herself, Adira looked at her husband’s room, which was probably locked.

“That man is so grumpy,” she said. “At least, I hope he’ll be sweet during my birthday.”

Adira couldn’t remember the last time she celebrated her birthday. She would lock herself inside her office and work her butt off instead of wasting her time on that celebration, which she considers a waste of time.

The celebrator does not care about this. Thus, there are only a few who knows her birth date.

Suddenly, an idea popped inside her head.

“What if I can use my birthday to lure Chadwick?” she thought before a smirk played on her lips.

She stood up again, about to return to his room and attack. However, she stopped when she heard the ringing of the doorbell.

Ding dong~ Ding dong~

Adira looked at the door of their house.

There’s only one person who dared to visit their home. And if she’s not wrong, the person who pressed the doorbell is the same visitor they had six months ago.

With less curiosity, Adira walked toward the security screen.

She guessed it right.

After six months, Isa came back.

‘I was wondering why she did not come anymore. Now I don’t need to wonder anymore,’ Adira thought.

Six months ago, Isa came here saying she wanted to apologize to Adira.

“What is your reason for coming tonight?” Adira hummed.

She looked up and guessed why.

‘Don’t tell me she came here to say she’s pregnant. And that Chadwik is the father.’

She shuddered at these thoughts. If that is the case, she will divorce Chadwick immediately.

Adira does not care if Chadwick has another woman. But having a child with another woman is different thing.

First, she does not want to care for another woman’s baby. She wanted to have her baby, but that does not mean she is willing to be a stepmom.

‘I shouldn’t open the door,’ Adira decided.

If Isa ever came here with the news about the baby, she won’t take the responsibility to hear it. So, Adira walked towards her husband’s room instead.

She knocked on the door and called him, “Honey?’

Not long after, Chadwick answered her with a loud voice. “Didn’t I warn you to go away! Isn’t it enough that you broke one of my figurines?!”

“But it was him who broke it,” Adira whispered. She shrugged her shoulder and answered, “Come out.”

“I don’t want!”

“Really? Then I will tell Isa you don’t want to meet her.”

Not even ten seconds passed before Chadwick opened the door.

“W-Who came?” he asked.

He always shuts the door for his wife, but it seems he’s open to all conversation for Isa.

“Isa is here,” Adira repeated her report.

As fast as a bolt, Chadwick ran, passing by Adira. He even bumped her by mistake, so Adira was shoved backward.

“Ahh,” she winced, then watched her husband dash toward the door and open it.

As soon as Chadwick opened the door, Isa barged in. The next thing that happened made Adira shocked.

“Oh my,” Adira said while watching Isa hugging her husband.

“Chadwick,” Isa sobbed, hugging Chadwick so tight.

Unable to move or push Isa away, Chadwick looked at her and murmured, “I-Isa.”

“He is such a b*stard,” Isa cried, burying her face on his chest.

Chadwick raised his hands and hugged her as if he had no choice. He tapped Isa’s back as if soothing a child in his arms.

It took him long seconds before he remembered that they were not alone.

‘Adira is here!’ Chadwick realized.

He quickly turned his head to his wife who was staring at them. She stood in front of his room, watching them with an expression that was hard to read.

If she was mad or sad, he could not tell.

Who would be okay if someone saw her husband hugging another girl in front of you?

Months ago, Adira reassured Chadwick that she wouldn’t care even if he had a mistress. Even so, Chadwick has a sense of guilt and doesn’t want to hurt his wife this way. So, he put his hand on Isa’s shoulder, about to push her. However…

“...”

Chadwick saw his wife turning around and leaving them alone without allowing him to show her respect.

‘What a gift for my birthday,’ Adira said before returning to her room.