Chapter 25
In “Hands Trembled Before Goodbye,” the story begins with Amelia engaged in her morning routine, preparing their home while Adrian is in the bathroom. The tranquility is disrupted when Adrian’s phone vibrates, revealing a call from the automobile repairer. Amelia’s curiosity leads her to inform Adrian, but he reacts with unexpected urgency, snatching the phone from her and displaying a mix of irritation and deeper emotions. This moment leaves Amelia feeling unsettled, her mind racing with questions about Adrian’s true feelings and the nature of the call.
As the narrative shifts to Vivian, she is immersed in her own morning tasks when Adrian storms into her space, visibly agitated. His anger is directed at her for calling him, accusing her of unnecessary interruptions and suggesting that her actions are jeopardizing their relationship. Vivian’s fearful response reveals her vulnerability, as she tries to explain her feelings of being avoided and expresses her longing for their connection. This confrontation highlights the tension between them, as Adrian struggles with his emotions while Vivian seeks reconciliation.
The emotional climax occurs when Vivian attempts to bridge the gap between them through physical affection. Her gentle touch and whispered words of longing gradually soften Adrian’s resistance. The tension begins to dissipate as he responds to her advances, illustrating the complexity of their relationship. The moment of intimacy symbolizes a fragile reconciliation, as both characters navigate their feelings of desire and frustration. The story concludes with Vivian leading Adrian toward her bedroom, leaving behind the chaos of their morning and hinting at the possibility of healing amidst their turmoil.
**Hands Trembled Before Goodbye — Ryan Ellis 25 p>
The day began with the familiar rhythm of morning chores. Amelia was busy changing the bedsheets, fluffing the pillows, and smoothing out the duvet cover with meticulous care. Meanwhile, Adrian was in the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the air as he took his bath. Just as Amelia was about to tuck in the last corner of the duvet, a sudden vibration startled her. It was Adrian’s phone, lying innocently on the dresser atop a well-worn Bible.
Curiosity piqued, she dropped the pillow she had been holding and approached the dresser. Leaning over, she could see the screen lighting up with the name of the automobile guy once again.
“Babe, babe,” she called out, her voice echoing slightly in the quiet of their home.
“Yeah?” Adrian’s voice came back to her, muffled by the sound of water splashing.
“Um, the automobile guy is calling. Should I pick up and tell him to call p>
Before she could finish her thought, the unexpected happened. Adrian burst out of the bathroom, a towel haphazardly wrapped around his waist, droplets of water cascading down his sculpted torso, his expression a mix of urgency and something unreadable.
“No!” he exclaimed, snatching the phone from her grasp with a fervor that made Amelia freeze in place. His eyes locked onto hers, fierce and sharp, as if he hadn’t fully registered the intensity of his actions.
Amelia’s mouth parted slightly, caught off guard, her mind racing.
“It… it is just the automobile repairer, right?” she ventured cautiously, her voice quivering with uncertainty.
“Yes… yeah, it is him.” Adrian avoided her gaze, his eyes glued to the screen. He ran a hand over his wet face, exhaling sharply as if trying to release the tension building inside him. “It’s work-related. I keep telling this… this boy not to call me at odd hours, but he won’t listen.” His tone dripped with irritation, yet the hurried nature of his explanation hinted at something deeper.
Amelia stood there, her heart beginning to race as unease settled into her chest.
He looked back at her, his expression softening, almost apologetic.
“I will handle it,” he assured her, his voice gentler this time.
Amelia remained silent, her mind swirling with questions. She simply raised a hand and gestured toward the bathroom.
“To the restroom,” she murmured, her words barely above a whisper.
Adrian hesitated for a fleeting moment, then turned away, the phone clutched tightly in his hand as if it were a precious artifact. He walked back into the bathroom, leaving behind a trail of wet footprints on the tiled floor before shutting the door with a soft click.
Amelia stood still, her eyes fixed on the closed door, her thoughts racing. She picked up the pillow again, but her movements felt stiff and distracted. As she tucked in the fresh sheets, the scene replayed in her mind, and the question she dared not voice echoed louder within her—*If it was just the automobile guy… why did he panic like that p>
In the kitchen, Vivian was immersed in her own morning routine, whisk in hand, determined to whip up a quick breakfast before her noon lecture. The comforting aroma of fried eggs wafted through the air when suddenly—
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The sound of pounding on her door jolted her so violently that she nearly dropped the pan she was holding.
“What the hell?” she muttered under her breath, abandoning her breakfast and racing to the door, her heart pounding in her chest.
As she twisted the handle, Adrian burst through the doorway, storming past her with a fierce expression etched across his features. Vivian instinctively flinched backward, her hand gripping the doorframe as she tried to process the whirlwind that had just entered her space.
“Why do you keep calling me unnecessarily, huh?” Adrian barked, his tall frame looming over her as she instinctively took a step back. His voice was raw, laced with unrestrained fury.
“Why do you keep calling me, especially in the morning?” He raised his hand in frustration, his agitation palpable. “I’ve told you time and again not to call me, especially not in the mornings p>
His words struck her like a whip, and Vivian cringed, fear flickering across her features.
“Babe, I’m sorry,” she stammered, her voice trembling as she tried to bridge the growing chasm between them. “I… I just felt you were avoiding me, that’s all p>
“Avoiding you?” He scoffed, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “You went through my phone, and now you’re calling me early in the morning, knowing I would still be at home. What is wrong with you? You’re putting us both at risk p>
“I said I’m sorry, babe.” She took a step closer, wrapping her arms around his tense body, her head resting against his chest as if trying to anchor him. “I’m sorry. I miss you. I miss us p>
Adrian’s jaw tightened, his gaze piercing down at her, breath heavy with unspoken words, yet his arms remained stubbornly at his sides.
“You haven’t even touched me since we got back,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. She reached up, guiding his right arm around her waist, desperate for some connection. “You haven’t even touched me since we got back. Why are you punishing me, huh p>
Her lips found his, first soft against his cheek, then lingering on his mustache, coaxing him closer.
“You know I have missed you, huh?” she murmured, her voice a soft plea.
Adrian’s resistance began to waver, his chest rising sharply as she kissed him again, igniting a spark between them. Slowly, almost reluctantly, his arms encircled her waist, pulling her closer, as if afraid to let go.
“You know what you are doing,” he muttered against her lips, the tension in his voice softening just a fraction.
“Babe, I don’t know what I’m doing,” she replied breathlessly between kisses, her fingers tangling in his damp hair. “I just want you p>
And with that, she tugged at his hand, leading him toward her bedroom, the unfinished breakfast in the kitchen fading into oblivion as the world outside fell away.
As the morning light filtered through the kitchen window, the tension that had gripped Adrian and Vivian began to dissolve, replaced by an unspoken understanding that hung in the air like the lingering aroma of breakfast. The confrontation, raw and vulnerable, had stripped away their defenses, revealing the deep-seated fears and desires that lay beneath. Adrian’s initial anger, fueled by anxiety and the weight of unspoken truths, transformed into a fragile connection as Vivian’s gentle persistence broke through the walls he had built around himself. In that moment, their hearts, once heavy with doubt, began to beat in sync once more, rekindling the warmth of their love that had flickered dangerously close to extinguishment.
Meanwhile, Amelia stood alone in her home, the echo of Adrian’s hurried departure still resonating in the silence. The unanswered questions swirled in her mind, leaving a bittersweet taste in her heart. She felt the distance between them widen, yet she also sensed the potential for healing in their relationship. As she finished making the bed, a flicker of hope ignited within her—a belief that love, despite its trials, could triumph over fear and uncertainty. With a deep breath, she resolved to confront the shadows looming between them, ready to embrace the vulnerability that love demanded. In both homes, the morning had brought forth a reckoning, a chance to bridge the gaps that had formed, and to choose connection over isolation, love over fear.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter p>
As the tension between Adrian and Vivian simmers, readers can anticipate a deeper exploration of their tumultuous relationship. Will Adrian finally confront the fears and secrets that have been haunting him since their return? With the stakes raised high after his unexpected outburst, the next chapter promises to delve into the emotional turmoil that lies beneath the surface. As Amelia grapples with her own concerns about Adrian’s erratic behavior, the narrative hints at a brewing storm that could either bring the couple closer together or tear them apart forever.
Furthermore, the arrival of the automobile repairer looms ominously in the background, suggesting that unresolved issues may soon come to light. Will Adrian’s work life collide with his personal struggles, leading to revelations that could change everything? As Vivian attempts to bridge the gap between them, the tension will likely escalate, forcing both characters to confront their vulnerabilities. With secrets waiting to be unveiled and emotions running high, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how these complex relationships will unfold in the face of impending chaos.
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.