Chapter 627
Olivia’s POV
I stared at him.
“She… spoke?” I whispered.
Adrian nodded slowly. “Yes p>
My curiosity peaked. “What did she say p>
“She was at the gala last night,” he explained softly. “I brought her with me. I didn’t think much of it. She usually keeps to herself, doesn’t talk, doesn’t react to anyone p>
He swallowed.
“But when the music started… and you stepped onto the dance floor p>
My breath caught.
“She was the little girl,” he continued, “the one standing near the stage. The one who kept staring at you p>
I suddenly remembered.
A small girl with dark curls and wide eyes, clutching a stuffed toy, watching me the whole time.
“She tugged on my sleeve,” Adrian said. “I thought she wanted to leave. But instead p>
His voice softened.
“She pointed at you p>
My brows furrowed.
“And for the first time since her mother died,” he said quietly, “she spoke p>
I leaned forward without realizing it. “What did she say p>
Adrian’s lips parted, his eyes shining with emotion.
“She said, ’Daddy… dance with her p>
The words hit me like a wave.
“She pointed straight at you, Olivia,” he went on. “Straight at you p>
My chest tightened.
“She hasn’t said a single word in three years,” he whispered. “Not to me. Not to doctors. Not to the healers. Not to anyone p>
I swallowed hard. “And she spoke… because of me p>
“I don’t know why,” Adrian said. “But something about you reached her. Something gentle. Something safe p>
Silence fell between us.
“My daughter thinks you’re special,” Adrian continued softly. “Ever since the gala… she hasn’t spoken again. It was like whatever opened inside her closed right back up p>
A tight knot formed in my chest.
“The healers,” he went on, “and the doctors… they don’t understand it. But they all said the same thing p>
I lifted my eyes to him. “What p>
“That you are our only hope p>
The words settled heavily between us.
“They believe whatever made her speak that night was connected to you,” Adrian said quietly. “Your presence. Your voice. Your energy. Something about you made her feel safe enough to come back to the world, even if it was just for one moment p>
I swallowed hard.
“That’s why I’m here,” he said, finally letting the truth spill out. “Not because of romance. Not because of bonds or politics. I’m here because my daughter needs you p>
He stood up slowly, then did something that shocked me.
He bowed his head.
An Alpha King… bowing to me.
“Please, Olivia,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “Meet her. Talk to her. Sit with her. Even if it’s only once. Even if it’s only twice. The healers will watch. They’ll study how she reacts when she’s around you p>
I rose to my feet without realizing it. “Adrian p>
“She is my life,” he cut in softly. “She is all I have left of my wife. When she stopped speaking, it was like I lost them both p>
His eyes were wet now.
“I don’t care what you want in return,” he said. “Money. Land. Protection. A favor from a king. Whatever you ask, it’s yours. Just… give me my daughter back p>
The room felt too small.
My hands trembled at my sides.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered.
“You don’t have to fix her,” Adrian said gently. “Just be yourself. That’s what reached her p>
The thought of a broken little girl, silent for three years, pointing at me in a crowded room and asking her father to dance with me p>
It made my chest ache.
I closed my eyes. My life was a mess, and I didn’t need any more distractions, but then I thought of that little girl. If I could help, then I had to.
“Let me meet her,” I said quietly.
Adrian’s eyes widened the moment I agreed.
For a second, he looked like he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.
“Thank you,” he said quickly, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you, Olivia. You have no idea what this means to me p>
I lifted my chin slightly, meeting his gaze. “Before you get too relieved… I need to say something p>
He stilled.
“I hope you’re telling me the truth,” I said calmly. “I hope you’re not playing with me or using your daughter to get close to me. Because if you are my eyes darkened, “I believe you know what I’m capable of p>
Adrian didn’t flinch.
He gave a small, serious nod. “I would never lie about my child,” he said. “I’m not playing any tricks. Not with something this important p>
I studied him for a long moment, searching for even a hint of deceit.
I didn’t see any.
“Okay,” I said quietly.
A breath he had clearly been holding slipped from his chest.
“When will you be free?” he asked gently.
“Tomorrow afternoon,” I replied.
“I’ll have my men come pick you up,” he said. “I’ll make sure everything is ready p>
I nodded. “Fine p>
He stood up, gratitude all over his face. “Thank you again, Olivia. Truly. You have no idea what you just did p>
I shrugged. “Hopefully this works p>
“It will. I believe in my heart,” he said without hesitation.
A moment of silence hung in the air before I suddenly spoke.
“Do you need water?” I asked quietly. “Or anything at all p>
He shook his head. “No. I should go p>
I nodded and walked with him out of the living room. His guards were already waiting outside, standing straight and alert beside the black cars.
The morning air was cool against my skin as we stepped outside.
Before getting into the car, Adrian turned back to me. He took both my hands gently in his.
“Thank you,” he said again. “I won’t forget this p>
Then he lifted my hands and pressed a light kiss against my knuckles.
“Goodbye, Olivia p>
“Goodbye,” I replied.
I watched as he got into the car. The doors closed. The engines started. And slowly, the convoy drove away down the long road until their lights disappeared.
I was still standing there when I heard a voice behind me.
“Sounds like wedding bells coming soon p>
I jumped slightly and turned.
Calvin was standing there, a teasing smile on his face.
I frowned. “Don’t even start p>
He laughed. “Relax. I’m joking. But that Alpha King looks very serious about you p>
I crossed my arms. “I’m not interested in him p>
“Maybe not,” Calvin said lightly. “But he’s definitely interested in you, and I can bet you my life p>