The Billionaire's Two-Faced Escort Wife-Chapter 84: Therapy Talks

​"Okay," Adrian murmured, still reeling from the public scolding and Alexander’s possessive defence.

​As Doc. Stan began to explain the first exercise, Alexander reached out again, this time placing his hand lightly, almost possessively, on the back of Adrian’s neck, his thumb resting right where the hardest blow had landed.

​"Marcus," Alexander interrupted the silence with a phone call, his voice dropping to a low, intense whisper that excluded Adrian’s. "The person who organised the attack—Chloe—she’s been neutralised. But I want to make sure I get the entire network that was involved in this. I want every single person who touched him off the streets, permanently."

​He leaned in closer, his blue eyes hard as diamonds, his thumb applying a tiny, almost imperceptible pressure to Adrian’s vulnerable neck.

​"Find me the leader of the group Chloe hired. I want a name, a location, and a list of his crimes. I want to know who almost took him from me. No expense spared. Consider this your second assignment."

​Adrian felt a shiver run down his spine, half fear, half sick fascination. Alexander was initiating a full-scale, personal war against the criminals who had hurt Adrian, demonstrating a terrifying level of protectiveness. The subtle pressure of his thumb on Adrian’s neck was a silent reminder: ’I will hurt anyone who touches you, but I also own the right to touch you myself.’

​Doc. Stan met Alexander’s gaze, seeing the dangerous mix of love and violence in his cousin’s eyes. He knew this wasn’t just about justice; it was a brutal, territorial declaration.

​Marcus’s voice spoke through the phone, "I will put my best security assets on it, Alexander," Marcus agreed, his voice serious. "But understand this: you will not interfere, and Adrian will not be exposed to any part of this operation. This is for justice, not revenge theatre. Agreed?"

​"Agreed," Alexander replied, finally lifting his hand from Adrian’s neck. He gave Adrian a possessive, lingering look. "Now, begin your physical therapy, Adrian. I’ll be in the study, monitoring."

​Alexander walked away, leaving Adrian caught between the comforting, professional hands of Doc. Stan, and the terrifying, protective shadow of the man who now governed his safety, his health, and his very choices in intimacy.

​Doc. Stan was working on Adrian’s shoulder, gently guiding his arm through a small, vertical rotation. The movement sent a dull ache through the bruised muscle in Adrian’s back, but the steady, professional touch was grounding.

​Adrian watched the closed study door, a wall of wood separating him from the man who was currently plotting retribution for his attack. He knew this was his safest chance for unfiltered information.

​"Doc. Stan," Adrian began quietly, keeping his voice low so only the doctor could hear over the gentle rustle of his movements. "I appreciate you being blunt with Alexander about the medical situation."

​Stan nodded, maintaining the rhythmic movement of Adrian’s arm. "It’s necessary. He can be... intense. But he cares, Adrian. More than I’ve ever seen him care about anyone, frankly."

​Adrian hesitated, the question burning on his tongue, one that spoke directly to the vulnerability Alexander had shown in the bathtub.

​"Sebastian," Adrian whispered, his eyes locked on Stan’s kind, brown ones. "Is Sebastian gay? Or is he just interested in me because he competes with Alexander on everything? Alexander seemed to think he was a threat, but I can’t figure out why Sebastian would be so invested."

​Doc. Stan paused the movement, looking down at Adrian with a thoughtful, almost sad expression. He leaned closer, lowering his own voice even further.

​"Adrian, Sebastian is gay. Openly so, within the family circle," Stan revealed. "And he’s been interested in you since you first started working for Alexander. He sees you as a chance for a genuine connection, away from the Devereux political nonsense."

​He resumed the stretching, his touch deliberately gentle.

​"But more importantly, Adrian, Alexander sees Sebastian as a threat because they are rivals in everything—business, family favour, control. Sebastian knows Alexander’s weakness, and he knows how to push his buttons. And right now, you are Alexander’s biggest, most exposed weakness. When you asked Sebastian to take you away from the hospital, you weren’t just seeking comfort; you were handing Sebastian a massive victory over Alexander."

​Stan sighed, meeting Adrian’s gaze with a direct, compassionate look.

​"And Alexander? He’s not interested in a marriage of convenience anymore. If he’s buying you dozens of lubricant tubes and risking business deals out of jealousy, he’s past the point of ’contractual obligation.’ He’s terrified of losing you. He’s behaving like a man who’s fighting for his life, Adrian. He loves you. In his own, extremely messed-up, controlling way."

​Adrian swallowed hard, the unexpected clarity of Stan’s words hitting him like a physical blow. Sebastian was a genuine option, a kind escape route, but choosing him would be purely about revenge and safety, not love. And Alexander’s love was real, but toxic.

​"I need to know one more thing, Stan," Adrian continued, his voice barely a breath. "Alexander said he’s ’dealt with’ Chloe. What does that mean, exactly? Should I be worried about his methods?"

​Doc. Stan looked toward the closed study door, his expression turning serious and professional once more.

​"Alexander Devereux doesn’t do things halfway, Adrian. He will have employed the best, most discreet legal and security resources money can buy. ’Dealt with’ means Chloe will likely face criminal charges, possibly a civil suit that bankrupts her, and she will have signed a non-disclosure agreement with a massive penalty clause. She won’t come near you again, and the men who hurt you will be off the streets."

​He lowered Adrian’s arm slowly back to the sofa. "Alexander is not a patient man when his assets are compromised. Right now, you are his most valuable asset. The violence is directed outward now, Adrian. He will move mountains to ensure your safety. But he will also expect absolute compliance in return."

​Stan clapped his hands together lightly. "Right. That’s enough for today. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. Remember, gentle movement is key. No strenuous activity. And try to rest."

​Stan walked over to the door, giving the study a pointed look. "I’ll let Alexander know his new security assignment is underway."

​Adrian watched him go, feeling utterly exposed. Alexander’s love was his cage, and Stan had just confirmed the bars were reinforced with genuine emotion and ruthless protection. He was safe, yes, but he was more Alexander’s prisoner now than ever before.

​The moment the front door clicked shut behind Doc. Stan, the house descended into a heavy silence. Adrian picked up his smoothie, taking a slow sip, tasting the lingering fear and the new, confusing sweetness of Alexander’s desperate love. He knew he had to strike while Alexander was emotionally compromised and feeling protective.

​Alexander emerged from the study, looking every inch the powerful, ruthless CEO. He didn’t rush, but his walk was purposeful, his eyes immediately seeking Adrian. He stopped a few feet away, assessing Adrian’s posture, his colour, and the half-finished drink.

​"Did Stan clear you for anything besides passive stretching?" Alexander asked, his voice low and concerned. He ignored the tubes of lubricant he had brought in, letting the sheer absurdity of the gesture hang in the air between them.

​Adrian met his gaze, the remnants of his earlier shame replaced by a cold, calculating resolve. He was playing for freedom, and Alexander had just shown him his emotional hand.

​"He cleared me for work, Boss," Adrian said, using the formal title as a shield. "I finished the press release on the Stirling merger this morning, but I need to start drafting the internal memo summarising the atelier meeting. I need access to the data sheets you were discussing with Ms. Lin."

​He deliberately established a professional distance, forcing Alexander to respect the terms of the new agreement.

​Alexander paused, clearly surprised by the immediate pivot to work. He’d expected tears, accusations, or perhaps more seduction. Not professional efficiency.

​"The data sheets are on my desk, Mr. Cole," Alexander replied, accepting the professional tone. He walked over and sat on the coffee table directly in front of Adrian, his blue eyes intense. "But before you bury yourself in spreadsheets, we have to talk about last night. And Sebastian."

​Adrian held his smoothie glass, his gaze unwavering. "We don’t need to talk about Sebastian, Boss. Doc. Stan made it clear: My focus is on recovery and my duties."

​He leaned forward slightly, dropping his voice to a low, intimate level, reversing the power dynamic. "However, since you’ve chosen to view Sebastian as a threat to your property—and since I am now working toward my freedom under your sponsorship—I need to know how you intend to handle this ’threat’ without endangering me further."

​Adrian used his new knowledge as a weapon. "Sebastian is genuinely interested, isn’t he? He’s gay, kind, and willing to care for me. He represents a safe option. If you are serious about keeping me safe for this year, you need to understand that Sebastian won’t simply go away because you shoved him in a hallway."

​Alexander’s face hardened. Adrian was challenging his strategy, turning his possessive fear into a tactical problem.

​"Sebastian is a distraction," Alexander snapped.

​"He is a rival, Alexander," Adrian corrected softly. "And right now, your jealousy makes you careless. You abandoned me because of it. If you want to neutralise him, you don’t use force; you use business. You need a strategy that makes working for you more appealing and safer than being with him."

​He waited for Alexander to absorb the manipulation. Then, he delivered the next strategic blow, addressing Chloe.

​"And Chloe," Adrian continued, his voice quiet, laced with genuine gratitude for the protection. "Thank you for handling that so swiftly. Stan confirmed she won’t be a problem." He reached out and placed his bandaged hand lightly, briefly, on Alexander’s knee—a fleeting, almost accidental touch that contained a hint of approval. "But please ensure your investigation doesn’t expose my mother or our... previous arrangement to any public scrutiny. I trust your discretion, Boss."

​The light touch and the expression of trust—even if manipulative—was a calculated risk. It was the exact flicker of affection and reliance Alexander craved.

​Alexander stared at Adrian, momentarily stunned by the complex manoeuvring. Adrian had successfully done three things: established boundaries, demonstrated tactical intelligence, and offered a calculated reward—a brief touch and a statement of trust.

​"You are relentless, Adrian," Alexander murmured, his fingers twitching toward Adrian’s hand but stopping short, honouring the boundaries.

​"It’s a necessary quality in my line of work, Boss," Adrian replied, lifting the smoothie glass to his lips, giving nothing away.

​Alexander finally stood up, his gaze intense. "The data sheets are in the study. Your mother’s privacy is absolute; the investigation will be entirely discreet. And Sebastian... I will ensure you have no reason to look elsewhere."

​He walked toward the study, pausing at the door. He didn’t look back, but his voice was a low promise.

​"And for the record, Mr. Cole. I bought the tubes because you asked. And despite Stan’s orders, I will be sleeping in the bed tonight. I won’t touch you. But I need you close. You are the only thing that makes the silence bearable."

​Adrian’s breath hitched. He had won the round, secured his safety, and forced Alexander to concede control while simultaneously admitting his deep, agonising need. Adrian finished the last of his smoothie, the green liquid doing nothing to cool the sudden, complex heat rising in his chest.