Do As I Say

"Ms. Edward! It's so good to see you here." Mr. Baker greeted me with a big smile at the front door as I stepped in and sighed.

Home sweet home.

"Likewise, Mr. Baker. Is anyone home?" I asked, taking off my sunglasses and putting them in my bag.

"Ms. Josephine and Olivia are the only ones at home as of now. Mr. Edward and your brothers had to deal with a crisis at the office." He said and I nodded.

"Please don't let anyone know I was here. I need to speak to Josephine privately." I said and saw his concerned face before he nodded.

"Alright, whatever you say. Shall I call them down?" He asked and I nodded.

"Drawing room, please, I can't stay long." I said and he nodded before leaving while I walked around the familiar halls until I reached the drawing room and plopped down on the sofa.

A few minutes later, Josephine entered the drawing room in all her glory, as if she owned the place.

Too bad I did.

"Isabelle, dear, it's so good to see you." She said faking a big smile and I scoffed, internally rolling my eyes.

"Wish I could say the same, Josephine." I said when she sighed, shaking her head before sitting on the couch across me.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" She asked when I sat up straighter.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked straight away, not beating around the bush.

"Doing what?" She feigned innocence, making me scoff.

"Cut the crap. Why are you after my brother's money?" I asked when her eyes lit up at the mere mention of it.

"Oh, I see. I guess you were a good spy after all. George did tell me about your... adventures." She said, clearly judging me.

So they are working together.

"Then you know that I am aware of everything. And I'll say this once, don't do it. Take all my money, everything, including this house and everything else I have, but leave my brothers and Adam out of it." I said gritting my teeth when she chuckled.

"And why would I do that? When I can have the upper hand in the two biggest empires in the world, why would I ever want your money?" She asked cocking her head to a side.

"Because I have a lot of it. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot. Lance doesn't have as much as I do, neither does Arthur nor Tristan." I said with confidence and saw her demeanour falter.

"But not as much as Adam though, do you?" She questioned after a few moments.

No, he's way richer than all of us combined.

"Please, just leave them out of this, take everything from me, I won't say a word to anyone, and you can live peacefully for the rest of your life." I said when she scoffed.

"No thank you. And before I forget, I have to tell you something else as well." She said standing up and looking around the room.

"Leave Adam. And I might spare him." She said and I frowned.

"No, I'm not leaving him. Ever." I said with finality in my voice, standing up and facing her head on.

I was taller than her, and I could see her squirm the longer she looked into my eyes before she huffed and looked away, making me smirk in victory.

Gets them every time.

"You will leave him or you know what will happen? I think George has given you a little idea of what will happen to him. Actually, let's just say he's going to give you a little trailer right now." She smirked viciously and I narrowed my eyes at her.

What is that supposed to mean?

"You will do as I say or-" She started but I felt fury take over me as I stepped closer to her threateningly.

"Or what? You'll kill me? Go ahead. Nothing has ever stopped you before from striking me. Come on, do it! Fucking hit me!" I yelled, my voice echoing in the large room and she stepped back a bit.

"Why are you stepping back now? What has ever made you step back before? I'll tell you what, nothing. So I dare you, hit me, and let's see if you live to see another day." I said lowly when she gulped.

She scowled, raising her hand to slap me but the strike never came when someone caught her hand before she could hit me.

"Touch her, and I'll make sure you never existed in this world." Lance snarled from behind me while I stared her down.

"L-Lance, son, what are y-you doing?" She stuttered when he shoved her back wrapping a protective arm around me.

"Don't fucking call me your son. Gather your stuff and fucking get out of my house." He sneered when she gasped.

"You father will never allow it!" She said panicked but Lance chuckled darkly.

"I will deal with my father by myself." He said before pinning her down with his glare.

"You have half an hour to get the fuck out of here with your daughter." He gritted out as Tristan and Arthur stood behind us and she looked at them.

"Tristan, my son-"

"Don't. Don't come near me. You are not my mother. You never were, were you?" Tristan spat and she stumbled back confused.

"W-what do you mean?" She asked confused when Tristan scoffed.

"I got a DNA test done. My father had me with another woman, and you only kept me because I was in their father's good graces, so I would get a share in his money, didn't you? And because my real father's money would come to me." Tristan said gesturing to us and I gaped at him in disbelief.

I knew he couldn't be Josephine's biological son, he was too good for them.

"But I loved you like my own!" She said frustrated when Tristan chuckled.

"Really? Did you now? I loved you like my own, only to realise you only loved the money that came with me, not me." He spat with distaste before storming out of the room.

"Isabelle." Lance called to me, keeping his eyes on Josephine.

"Go to your room. I need to finish up business here." He said coldly.

I immediately obliged, leaving the drawing room and going up to my room, but stopped mid way, turning around and making my way to Tristan's instead.

"Tristan? It's Belle. Can I come in, please?" I knocked on his door a few times and heard his gruff come in as I opened the door and stepped in, closing the door softly behind me.

Tristan was hunched over the railing of the balcony of his room and I carefully walked up to him, leaning on the railing and looking at the view with him.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" He looked at the sunset and I nodded, resting my head against his shoulder as his arm wrapped around me.

"It is." I said when he sighed, resting his head on top of mine.

"You know... I knew you could never be related to that witch anyway." I said and he released a breathy chuckle.

"I know right, I'm too amazing for them." He said smiling at me but I could notice the pain behind his smile and the redness in his eyes.

"Yeah, you are." I whispered, pecking his cheek when he released a shaky breath.

"It sucks like hell, you know. To suddenly find out that your mother isn't actually your mother..." He said and I nodded.

"I wish I could tell you it'll be alright, but I know that won't actually make things better, so I'll just stay with you as long as you want instead." I said and saw his small smile.

"Thank you, Isabelle." He said.

"Don't thank me. I'm not letting you go that easily anyway. And besides, sisters have to annoy their older brothers, right?" I said and heard his small chuckle as he nodded.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." He said as we both looked out at the sunset, but the dread setting in my stomach was anything but nice.

* * *

'Your beloved is in the hospital, go visit him, will you? And give him my best.'

I read the message multiple times, my blood running cold as I dialled Adam's number again and again and again, but he wouldn't pick up, and all my calls went to voicemail.

Please be alright.

Heart beating fast, I ran out of my room and straight into the study where my brothers were and they all stood up concerned when they saw my panicked state.

"A-Adam, h-he's.... H-he's not picking up, please-"

"Calm down Belle, come here." Arthur pulled me to him while Tristan's dialled Adam's number, but he still didn't pick up.

"I'm sure he's busy at work, sweetheart-" Lance tried to calm me down but I shook my head furiously.

"No, I know something is wrong, Lance, please, find out quickly." I said exasperated and he pursed his lips before taking out his phone and at the same time, it rang as he glanced at me.

"Lance Edward." He spoke in the phone, his frown deepening with each passing second when his eyes widened and he looked at me worriedly.

"Alright, we're on our way." He said and hung up.

"Who was that?" Arthur asked.

"Aidan Thorne, Adam's been in an accident on his way home, he's in the hospital." He said putting on his blazer while my whole body shook.

"H-He can't..." I stumbled back a step but Arthur held onto me.

"Listen to me Belle, you need to be strong, we're going to him, but I need you to be strong, okay?" Arthur told me and I nodded, following my brothers outside and all of us got in Lance's car.

The ride to the hospital felt like forever but in reality was only twenty minutes long and we were instantly swarmed with reporters who were standing outside the hospital as soon as we reached.

"Shit, these parasites." Tristan muttered as the driver looked around for a good parking space.

"I-I need to go in, please." I pleaded looking at Lance who nodded and looked at Arthur.

"Go with her, we'll join you." He said and both Arthur and I got out of the car, ignoring the flashing cameras and questions being thrown our way as we raced inside the hospital.

Arthur quickly asked for directions and we were on our way to the VIP area not long after, taking the stairs instead of the elevators.

"Ave?" I questioned when I saw her walking nervously in the long hallway. When she saw me, something like relief passed her face as she came and pulled me into a hug.

"Thank god you're here." She whispered holding me tight before pulling away.

"A-Adam, is h-he alright?" I asked and she pursed her lips, her eyes glossing over.

"The doctors said he'll be okay, but he's hurt, Belle. He was asking for you a lot and wouldn't let anyone near him." She said, her voice breaking.

"Where is he?" I asked.

"This way." Aidan came walking up to us and we followed him, stopping in front of a brown wooden door.

"You can go in. I think he's asleep right now." Aidan said and I mumbled a small thank you before taking a deep breath and stepping inside.

My eyes looked around the posh room before settling on the man lying in the middle of a hospital bed, a cast on his left arm and bandages wrapped around his forehead and leg even one around his torso.

My eyes burned with unshed tears as I slowly walked over to him, noting his pale face and busted lip, his eyes closed and a small frown marring his features.

As if sensing my presence, his eyes fluttered open, revealing those gorgeous midnight blue orbs as a small sob broke out of me.

"Baby." He whispered, forcing a small, yet pained smile as I stalked closer to him.

"Are you okay?" I whispered when he took hold of my hand with his right one, squeezing it lightly to make me stop talking as he pulled me towards him.

"I'm okay now that you're here." He whispered, his thumb stroking my knuckles but I shook my head, a tear falling down my eyes when I glanced at the numerous bandages on him again.

Sighing he moved to a side and patted the space beside him. Hesitantly, I carefully got in beside him as he covered us both with his blanket, wrapping an am around me as I rest my head against him.

"I was so scared." I whispered when he placed a kiss on my forehead before inhaling deeply and releasing a shaky breath.

"I know baby, but I'm fine. I'm okay now, see." He said and I snuggled deeper into him and looked up at him.

"But you're hurt..." I whispered as he wiped away my tears and leaned down to capture my lips with his, kissing me like his life depended on it before pulling away and resting his forehead against mine.

"Just a bit. And besides, I have you to take care of me, don't I?" He said and I nodded, pecking his lips once more.

"Always." I whispered and saw his brief smile as his lips brushed against my cheek softly.

"I feel so much better now that you're here. I love you." He whispered, looking deep into my eyes but I couldn't say it back, not yet.

I just hoped he could see it in my eyes.