Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 65: Plan succeed

"Stop him," I shouted into the phone.

What was I thinking? If he told her, I'd be exposed.

"Wait," Adeline shouted at him.

"Why?" Derek asked, his voice tinged with confusion. I could feel his hesitation even through the distance.

"Don't let him tell you. After all, you didn't tell him either. Just ask if his mate was a bad person like yours."

I held my breath, waiting for Derek's response.

"And was your mate a bad person?" Adeline's voice was calm, curious but firm. "You don't need to tell me who it is; after all, it's in the past. But you can answer the question."

A heavy silence hung in the air before he spoke again. "No, not bad. There are reasons even she doesn't know. It's about the past; we're not the right people for each other."

"I understand."

"Yes, don't push him further. Change the subject."

The evening continued in a delicate dance, with me feeding Adeline lines through her earpiece. I watched from my hidden spot, carefully observing every word exchanged between her and Derek. It felt like a game—a game where every word mattered, and the stakes were impossibly high.

At one point, Derek laughed—a deep, genuine laugh that startled me so much I nearly choked on my water. It wasn't just any laugh; it was the kind that made your chest tighten and your thoughts scramble. I hated how much it affected me.

By the time dinner ended, I couldn't deny it: Adeline was doing an excellent job. I felt a strange mix of pride and sadness. She was getting what she wanted, but at what cost to me?

Of course, this wasn't what I wanted. But I had no choice. All I could do now was wait for Adeline's reaction the next day and hope I could somehow channel her happiness into a win for myself.

I sound like a terrible person, don't I?

That night was torture. I had a nightmare—a vivid, heart-wrenching vision of Derek and Adeline at their wedding. The ceremony was a grand affair, with flowers and music. Everyone was celebrating their union while I was locked in a dark, damp cell in the underground prison.

At least if I were sharing the cell with the rogue I needed to interrogate, I might have made some use of the nightmare. But no, it was just me, alone with my thoughts.

One thing was certain: I couldn't let Adeline find out the truth—that I was Derek's rejected mate. Nothing was more dangerous than a woman in love with an army at her disposal.

The next morning, my phone buzzed with a message from Adeline.

"Deniz, thank you so much for yesterday. Like I said, you can ask me for anything. Come by around noon, and we'll talk. Red heart."

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and read the message again. She seemed sincere, but how would I ask for what I truly needed?

Later that day, I stood by the car, waiting for Adeline to come down the stairs. My mind was racing, filled with a million ideas about how to phrase my request. She said I could ask for anything, but would she really grant this?

"What's with that look?" she asked, descending the stairs, her sharp eyes locking onto mine.

I straightened up, still unsure how to start. "I... need your help," I began, my tone cautious.

Her brows furrowed in curiosity. "What is it?"

"I need to talk to someone," I explained. "But that someone isn't exactly... here."