Chapter 18
In “Hands Trembled Before Goodbye,” Adrian arrives at Vivian’s apartment complex, filled with a mix of anxiety and determination as he prepares to support her during a medical appointment. Vivian emerges, looking radiant yet vulnerable in a sundress, and their interaction reveals a complex emotional landscape. Adrian tries to maintain his composure as they drive to the hospital, but the tension is palpable, underscored by their unspoken fears about Vivian’s health. Despite the lightness of their conversation, both are acutely aware of the gravity of the situation, creating an atmosphere of unease.
Upon reaching the hospital, the familiar buzz of activity amplifies Adrian’s anxiety. He attempts to stay focused on the task at hand while Vivian’s nervousness becomes increasingly evident. Their dynamic shifts when Vivian is called in for tests, prompting Adrian to step outside, where he unexpectedly encounters Claire, his sister-in-law. This meeting introduces a layer of tension; Claire’s playful suspicion hints at her awareness of Adrian’s secret relationship with Vivian. Adrian struggles to maintain his composure, deflecting her probing questions while feeling the weight of his deception.
As the story progresses, Adrian’s internal conflict intensifies. He is torn between his responsibilities to both Vivian and his family, particularly as Claire’s playful teasing takes on a more serious tone. The encounter leaves him rattled, amplifying his anxiety about being discovered. When he returns to Vivian, her anticipation of the test results contrasts sharply with his turmoil. He tries to reassure her, but his mind races with the implications of Claire’s suspicions and the precariousness of his situation.
The chapter culminates in a sense of urgency as Adrian drives Vivian home, his grip on the steering wheel tightening with every passing moment. While Vivian remains blissfully unaware of the underlying tension, Adrian is haunted by the fear of exposure and the fragility of his double life. The emotional stakes are high as he grapples with the possibility of everything unraveling, leaving readers on edge about what might happen next.
**TITLE: Hands Trembled Before Goodbye — Ryan Ellis 18 p>
The late morning sun cast a warm glow over the sky as Adrian parked his car in front of Vivian’s apartment complex. He pressed the horn once, a sharp yet muted sound that wouldn’t attract unwanted attention. Just moments later, the door swung open, and Vivian stepped out, a vision in a fitted sundress that hugged her curves perfectly. A light scarf was draped casually around her neck, and oversized sunglasses obscured half her face, adding an air of mystery. She carried a petite handbag, clearly too small to hold more than her phone and a tube of lipstick.
As she slid into the passenger seat, a faint smile flickered across her lips.
“You came,” she said softly, her voice a mixture of relief and surprise.
“I said I would try,” Adrian replied, his tone steady as he shifted the car into gear. His gaze flickered to her for a brief moment before returning to the road ahead. “How are you feeling p>
“A bit light-headed,” she confessed, her hand instinctively brushing across her stomach. “But at least I don’t feel like throwing up anymore p>
“Good,” he muttered, tightening his grip on the steering wheel, a gesture that betrayed his own anxiety. “Let’s just get this done quietly. The sooner we know what’s wrong, the better p>
The drive to the hospital was suffused with tension, punctuated by short exchanges that felt inadequate against the weight of their unspoken fears. Adrian’s phone buzzed twice with business notifications, and each time, Vivian shot him a quick, sharp glance. He ignored her stare, his focus locked on the road, but inside, he was restless.
Upon arriving at the hospital, the reception area buzzed with its familiar rhythm. Nurses hurried past, patients sat in various states of weariness, and the soft hum of hospital announcements floated through the air like a constant reminder of the gravity of their situation. Adrian kept his head down, dark shades shielding his eyes from recognition.
Vivian leaned in closer, her voice a whisper.
“You look like a celebrity sneaking in for plastic surgery p>
“This isn’t a game, Vivian,” he hissed, his voice low and urgent. “Let’s just get this over with p>
After a brief check-in, the receptionist directed them toward the gynecology section, and soon they found themselves seated in the waiting lounge. Vivian crossed her legs, her foot tapping restlessly against the floor, while Adrian buried himself in his emails, trying to distract himself from the gnawing anxiety that was settling in his gut.
When Vivian’s name was finally called, Adrian stood and guided her inside. The doctor, a middle-aged woman with a warm smile and a calm demeanor, greeted them. She began asking a series of questions, her pen moving swiftly across the notepad as she took notes. After a few moments, she instructed Vivian to undergo some preliminary tests.
It was then that Adrian felt the need to excuse himself.
“I’ll wait outside. I need to make a call anyway,” he said, attempting to sound casual.
Vivian nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips as if his presence provided her with some comfort, though her nervousness was evident in the way her polished nails tapped against the arm of the chair.
Once outside, Adrian walked toward a quiet corner of the hospital courtyard, where the signal was stronger. He pulled out his phone, dialing one of his managers to discuss logistics for the automobile contract. His voice was low, clipped, and professional, a façade that masked the turmoil brewing inside him.
But halfway through the call, a familiar voice interrupted him.
“Adrian p>
He froze, the sound sending a jolt of panic through him. Slowly turning, he spotted Claire, his sister-in-law, standing just a few feet away, a small paper bag from the hospital pharmacy clutched in her hand. Her brows lifted in surprise, but her lips quickly curled into a polite smile.
“Claire,” Adrian said, forcing his voice to remain even as he pocketed his phone. “What a surprise p>
“More like what are you doing here?” she replied, tilting her head slightly, her tone playful yet laced with suspicion.
Adrian chuckled lightly, sliding his hands into his pockets to hide the flicker of panic that threatened to surface.
“Company cars. One of the drivers brought me a report yesterday about some issues. I asked the automobile to come here for a checkup on his wife, so I thought I would meet him halfway p>
Claire raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched across her features.
“At the hospital p>
“Yeah,” Adrian replied smoothly, forcing a casual tone. “We had to cross-check some documents. It was convenient for him. Nothing serious p>
For a long moment, Claire scrutinized him, as if weighing the validity of his explanation. She knew more than he realized; after all, she had been the one encouraging Vivian’s reckless confidence, whispering words of encouragement whenever doubt crept into Vivian’s mind about their affair. Yet, here she stood, wearing innocence like a well-crafted mask.
“Oh, I see,” she finally said, a light laugh escaping her lips. “Business never really stops for you, does it p>
“You know how it is,” Adrian replied with a small, dismissive shrug.
Claire stepped closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
“You look… nervous. You sure you’re not hiding something from my sister p>
Adrian’s jaw tightened, but he managed to maintain a smirk, albeit forced.
“Claire, come on. If anyone deserves honesty, it’s Amelia. I wouldn’t risk that p>
She studied him, her smile faint but unreadable, as if she were trying to decipher a riddle.
“Good. Because if she ever found out something was… off, she wouldn’t forgive easily. You know Amelia p>
“Yes, I do,” Adrian replied firmly, locking eyes with her. “And I don’t intend to give her any reason to doubt me p>
A silence settled between them, heavy and thick, more oppressive than the sterile white walls of the hospital that surrounded them. Then Claire broke the tension with a laugh, shaking her head lightly.
“Relax, Adrian. I was only teasing. You look like you’re about to bite my head off p>
Adrian exhaled slowly, forcing a chuckle that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Maybe I just didn’t expect to run into family here. It took me off guard p>
Claire adjusted the strap of her handbag, giving him a sly look that hinted at her playful nature. “Hospitals have a way of making people uncomfortable, don’t they p>
Before he could respond, her phone rang, cutting through the moment. She excused herself with a wink, stepping aside to answer the call, her voice soft yet urgent. Adrian turned away quickly, pretending not to listen, the weight of the encounter still heavy on his shoulders.
When he returned inside, Vivian was already waiting in the lounge, her eyes wide with anticipation. The moment he approached, she grabbed his arm, her grip firm and reassuring.
“Well?” Adrian asked, his heart racing.
“The doctor said I will need to wait for the test results,” she whispered, her voice tinged with anxiety. “She’ll call me back in a couple of days, or probably tomorrow p>
“Good,” he muttered, trying to sound calm. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there p>
Vivian leaned in closer, the scent of her perfume enveloping him like a warm embrace.
“Thank you for coming with me. You don’t know how much it means p>
Adrian glanced around nervously, acutely aware of every passerby, every potential eye that could recognize him. He lowered his voice, urgency creeping into his tone.
“Let’s get you home before someone recognizes me p>
She pouted slightly but followed him obediently toward the exit, sensing his unease.
Outside, Adrian’s gaze swept across the courtyard, and there, in the distance, he spotted Claire again, her back turned as she animatedly spoke on the phone. Panic surged within him, and he quickly turned Vivian toward the car, urging her to move faster.
Vivian noticed the urgency in his steps, concern flashing across her face.
“What is wrong p>
“Nothing,” Adrian replied curtly, his tone clipped. “Just… nothing p>
As he drove away, his grip tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles white against the dark leather. He replayed Claire’s words in his mind, her playful suspicion and sly looks echoing ominously. He didn’t like it—not one bit.
Vivian, blissfully unaware, hummed softly beside him, engrossed in her phone. But Adrian’s thoughts were anything but calm. He told himself that Claire hadn’t seen them together, but how long could he maintain this delicate balance without it all crashing down around him?
In the aftermath of their hospital visit, the weight of unspoken truths hung heavily in the air between Adrian and Vivian. As they drove away, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows that mirrored the uncertainties looming over their relationship. Vivian’s innocent hum filled the car, a stark contrast to the tempest of guilt and fear swirling within Adrian. He wrestled with the knowledge that their fragile secrecy was a ticking clock, one that could unravel at any moment. Each glance at Vivian, lost in her own world, deepened his internal conflict; he wanted to protect her, yet the very act of doing so felt like a betrayal to the life he had built elsewhere. The warmth of their earlier connection now felt tainted, as if every shared smile was undercut by the looming specter of his deceit.
As they approached Vivian’s apartment, Adrian’s heart raced, a chaotic mix of longing and dread. He parked the car, the engine’s quiet hum a stark reminder of the silence that enveloped them. Vivian turned to him, her eyes bright with gratitude, completely unaware of the storm brewing within him. “Thank you for being here,” she said, her voice soft and sincere. In that moment, Adrian felt the weight of his choices pressing down like a heavy shroud. He realized that the emotional arc they had traversed together—filled with moments of tenderness, fear, and uncertainty—had led him to a precipice. With a deep breath, he met her gaze, knowing that the path ahead was fraught with peril, yet also filled with the possibility of truth. As he stepped out of the car, he understood that whatever happened next would define not only their relationship but also the man he wished to become.
In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Adrian grapples with the precarious nature of his double life. With the weight of his secrets pressing down on him, the stakes will rise significantly when Vivian receives the results of her tests. The looming uncertainty about her health will not only test their relationship but also force Adrian to confront the fragility of his carefully constructed facade. How will he navigate the delicate dynamics of his affair while ensuring that Amelia remains oblivious to the truth?
Moreover, Claire’s growing suspicions will add another layer of complexity to the narrative. As she continues to probe into Adrian’s life, her playful demeanor may shift to something more serious, pushing him to the brink of revealing his hidden truths. Will Claire become an unexpected ally or an adversary in his quest for secrecy? The chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional turmoil that Adrian faces, as he attempts to balance his feelings for both women while the walls of his deception begin to close in around him. Expect unexpected twists and heart-wrenching choices that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what lies ahead for Adrian and Vivian.
Olivia Harris
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.