Chapter 5
Julian rushed to the airport, ignoring the attempts to stop him as he made his way to the
information desk.
“Hello, I need to check which flight Adeline Pierce is on.”
His words came quickly, tinged with an uncontrollable urgency,
The staff member gave him a puzzled look and politely refused, “Sorry, sir, we cannot provide passenger information.”
A simple sentence, but it instantly ignited the frustration burning inside Julian. His anger flared up.
“What privacy can’t you provide? I’m her…”
He trailed off halfway, the words catching in his throat, unable to leave his mouth.
Her boyfriend?
Or perhaps… lover?
Julian froze, his face flushing red, then gradually turning pale.
The staff member noticed his reaction but didn’t mind his earlier irritable tone. With polite
professionalism, they gestured for him to leave. “Sir, please step aside. Other passengers need
assistance.”
Julian didn’t resist. He slowly walked out of the terminal.
The cold wind hit him, sending a chill through his bones. He shivered, then belatedly pulled his coat
tighter around himself as he sank down onto a nearby step.
Seabrook’s winters were cold. On a day like this, where could Adeline have gone?
Suddenly, a memory flashed in his mind.
In the early hours of the morning, Adeline, drenched in the rain, stubbornly walked away with her
back straight, step by step.
It must have been colder then than it was now.
He felt a pang of regret. Why had he let things escalate with her over Evelyn? Knowing he was getting married, Adeline hadn’t been happy. Wasn’t that understandable?
Where could she possibly have gone?
With a deep sense of remorse, Julian stood up, stomping his numb feet before walking to a nearby phone booth.
Chapter 5
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The phone rang a few times before it was answered.
“Hello? It’s me, Julian, you…”
Before he could finish, Marcus Pierce’s voice interrupted him.
“Hey, the groom himself! Congratulations. It’s just that I’ve been so busy with work; otherwise, I would have definitely made it to your wedding. Don’t worry, I’ve got a big gift prepared, and it’ll be
there soon.”
Can’t believe after all these years, you and Evelyn are tying the knot. Guess it’s the perseverance. By the way, what’s got you calling me on this day?”
power
of
Julian gripped the phone tighter, his fingers tightening around the receiver.
He could hear the soft friction of the wire.
After a long pause, he finally spoke, “It’s the New Year. Has Adeline come home?”
There was a noticeable pause on the other end.
“Adeline’s back? Haven’t heard anything about that. She really doesn’t know any better. Why would she miss your wedding? After all, you’ve taken care of her for five years; you’re like a brother to
her.”
“Don’t be mad, I’ll talk to her when she gets back. By the way, what flight was she on? When does it land? I need to buy groceries and go pick her up from the airport.”
At Marcus’s words, Julian’s brow furrowed deeper. “Adeline hasn’t contacted you?”
Now Marcus realized something was wrong.
“Wait a minute, Julian. You don’t even know where my sister is, do you? You’ve been so caught up in the wedding that you’ve lost track of her? You really are something! You forget all about everyone else and only care about your wedding!”
Marcus’s voice shot up in frustration, growing louder.
Julian, exhausted, pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a heavy sigh. The lump of guilt and regret in his chest refused to be released.
“I’ve had some disagreements with Adeline these past couple of days. She left this morning, and I don’t know where she went. If you hear anything about her, please let me know.”
Marcus’s temper flared up immediately.
“She’s not emotionally mature!! What kind of argument could you have with her? This is awful, Julian! If Mom and Dad find out, they’ll probably kill me! Julian, I’m telling you, if anything happens to my sister, I won’t forgive you!”
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With that, the phone line clicked, and Marcus hung up abruptly.
