Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137: Soft–hearted

Chapter 137: Soft–hearted

+15 BONUS

The morning sun had barely finished rising when Keegan stood before the tall mirror in his room, fastening the cufflinks on his black dress shirt with precise, practiced fingers. The softness from the day before lingered faintly in his chest, but it was now buried beneath a colder calm armor he wore well.

His tie hung loose around his neck with jacket slung over one shoulder. He looked like a man stepping into war with every intention of winning.

Grace was still on his bed, curled beneath the comforter.

He buttoned his collar slowly with his jaw set.

He had tolerated Akim for years. Endured the jabs, the schemes, the little power plays meant to assert control over something Akim never built. But that patience had thinned to a dangerous thread.

Because now, Keegan wasn’t just protecting a company. He was protecting her.

The thought of Akim, of anyone slandering Grace’s name, even in a whisper, was enough to set fire to every last boundary Keegan had once tried to honor.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door, followed by Xy’s voice.

“Sir, the car is ready.”

“Clear the meeting room,” Keegan replied. “I want Akim alone.”

Xy paused for a breath, then responded, “Yes, sir.” before leaving.

Keegan turned away from the mirror at last with his sharp expression softening the moment his eyes landed on the bed.

There Grace was still curled beneath the covers. Her cheek half–buried into the pillow, breathing slow and even. A mess of hair spilled across the sheets, and the robe he used to claim as his hung loose around her shoulders like it had always belonged to her.

He walked over quietly, his steps light, and crouched beside the bed. For a moment, he just looked at her.

Then he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek. His voice dropped to a whisper.

“Have a good sleep, my love. I’ll be back tonight.”

He pulled away carefully, already straightening to leave-

But the second his weight shifted, Grace stirred.

She blinked slowly, brows scrunching as she stretched under the blankets. “Hm… where are you going?”

Keegan stilled, caught mid–step. He turned back toward her with e softest smile tugging at his lips.

“Work,” he said, keeping his voice gentle. “Back to the jungle.”

Grace squinted up at him, her voice still thick with sleep is it important?”

He paused as if considering. Then answered, “No. But Akim’s there so technically yes. It’s a matter of national security”

That made her chuckle, just a little, before she yawned and tried to it up. He reached out instinctively and tucked the blanket back over her shoulder.

“Don’t get up yet,” he murmured. “It’s early sleep a little longer

Her eyes searched his face, still hazy but curious “You look serings”

He gave a noncommittal shrug, straightening his cuffs again “The’s just my ‘thinking about throwing someone out a window‘

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Chapter 137: Soft hearted

+15 BONUS

face. Don’t worry. It’s very professional.”

Grace let out a sleepy hum. “You sure you’ll be okay?”

Keegan leaned down once more, kissing her forehead this time. “he better question is if he’ll be okay.”

She laughed quietly against his chest and looked up at him once more. “Then… while you’re gone, I want to go somewhere too.”

That made his brow twitch. “Where?”

She hesitated, fiddling with the edge of the blanket. “I was thinking of visiting my old house.”

His face froze.

“…The Blackwood estate?”

She nodded once, slowly.

Keegan stood up straighter with a stern look on his face. “Okay. You can go.”

Grace blinked not expecting his permission that easily. “…Really?”

“But,” Keegan added, holding up a finger like a teacher about to assign extra homework, “take my men with you.”

Grace narrowed her eyes. “How many?”

“All of them.”

Her mouth fell open. “Keegan, you have like… fifty trained guards.

He tilted his head. “Fifty–eight. And they’re all free today.”

She gave him an incredulous look. “You want to send an army with me to visit a house that’s literally empty?”

“I’d send a tank too, if you want,” he said casually, as if logistics were the only issue.

“Overkill,” she muttered, throwing the blanket off her legs and sitting up straighter to glare at him. “Overkill with a capital K.”

“It’s necessary,” he countered, folding his arms. “After what you’ve been through? If you’re walking in there, I’m sending in the cavalry.”

“Keegan,” she groaned, dragging a hand over her face. “I’m not charging into battle. I’m walking through a dusty house. Maybe sitting in the garden for a minute. That’s it.”

“Exactly my point. Dust is unpredictable.”

She gave him a deadpan stare. “Be serious.”

“I am serious. That house isn’t just some old place. It’s a battlefield in your story. And I’m not about to let you march back in there unarmed. You don’t need to fight anymore. You just need to walk and I’ll make sure the path stays clear.”

“Can’t you trust me to handle it alone?” she asked more gently this time.

“I trust you,” he replied with softness in his tone surprising even her. “It’s the ghosts I don’t.”

Grace sighed, falling back onto the bed like she’d just lost an argument with gravity. “I’m just going to look around. Not

summon the dead.”

“You say that,” he said, pacing beside the bed like a general giving orders, “but next thing I know, you’re standing in the middle of that broken old hall having a full emotional meltdown And I’mnot there to wrap you up in a blanket and drive you home like a sad little burrito.”

Grace cracked one eye open. “I’m not a burrito.”

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Chapter 137: Soft hearted–

“You are my burrito,” he declared with pride.

“You’re so weird.”

“Emotionally devastated, actually. But thank you.”

She snorted, despite herself. “You can’t weaponize humor to get your way.”

“Oh, I absolutely can,” he said, pointing at himself. “It’s my greatest defense mechanism.”

They fell into silence just for a moment until Keegan caught that flicker in her expression.

He stepped closer and knelt beside the bed, the teasing edge in his voice melting into something gentler.

+15 BONUS

“I’m not sending an army because I don’t believe in you, darling,” he murmured. “I’m sending them because I do. I know how strong you are. But even the strongest people shouldn’t have to face old wounds alone. And I want to at least feel assured you’re protected if anything goes wrong. Even if it’s just a feeling. Even if it’s just… me needing peace of mind.”

Her eyes flicked to his in understanding.

“Please…” he added, reaching out and gently curling his fingers around hers.

Grace didn’t speak right away. She blinked hard, trying to hold back the flood pressing against her chest. And then her hand tightened in his.

…Fine,” she whispered.

Keegan’s whole face lit up, triumphant. “Aha. Victory is mine.”

But when she looked up at him again his smile faltered just a little. She looked like a pleading puppy and that undid him.

He leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers, sighing in defeat.

“I’ll send two men,” he whispered in surrender. “Three. Tops.”

Grace gave a tiny, tearful laugh. “You soft–hearted liar.”