Chapter 54
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THE dim light of the lounge bar threw long shadows across the leather seats as Adrian slumped into one of them, his shirt collar loosened, a glass of whiskey sitting untouched before him. His friends, Leonard and Jakes, sat opposite, both watching him closely.
Adrian’s face was pale, his eyes carrying the kind of heaviness that no drink could cure. He rubbed his palms together and finally spoke.
“She left,” he said. His voice was hoarse, almost cracked.
Jakes frowned, leaning forward, his elbows resting on the table.
“Left? What do you mean, left p>
“Just like that,” Adrian muttered, staring into the amber liquid before him. “I came home and met the house empty. She took Hazel. Took everything that belonged to her. Left me a note on the bed p>
Jakes blinked, stunned.
“Just like that p>
Adrian’s lips twitched into something close to a broken smile.
“Yeah. Just like that p>
There was a pause as the weight of his words settled into the air. Even Leonard, usually quick to brush things off, sat still for a moment, drumming his fingers against the armrest before speaking.
“What did the note say?” Jakes asked gently.
Adrian exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling.
“She said she needed peace. That she couldn’t find it with me anymore. That Hazel is safe and she will reach out soon. She told me not to call, not to show up… that I wanted this life, so I should live it p>
Jakes shook his head slowly, his lips pressed tight.
“Man p>
Adrian clenched his fists, his jaw taut.
“I even called her mom to… to tell her. Her mother. Do you know how that makes me look? Like I couldn’t even keep my family together. And the worst part? It was better I hadn’t called her myself. Mrs. Harlow… she isn’t the same with me anymore. It is like I’m poison to her too p>
There was silence again, heavy and suffocating. Leonard cleared his throat, then coughed lightly into his fist before leaning back with a dismissive chuckle.
“Don’t torture yourself, Adrian. Women… they are emotional. They react. But all of this-” he waved his hand as though scattering the problem into thin air “-all of this will pass. Time heals scars. Trust me p>
Adrian’s gaze shifted toward him, unamused.
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“What you need now,” Leonard continued, leaning forward, his voice lowering conspiratorially, “is women. More women. They are the cure. They will fill the void, distract your mind, keep you from drowning in all this guilt. Vivian is already there, right? She will manage your excesses. That one seems ready to bear it all. She will keep you steady p>
Jakes groaned, rubbing his forehead.
“Leo, come on. That is your advice? Really? Adrian’s marriage just collapsed. He is not looking for… for fillers. He is looking for answers p>
Leonard shrugged and took a sip of his drink, coughing again lightly before setting the glass down.
“You can preach, Jakes, but at the end of the day, a man is gotta keep moving. And nothing gets a man moving faster than another woman p>
Adrian dragged a hand down his face, his voice sharp but tired.
“I don’t need more women, Leonard. I don’t need distractions. I need to clear my head p>
Jakes nodded, gesturing toward Adrian.
“Exactly. He is saying what is true. Right now, what you need is clarity. Maybe take some time, step back, figure out what you want, what is worth saving, and what is already gone. No rushing, no substitutes. Just… breathe, man. Get your bearings back p>
Adrian swallowed hard, staring at the untouched whiskey.
“That is what I have been trying to do. But every corner of my house reminds me of her. Of Hazel. Of what I have lost p>
Leonard rolled his eyes slightly.
“You talk like it is the end of the world. You are Adrian Cole. You are not the kind of man who crumbles. Vivian is still there, she wants you, she will give you the child, the peace, the affection. Forget Amelia if she doesn’t want to stay. Let her go. Another woman… Vivian, has already taken her place p>
Adrian shot him a sharp look.
“Don’t you dare make it sound that simple p>
Leonard raised his hands in mock surrender, coughing again before chuckling lowly.
“I’m just saying. Sometimes we complicate things that don’t need complications p>
Jakes leaned forward, his tone firmer now.
“Or sometimes we run from the truth because it is easier to numb ourselves. Adrian, listen to me, don’t do what Leonard is suggesting. Don’t drown yourself in meaningless company. You will only make things worse. You will lose yourself in the process p>
Adrian rubbed his temples, caught between their words, his chest heavy.
“I don’t even know who I am right now,” he admitted quietly. “I thought I had everything figured out. But now… now I don’t know where home is anymore p>
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The table went quiet again. Jakes sighed deeply, placing a hand briefly on Adrian’s arm.
“Then maybe finding that, finding yourself should be the first step p>
Leonard smirked, downing the rest of his drink.
“Finding yourself is good. But don’t forget, Vivian is not going anywhere. She will keep you grounded. She will tolerate your mood swings, your silence, your chaos. She is already proving it.” He coughed once more, harsher this time, and reached for a napkin, waving away their concerned glances. “I’m fine. Just a little cold p>
Adrian looked at him, frowning faintly, but said nothing. His own turmoil was heavy enough; Leonard’s cough was just another shadow lingering at the edge of the night.
He leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes for a moment. For the first time in years, he felt small. Broken. The weight of two worlds, one lost, one waiting, pressed down on his chest, and neither Leonard’s laughter nor Jakes ‘counsel could lift it.
And in that dimly lit lounge, Adrian realized: this was only the beginning of a war within himself.
Vivian sat at her dressing table, her reflection gleaming under the soft glow of the vanity lights. Her right hand rested delicately on her belly, her thumb rubbing small, affectionate circles over the slight curve. A smile tugged her lips, one that refused to leave as her eyes softened with warmth.
“My bundle of joy,” she whispered, almost in a song. “My happiness, my open doors. You will be the reason they see me, the reason they recognize me p>
She tilted her head and closed her eyes, as though she could already feel the weight of the child in her arms, hear the laughter that would one day echo through her life. Slowly, she began to hum, the tune soft and tender, filled with a kind of love only she could understand.
Her song was cut short by the sudden buzz of her phone lying on the table. She glanced at it, and the name flashing across the screen made her lips part in delight. Adrian.
She didn’t hesitate. Picking it up, she pressed it to her ear, her voice light and lyrical.
“Hello, baby,” she sang into the phone.
“Vivian,” Adrian’s voice came, deep and steady.
“Oh, it is so good to hear your voice,” she gushed, her hand still protectively on her belly. “How are you? I have been thinking about you all day, waiting for your call p>
“I’m managing,” he replied, sounding weary but composed.
“You sound tired,” she teased softly, her voice dripping with affection. “But don’t worry, I will make everything better when I see you. How is everything going p>
There was a pause, one she thought might stretch into silence, but Adrian finally spoke. His words were direct, cutting through her bubbling chatter like a knife.
“Get ready,” he said. “I will be coming to take you home.” (2
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.