Chapter 29
The tantalizing aroma of roasted chicken filled the air as Adam stepped back to admire his handiwork.
The dining table was set with candles casting a warm glow, the plates arranged perfectly, and a bottle of red wine positioned in the center.
He adjusted the collar of his shirt, glancing once more at the small hidden camera he had strategically placed in the living room. It was still perfectly concealed.
“Let’s do this,” he muttered under his breath as the doorbell rang.
Walking to the door, Adam took a deep breath.
When he opened it, Brenda stood there in a dangerously low-cut red dress, her lips painted a deep crimson. She leaned against the doorframe, her expression smug and self-assured.
“Well, don’t just stand there,” she purred. “Invite me in.”
Adam forced a smile, stepping aside. “Come in.”
Brenda sashayed into the house, her stiletto heels clicking against the marble floor.
She scanned the room, her gaze landing on the table. “Wow,” she said, her voice dripping with fake surprise. “You’ve really outdone yourself, Adam. I didn’t know you had a romantic side.”
“Sometimes I surprise myself,” he replied, gesturing toward the table. “Shall we?”
Brenda practically floated to the dining table, her smile widening as she took in the roses, the candles, and the perfectly plated food. “This is… beautiful,” she said, her voice soft for the first time.
Adam nodded, pulling out her chair. “I thought you deserved a nice evening.”
As they began eating, the silence between them was palpable but not uncomfortable. Brenda’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned forward, her arm brushing against his.
“I have to admit,” she said, her voice teasing, “I didn’t expect you to go all out for me.”
Adam raised an eyebrow, meeting her gaze. “Why not? You’ve been on my mind a lot lately.”
Her lips curled into a pleased smile. “Flattering. Keep talking like that, and you might just win me over completely.”
They continued their meal, their arms entwined as they sipped wine and ate. Adam maintained a charming facade, but internally, his mind was racing. He needed her to relax, to trust him enough to slip up and give him what he needed.
The opportunity came out of nowhere.
“When are we getting married, Adam?” Brenda asked suddenly, her tone light but her eyes sharp.
Adam froze, his fork halfway to his mouth. Of all the things she could have said, that wasn’t what he expected. “Married?” he repeated, forcing a laugh.
Brenda tilted her head, her expression smug. “You’ve gone through all this trouble to impress me, to win me back. Isn’t marriage the logical next step?”
Adam’s mind scrambled for a response. He placed his fork down, leaning back in his chair. “Brenda, we’ve been through a lot. Don’t you think we should take things slow?”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she maintained her smile. “Slow? Adam, I’ve waited long enough. Don’t you think it’s time we made things official?”
Adam was about to redirect the conversation, to steer it toward the evidence he needed, when the doorbell rang again.
“I’ll get that,” he said quickly, starting to rise.
But Brenda reached across the table, gripping his hand. “Not so fast,” she said sweetly. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
“Brenda,” Adam said firmly, trying to keep his tone calm, “someone’s at the door.”
Her grip tightened for a moment before she released him with a small laugh. “Fine. I’ll get it. This is practically my home anyway.”
Before he could protest, Brenda stood and strode toward the door, her heels clicking with an air of authority. Adam watched her go, his stomach knotting.
When Brenda opened the door, her confident smile faltered, replaced by a look of utter shock.
“Sophie?” she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of disbelief and irritation.
Sophie stood on the doorstep, her arms crossed, exuding an air of cool confidence. She was dressed in a simple but elegant black dress that clung to her figure in all the right places.
Beside her stood a man who looked like he had stepped out of a fashion magazine. His sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes, and tailored suit screamed sophistication.
“Hello, Brenda,” Sophie said, her tone icy.
Brenda opened her mouth to retort, but the words caught in her throat. She looked past Sophie at the man standing beside her, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Brenda demanded, trying to regain control of the situation.
