Chapter 6
Adrian didn’t want to sign the divorce papers, I didn’t argue with him and quickly asked my lawyer to file for divorce instead.
I submitted my resignation, but when Adrian refused to accept it, I chose to take a vacation and return to my hometown instead. After spending so much time helping Adrian with his business, I realized I hadn’t taken a proper break in ages.
I stood at the front door with my suitcase, unsure whether to knock, but the door opened by itself.
My mom came out with a bag of groceries.
When she saw me, she stopped for a moment and her expression soured. “Why are you back alone? Where’s Adrian?”
Seeing that I remained silent, she let out a scoff. “Others return home in glory, but you? You just ran back because you couldn’t make it work. Did you have a fight with Adrian and come back in a huff?”
As expected, my mother quickly noticed I was in a bad state but still scolded me in a sharp voice. “I must have really bad luck to have a useless daughter like you! No kids, can’t keep a man and after years of marriage, you’ve never sent any money home. What good are you to me?”
I couldn’t help but retort, “Adrian and I give you a few hundred dollars every year!“W
She scoffed, “Is a few hundred dollars even money? After sleeping with him all these years, is that all you’re worth? How shameless can you be? If I had known you could only give me this much money, I should have never paid for your education. I should have let you go out and earn it yourself!“}
Her harsh words kept ringing in my ears.
I silently watched her mouth move, firing off hurtful words like a machine gun.
realized that I must have been hurt too deeply outside to think I could come home and find some warmth.”
When I turned to leave without saying a word, my mother chased after me and called out.”
Before I could react, she splashed a bucket of cold water at my feet. “Your brother is about to have his winter break. Here’s some water to wash away your bad luck!”
She added, “Don’t think I don’t know that Adrian’s business is booming. If you don’t bring back a hundred thousand dollars this year, you shouldn’t even think about coming home for the New Year!“M
As I walked away, I could still hear my mother shouting behind me, “Don’t waste money. When your brother gets married, you need to buy him a school district apartment in Duskmire!“}}
I clenched my fists but ultimately didn’t bring up the divorce.
Maybe it had been too long since I came home, but I was foolish enough to hope for a word of comfort from my mom.
The cuffs of my pants were wet and cold around my ankles, matching the chill in my heart.
Adrian was so sure I would never leave him, perhaps because he knew he was my only safe harbor. Without him, I had nowhere to go.
I didn’t want to return to Duskmire, so I booked a hotel nearby. When I checked in, I realized it was the same room I once shared with Adrian.”
In my senior year, when we had just started dating, I remembered that on New Year’s Eve, my mom had scolded and hit me over trivial
matters.
As the clock struck midnight, Adrian called me. I was feeling down, but I forced a smile.
On the morning of the first day of the New Year, my mom noticed my red, swollen eyes and angrily scolded me, calling me a harbinger of misfortune.
She and my dad took my younger brother out to celebrate the New Year. I sat at home, lost in thought when suddenly I received a message from Adrian.”
[Look downstairs.]
Confused, I walked to the window and was surprised to see Adrian standing right outside my building.
He had sensed something was wrong in my voice during our last call and had rushed to find me without even packing a bag, taking the night train with just his phone.
When he saw me at the window, he looked up and gave me a gentle smile that melted the frost in my heart.
That day, we held hands and aimlessly wandered through every street near my home. Despite the heavy snowfall and biting cold, being with him felt like I was trapped on a warm spring day.
That night, we stayed in the hotel together.
Outside, fireworks lit up the sky as we talked for a long time, sharing our secrets.}
He looked at me intently and said, “Kieran, let’s get married after we graduate. I want to be with you, forever. We’ll be each other’s only family.”
A knock on the door interrupted my memories. I frowned, not remembering having called for room service.
When I opened the door, I thought I was dazzled.
“Kieran.“%
Adrian stood before me in a deep gray coat, tall and composed.
After a brief moment of shock, I realized my travel app was linked to Adrian’s email, which explained how he could easily track my
whereabouts &
He probably thought I would be touched by his long journey, but I merely replied coldly, “I won’t change my mind. Don’t waste your effort.” His eyes darkened suddenly as he shook his head and pleaded softly, “It’s been so many days; you must have cooled down by now. I miss you. Let’s go home.”
I didn’t understand where he got his confidence. I felt annoyed as I said, “I’ll say this one last time. I’m not angry. I don’t want to see you again. Please leave.”
No matter what, Adrian refused to go. He humbled himself, admitting his mistake,
“I truly realize my mistakes and I swear I will only make this mistake once. I’ve already fired Elara and I won’t see her again! Kieran, please believe me!”
I replied flatly, “I believe you. But the divorce has nothing to do with Elara. Even if you never cheat for the rest of your life, I won’t love you again. Adrian, we’re not compatible.“}
He seemed to think he had heard the biggest joke. “Not compatible? Kieran, you said it yourself; we are the most compatible couple in the world!”
I curled my lips into a mocking smile. “Is that so? At the wedding, you also promised to love and care for me for a lifetime. Have you kept that promise? After I blocked the drinks for you and had a headache all night, you held me and said that once we were rich, you would never let me suffer like that again. Did you keep that promise?”
He was left speechless by my questions, a look of guilt crossing his face.
Both Adrian and I had poor alcohol tolerance, but there were times when we had to drink for business. Especially in the early days of our startup, he had to finish his drink whenever he toasted to someone.
During that time, I had helped him fend off countless drinks at the table.
In fact, many of our long–term clients now were ones I had secured for him back then.}
He had seen me come home after social events, suffering from a splitting headache. He knew all of this, yet he still forced me to drink with Mr. Everhart just to save face for Elara.
Now, everything had changed; those passionate vows made during our romance felt pale and ridiculous.
