From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 508

Laurinda tried to wiggle out of Adolphus’s hold, but his arms around her waist only tightened. The more she struggled, the less chance she had of getting free.

Adolphus rested his chin on the top of her head. There was a low, sarcastic laugh in his voice.

“Flirt? Tell me, what do you think that even means?”

She could feel something was off, and before Laurinda could react, Adolphus lifted her onto his shoulder and marched her straight into the bedroom.

He dropped her onto the bed, then leaned over her, pressing her gently into the sheets as he kissed her collarbone, lingering…

“Does this still feel like just flirting to you?”

Laurinda hadn’t meant for her joke to push him over the edge, but his wild side was out now and she panicked, begging for mercy.

“Okay, okay, I give up!”

He smiled, not letting her off so easily. “Really? You think you get to decide that just by saying it?”

Laurinda slept past eleven. She’d admitted defeat last night, but Adolphus hadn’t planned to give her any peace until she’d promised to marry him. Too tired to argue, she’d said yes, just to get some sleep.

When she finally stirred, the door creaked open and Adolphus peeked in, his voice much softer than usual.

“Are you awake?”

She lay there, staring at the ceiling, not wanting to move. Adolphus’s careful tone told her he hadn’t forgotten how he’d annoyed her the night before.

“I don’t want to get up,” Laurinda mumbled.

He shook his head. “This isn’t about them. Finn and Aileen got what they deserved. It’s Baal. He’s not as innocent as you think.”

Adolphus lifted her off the bed and carried her into the bathroom. He squeezed toothpaste on her brush and pressed it into her hand.

Laurinda went through the motions, brushing her teeth as questions spun in her mind. What had Baal done? Had she really missed something so huge? He never once set off her alarms before. If anything, she’d always thought he treated her kindly because of how much he cared for her mother. It creeped her out, sure, but she couldn’t deny he seemed genuine.

Behind her in the mirror, she could see Adolphus watching her serious, troubled expression.

There were some things he clearly didn’t want to make her face, but for her own good, he had to. Whether Baal stayed in their lives or not—it would be her call.

After she finished getting ready, Laurinda glanced in the mirror again, catching Adolphus’s intense gaze. The knot of anxiety in her stomach just twisted tighter.

“You’re making it all sound so serious… now I’m not even sure I want to go.”