Falling for the Goddess

Left at the Villa Gate

Hearing the mockery in Adrian Blake's words, Sara Hart's fingers tightened around the seatbelt, turning white from the pressure. She forced down the bitterness rising in her chest and tried to smile. "No matter what, I still need to thank you."

Adrian Blake gave a soft "hmm," clearly not interested in continuing the conversation.

Sara Hart's gaze dimmed. Outside the window, the neon lights flashed past, and the distant headlights occasionally illuminated the car's interior, allowing her to steal a glance at him in the shadows.

Was this considered a silver lining in the midst of disaster?

Sara Hart never expected that the first time she and Adrian Blake would see each other after getting their marriage license would be in a bar.

She had only gone out tonight because Ella Duvall, heartbroken from a breakup, insisted on dragging her out for drinks. The outfit was Ella Duvall's choice too, insisting that going to a bar required dressing the part. Sara Hart never anticipated the night would unfold the way it had.

Adrian Blake's eyes remained focused on the road ahead, his expression unwavering.

Several times, Sara Hart thought of saying something, but no words came to mind.

"We're here," Adrian Blake said, his voice crisp and emotionless.

"Oh, okay." Sara Hart fumbled with the seatbelt, quickly getting out of the car.

Standing on the stone steps by the roadside, she thanked Adrian Blake again.

"I've told you before," Adrian Blake's voice carried a warning, "you'll get what you deserve, but don't expect anything that isn't yours."

With those words, Adrian Blake stepped on the gas and disappeared into the night.

The meaning behind his warning was crystal clear, without the slightest attempt to soften it. Sara Hart tilted her head back slightly, forcing the tears that threatened to spill to retreat.

From the moment she had agreed to marry him, she should have anticipated all of this. There was no reason to be sad.

Turning around, Sara Hart realized she was standing in front of a completely unfamiliar place—a villa complex with well-maintained greenery. The lawn in front of the villa was neatly trimmed, and roses were blooming along the white fence.

Recognition suddenly dawned on her. This was the villa Adrian Blake's grandmother had picked for them as their marital home.

But she had only been here once, when Adrian Blake's grandmother had taken her to see it. As for Adrian Blake himself, he probably hadn't visited it even once.

If he had, he would've realized there was no sign of anyone living here. None of her things were inside, and certainly no trace of her staying here. He wouldn't have assumed she was living here and dropped her off at the villa gate.

Sara Hart had nothing on her except her phone, which meant she couldn't get in.

When she had visited with his grandmother, she hadn't registered her fingerprint or facial recognition for the security system. While the old lady had given her the keys, Sara Hart had no intention of living there and had left the keys in a drawer at home.

She chuckled bitterly to herself and pulled out her phone, intending to call for a ride.

But after a long wait, no drivers accepted the request. The people who lived in these villas were wealthy, either driving their own cars or having chauffeurs. Hardly anyone around here needed to call a cab, and drivers didn't like coming to these remote areas.

Sara Hart glanced at her phone, trying to think. She hated bothering others, and Ella Duvall was her only close friend. After the amount of alcohol Ella Duvall had consumed tonight, she was likely passed out by now. Sara Hart sighed, putting her phone away, and decided to walk out of the neighborhood.

She wandered around for quite some time but couldn't find the exit. At this hour, the area was eerily empty, not a soul in sight.

Just as she was about to pull out her phone to make another attempt, the sound of screeching tires broke the silence. A sleek, deep-blue Koenigsegg sports car pulled up in front of her.

"Need a ride, miss?"

The driver was a young man with wine-red hair, wearing earrings and a necklace. Despite his flashy appearance, there was nothing crass or vulgar about him. His features were sharp and delicate, and his eyes were particularly bright.

Sara Hart smiled politely. "Thank you, but I've already called for a ride."

She looked down and tried to check her phone, only to find it was dead. No matter how many times she pressed the button, it wouldn't turn on.

"Phone's out of battery?"

His teasing voice made Sara Hart feel a bit embarrassed.

"Yeah, that's a problem," she admitted.

The young man was about to say something more, but before he could, Sara Hart had already opened the door and climbed into the car.

He froze for a second, surprised at how straightforward she was. He'd tried flirting with countless girls before, but this was the first time one had accepted so readily and without hesitation. Then he smiled.

"I'm Ethan Brown. What's your name, miss?"

"Sara Hart."

"Where are you headed?"

"North Capital University."

"You're still in school?" he asked, a bit surprised.

"Mm-hmm."

"Hold on tight!" Ethan Brown warned her as she fastened her seatbelt.

With a roar, the sports car shot off like an arrow, and the sudden acceleration pressed Sara Hart back into the seat. Fortunately, the seat and belt kept her from being thrown around too much.

The engine's loud growl filled the night, and the car was moving so fast that Sara Hart's heart raced. She gripped the seatbelt tightly, her body stiff as she stared straight ahead, not daring to move.

Thankfully, as they approached the main road, traffic thickened, and Ethan Brown had no choice but to slow down.

Ethan Brown glanced over at Sara Hart, noticing her pale face. Despite the terrifying speed, she hadn't made a sound—not even the usual squeals or screams he expected from most girls. She was simply enduring it in silence.

"Aren't you afraid I might be a bad guy?" Ethan Brown asked, curious about how quickly she had accepted his offer.

Sara Hart shifted slightly in her seat, loosening her tense muscles. "Even if you sold me, you wouldn't make enough to buy a single part for this car."

Besides, with her phone dead, if she didn't hitch this ride, she might not have made it home tonight.

Ethan Brown laughed at her response, a carefree, easy laugh.

Sara Hart glanced at him, puzzled by his reaction, but he spoke lazily, "I'm glad you think so highly of my car."

"But," he added with a grin, "you're worth way more than this car, miss."

Ethan Brown dropped Sara Hart off at the gate of North City University. She unbuckled her seatbelt, thanked him earnestly, and got out of the car.

Just as she was about to walk away, Ethan Brown called out to her.

He had also gotten out of the car, leaning lazily against the door, his smile a little roguish. "How about leaving me your number?"

Sara Hart paused for a few seconds, then pointed to her phone, saying seriously, "It's out of battery."

"You can still give me your number. I'll text later," Ethan Brown replied smoothly.

Sara Hart hesitated for a moment, and just when Ethan Brown thought she might refuse, she spoke.

"Alright."