Chapter 22: Chapter 22: I’ll Only Say This Once
’This guy... he probably wanted to sit on a sofa, but since there isn’t one, he’s just using the bed instead, isn’t he?’
Claire Sinclair was speechless for a long moment. She closed the door and walked in. "Do you want some water?"
"Sit down."
"Okay."
Claire Sinclair pulled over a small stool and sat far away from him. "Is there anything else?"
"Do you always shut the door and spend time alone with men who visit?"
The man’s tone was interrogating and displeased.
Claire Sinclair thought he was taking her for that kind of woman and immediately retorted, "No, you’re the first man to ever set foot in my home. Well, no, there was my scumbag ex, but I usually get back late, so he rarely came over."
’The only reason I let him in is because he works at Quincy Manor. In my mind, Quincy Manor is a symbol of integrity.’
Adrian Quincy said in a low, heavy voice, "In the future, no matter who it is, don’t just let strangers into your home."
"I’m not a child. I don’t need you to tell me that..." Claire Sinclair muttered under her breath.
"Hm?" Adrian Quincy didn’t quite hear what she said.
Claire Sinclair said with a wide smile, "Mr. Quincy, you don’t know anything about my past, yet you married me just like that. Aren’t you afraid I’m a bad girl?"
Adrian Quincy’s cold eyes narrowed, but he remained silent.
’What does he mean by not saying anything?’
Claire Sinclair tested the waters. "What if I told you I’m not as innocent as I look? Would you divorce me then?"
"Come here," Adrian Quincy suddenly commanded, his voice sharp.
Claire Sinclair jumped, startled. Seeing the dark look on his face, she didn’t dare go near. She swallowed hard. "I’m not coming over there. If you have something to say, just say it from here."
’The guy looks like he’s about to eat me alive. There’s no way I’m going over there!’
"Come here. Don’t make me say it a third time."
Seeing the look on his face, a sense of crisis washed over Claire Sinclair. She shot to her feet, ready to bolt.
In a flash, Adrian Quincy moved, closing the distance in a few quick strides and easily grabbing the girl’s arm.
He used both hands to quickly clasp her wrists together, raising them above her head as he pressed her body against the door.
The move was a bit like a cop pinning a thief against a wall to frisk them...
Except, Adrian Quincy didn’t frisk her. He just pressed her face toward the door and spoke into her ear, his voice low and cold.
"Claire Sinclair, I’m only going to say this once. Your sister saved my life. I promised her I would marry you, so I don’t care about whatever foolish things you’ve done in the past. But you are never to do them again. Understand?"
Hearing his lecture, Claire Sinclair froze completely.
’How stupid can I be? He only married me to fulfill my sister’s dying wish, not because he actually cares. And I expected him to understand me? Ha...’
His grip on her wrists was starting to hurt. Too lazy to struggle, she opened her mouth and bit him.
Adrian Quincy froze for a second, then abruptly let go of her hands.
Claire Sinclair took a step to the side, her head bowed. "I’m sorry, but I have no intention of changing my personality for someone like you. Either we get a divorce, or we stay like this for the rest of our lives. I will never acknowledge this marriage."
Adrian Quincy completely ignored her stance, stating his own position without a change in expression. "For someone with a mission, sacrificing personal happiness is a small price to pay. You are my mission. And I will never give up on you."
"..."
Claire Sinclair didn’t know how to argue with that.
’Then again, a man this full of righteous duty wouldn’t have room for something as frivolous as romantic entanglements.’
Marrying her had never been what he wanted.
’Whatever. I’ll just resign myself to growing old alone. Besides, I’m not the only one losing out in this deal.’