Daddy’s billionaire step-brother
Chapter 57: What happens next?

Clara stood in the lavish living room of Adrian's estate in Lake Como, feeling a mix of relief and confusion as Adrian finally arrived after two days of waiting. The estate was more luxurious than she'd ever imagined, with its pristine lake views and attentive staff, yet the opulence couldn't calm the storm inside her. When Adrian stepped through the door, she felt her breath catch, happy to finally see him.

She approached him with a nervous smile, trying to read the stern expression on his face. "Did you do it? Were you able to dissolve the engagement?"

Adrian nodded. "Yes."

Clara's shoulders relaxed in relief. "What about the fines?"

"Don't worry about that," Adrian replied. "I took care of it."

Clara let out a soft sigh and smiled at him. "Thank you... for doing this."

"Of course," he responded, his tone neutral. He looked at her, eyes flicking briefly to her stomach. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Clara said softly, her hand instinctively moving to her belly. "We're just fine."

Adrian's expression didn't change. It was like a wall between them, and she couldn't understand why. "I'm happy to be with you again," she said, her voice tentative, hoping for some warmth from him.

"You should rest some," Adrian said, still distant. "I'll have my assistant schedule all your doctor's appointments from now on."

Clara nodded, but there was a growing unease inside her. "Okay." Adrian turned to leave, but she reached out. "Wait... Adrian, we need to talk. About how things are going to be now... With the baby and everything. We haven't really talked about any of this."

Adrian paused, then turned back to face her, his expression serious. "Alright, I'll tell you how things are going to be from now on."

Clara's heart raced, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.

"We're going to get married," Adrian said, his voice unwavering. "It'll be a private ceremony here in Italy as soon as possible. After that, I'll install you in one of my Mediterranean properties. You and the baby will be safe from the media, from any public scrutiny."

Clara blinked, processing his words. "Married?" she repeated, her voice shaky. "You mean, right away?"

"Yes," Adrian replied firmly. "Everything will be handled discreetly, we need it. You'll live in comfort, and no one will bother you. Not even your father."

Clara's chest tightened. "But... what about us? What about... I don't know... Building a life together?"

Adrian's gaze softened for the briefest moment before he looked away. "We'll figure that out. But first, we need to ensure your safety and the baby's."

Clara's throat felt dry. She had hoped for more than just a strategic marriage, more than just being "taken care of." She wanted the Adrian who once loved her with wild passion, not this cold, calculated protector.

"Is that all you want?" she asked quietly, her voice trembling. "To protect me and the baby, but nothing else?"

Adrian looked at her, his expression torn for a moment, but he didn't answer. Instead, he turned and walked toward the door.

"I'll take care of everything," he said again, before disappearing down the hall, leaving Clara alone in the luxurious space that suddenly felt far too empty.

Clara felt the growing abyss between her and Adrian in Lake Como. Despite being under the same roof, it was as if they lived in separate worlds. She spent more time talking to his assistant, who arranged everything, from doctor's appointments to the wedding preparations, than with Adrian himself. He was often absent, always busy, and even when he was there, his distance was palpable. It was a strange, cold reality she hadn't anticipated.

The assistant had booked the beautiful Chiesa di San Lorenzo, a small, picturesque church nestled in the Italian countryside, for their wedding. It was to be a simple and extremely private ceremony, with no guests. Clara tried to call her father several times, hoping against hope that he would answer, but each attempt ended in disappointment. Despite everything Richard had done to her, a part of her still wanted him to walk her down the aisle. It felt wrong to get married without the man who had raised her, no matter how shattered their relationship had become. But maybe it was for the best.

Adrian's assistant had a whole team from a haute couture atelier coming from France to design Clara's dress. She chose a stunning white silk dress, its loose fit designed to conceal her growing belly, and paired it with a traditional Italian lace veil. The dress was simple yet elegant, understated in its beauty-just like the ceremony that was to come. It was surreal how quickly things had changed. Less than three weeks after her engagement to Henry Caldwell Jr. had been dissolved, she was headed to marry no one but Adrian Belfort, the father of her unborn baby.

As she prepared for the ceremony, Clara looked at herself in the mirror, her hand resting gently on her belly. This was not how she imagined her wedding day would be. There was no joy, no celebration-just a quiet acceptance. The situation wasn't awful and dreadful like her wedding to Henry Caldwell would be... But it wasn't what she had in mind either. She had dreamed of a wedding filled with love, surrounded by family and her very few friends. Instead, she was walking down the aisle alone, marrying a man who felt more like a stranger than the Adrian she had once known. A man who was only marrying her because he got her pregnant.

She knew marrying Adrian was the best thing for her and for her baby, it was the right thing to do... It was what she wanted to do. A part of her just wished he wanted that as much as she did. She sighed softly, her heart heavy as she waited for the boat that would cross the lake to take her to the church.