Falling for the Goddess

Can't Find Her

Madam Blake turned, tapping her cane against the floor.

"If I hadn't come, were you planning never to go back?"

Adrian Blake stayed silent. He had indeed decided not to return. The villa was now as good as Sara's alone.

Madam Blake looked at him, her tone laced with concern. "My health isn't what it used to be. All I want is to know that someone is there for you. If you and Sara are happy, I'll have peace of mind."

"You two seemed fine last night. What happened?"

Adrian pressed his lips into a thin line, not answering.

Madam Blake could only guess. "Did the medicine not work? It shouldn't have failed..."

Adrian lifted his gaze sharply. "Medicine? What do you mean?"

Madam Blake's expression shifted, feeling slightly exposed. "Didn't you and Sara...?"

"Could it have been too strong and gone wrong somehow?"

Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying that you're behind... last night's...?"

Madam Blake saw the realization dawn in his eyes. "You thought Sara was the one who drugged you?"

His expression darkened.

"She's such a well-behaved girl. If she had the guts to do something like that, I wouldn't be worrying day and night!"

"But the milk..."

Madam Blake stayed composed. "I had Alice prepare the milk. It wasn't just that - the chicken soup last night had something in it too."

They had both drunk the soup, but to be sure it would work, Madam Blake had Alice Miller add more to the milk. Sara wouldn't lose control entirely, but Adrian had clearly been affected.

Seeing his reaction, Madam Blake pieced things together. "So you thought Sara drugged you? And what exactly did you say to her?" She looked at him with disappointment. If he hadn't said something hurtful, Sara wouldn't have left and shut her phone off.

Adrian recalled her wounded look, the marks left on her skin, and his heart grew heavy.

"I..."

Madam Blake pressed on, "She's just a delicate girl. Whether you hurt her physically, you know that best yourself. But sometimes the pain of words cuts deeper than any bruise."

Adrian lowered his gaze, knowing that in his anger, he hadn't held back. He remembered how Sara had cried softly, saying it hurt.

"Sara's phone is off, and she's gone. If you can't bring her back, then don't bother coming home either. I'll consider myself without a grandson." Madam Blake stood, her tone strict.

After a long look at him, she softened, adding, "I'm not pushing you. I only wish for you to open up and stop torturing yourself."

"A partner will bring you peace, and that's all I want for you. But I can't let you marry just anyone. I only want someone good-hearted by your side."

"If you'd just make an effort to see it, you'd realize what a wonderful girl Sara is. Someday, you'll understand." With a final sigh, Madam Blake let Alice guide her out.

"You know what you need to do. When we make mistakes, we make it right." She gave him a stern nod before leaving.

After she was gone, Adrian stayed rooted in place, a mixture of guilt and regret tightening around him like a net.

With his grandmother's words echoing in his mind, Adrian picked up his phone and hesitated before dialing Sara's number.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable..."

Her phone was still off.

A heavy weight settled in his chest. He'd let his anger take over last night without thinking how it might hurt her. She had been in such pain. She probably felt utterly humiliated and betrayed.

At the very least, he owed her an apology and needed to know she was safe.

Grabbing his keys, Adrian headed to Northern City University.

---

At the Chemistry Lab Building, Adrian knocked on the door of an office. When a few staff members turned around and recognized him, they looked momentarily stunned.

"Is Sara Hart here?" he asked.

A staff member nearby replied, "You're looking for Sara? She's taken the day off."

"She's not here? Do you know where her dorm is?"

"She doesn't live on campus," he replied, though uncertain of her exact location.

Adrian thanked him and walked outside.

Standing on the path near the lab building, Adrian thought of the last time he'd been here when Lucas Graves had suggested he take a look at her. Maybe he should have done it then.

She wasn't at the villa, she wasn't at school, and her phone was still off.

Only now did Adrian realize that apart from her name and major, he knew almost nothing about Sara.