Chapter 65
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THE door knob turned with a soft click, and the door swung open. Adrian stepped in, moving with his usual casual, careless air, completely ignoring the pregnant woman seated on the bed. His hands fumbled with the buttons of his crisp white shirt, the motion slow, deliberate, as though he were in a world entirely his own.
Vivian’s eyes narrowed, the sharp edge of her anger cutting through the exhaustion of the night.
“5:30, Adrian,” she said, her voice steady but icy, not once glancing at him. “You didn’t even think about us all night. What if something bad had happened p>
He turned his gaze toward her briefly, annoyance flickering in his eyes.
“Well… nothing happened to you. You are fine. And the baby is fine,” he said, shrugging, as though that settled everything.
Vivian pushed herself up from the bed, her hands braced on her hips. She stepped closer, her voice rising with every word.
“That is not the point. You are never home. You are acting like this is all normal. Is this how you want to raise a family, Adrian? By disappearing and leaving us to worry p>
He didn’t even flinch. Instead, he turned fully to her, face tight with impatience.
“Can you please… just stop? I don’t have the energy for this, okay? You are fine. Nothing is wrong. You are pregnant, not dying. Please… just chill p>
Vivian’s mouth fell open, her breath catching in disbelief.
“Really?” she asked, her voice quivering between shock and fury. “Really? I called you, texted you, worried myself sick, and you ignored me all night. And now you walk in here like you are single and I’m just some tenant p>
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply.
“You see, this whole nagging thing is becoming too much. You need to chill p>
Vivian’s fists clenched, knuckles whitening as she stepped closer, her body tense.
“Oh! So now I’m nagging. Well, go ahead… finish it! Am I becoming like Amelia now? Huh? Go ahead, say it!” 1
Adrian, tired of the rising tension, pivoted sharply and started toward the bathroom. His movements were deliberate, leaving no room for her words to catch him.
“Adrian! Don’t you dare walk out on me!” Vivian shouted, voice cracking, her eyes following his every step. She planted herself firmly, feet braced against the floor, but he kept moving, unbothered by her pleas.
She took a step forward, hand outstretched, but he reached the door and opened it, pausing only briefly to glance back with a look of detached irritation. Then, without a word, he went in and closed it behind him, leaving Vivian staring at the empty doorway.
Her body sagged against the bed, hands clutching her baby bump as frustration, fear, and hurt collided inside her. She could feel her heart racing, every beat a thunder in her chest. The apartment was quiet, but the silence was heavy, pressing down on her.
Vivian sank to the bed, her back against the headboard, staring at the floor.
“I… I can’t believe him,” she whispered to herself. Her hands trembled as she wiped at the tears threatening to spill. “How can he just… walk away? Just like that p>
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The anger in her chest refused to dissipate, churning with every heartbeat. Her eyes scanned the room, settling on the little things Adrian had left behind, his tie tossed on the dresser, his shoes by the wardrobe, the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the air. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
Her stomach fluttered, the baby moving gently as though sensing her turmoil. She placed a hand over her bump, breathing deeply to steady herself.
“No,” she whispered, voice trembling but firm. “I can’t let this… I won’t let this p>
Vivian rose, pacing the room with small, deliberate steps, her mind racing. Each step a rhythm, each breath a reminder of the little life depending on her. She stopped by the window, looking out at the city lights, the hum of traffic below contrasting sharply with the storm inside her.
She clenched her fists, knuckles white, as she muttered, “I’m not Amelia. I’m not… I won’t be ignored, Adrian. Not me. Not the baby. Not anymore.” Her gaze hardened, eyes blazing with a newfound determination. “I need to make him understand… he can’t just, he can’t just treat us like this p>
Vivian returned to the bed, sitting at the edge, hands resting protectively on her baby bump. The room felt empty, cold, yet she refused to let the chill creep into her resolve. The fear, the worry, the anger, they were all fueling her now, sharpening her focus.
The sunlight filtered gently through the sheer curtains of the living room, falling softly on the beige carpet and the cream-colored sofas. Vivian sat upright, her back against the plush couch cushions, baby bump visible beneath her flowing blouse. Across from her, Fiona sat with a relaxed poise, a thermos of tea balanced in her hand, her legs crossed neatly, hair falling over one shoulder. The two friends had not seen each other in months, and yet the familiarity between them was instantaneous.
“I’m glad you came, Fiona,” Vivian said, her voice carrying both relief and a hint of urgency. “I really needed someone… someone I can talk to p>
Fiona smiled, leaning back into her seat.
“You made it sound so dramatic on the phone, Vee. I was worried something serious had happened. You know I wouldn’t just leave you to stew p>
Vivian let out a small chuckle, though it was tinged with worry.
“It is more than dramatic, Fio. There is something off about Adrian. I… I don’t know how to explain it p>
Fiona raised an eyebrow.
“Off how? He is still coming home, isn’t he p>
Vivian shook her head.
“He comes home really late, claiming he is with the boys. And Leonard, God, that one. You know his type, he changes women like they are shoes in a store p>
Fiona laughed, a short, knowing laugh.
“But that is exactly what happened with Amelia, or have you forgotten? You even used to laugh about it when she was going through it p>
Vivian’s eyes hardened.
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“That is Amelia. I’m not her. I’m not just some woman with a ring and a child. I’m his peace. I love him, and he loves me differently. I’m not just… an addition to his life, Fio. I’m… everything he is building towards p>
Fiona pursed her lips thoughtfully.
“Mm… are you sure about that? Because love alone doesn’t stop a man from cheating, Especially not with friends like Leonard or Jakes. You even told me yourself, remember? These men, Adrian included, they thrive on attention, on women around them. You know how it works.” 1
Vivian let out a long, tired sigh, her hand rubbing her bump unconsciously, saying nothing and Fiona continued.
“Listen, Vee… you are pregnant. And this is a very delicate pregnancy. You need to focus on the baby, not be stressed over paranoia or what-ifs. You need to rest your head,” she advised.
“But I can’t ignore the feeling that something is wrong. Something has changed,” Vivian said and Fiona sighed.
Vivian’s eyes narrowed.
“Honestly, Fio… if I catch any girl near Adrian, I will p>
“Ahh!” Fiona cut her off, laughter breaking through the tension.
“No, I mean it!” Vivian protested, wagging a finger. “I will disgrace her, I swear. Doesn’t matter if she is more beautiful, smarter, richer, taller, slimmer, I don’t care. No woman gets to scatter what I have helped build p>
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Fiona shook her head, a small, exasperated smile forming despite her worry.
“Scatter? Vee, are you even listening to yourself? Weren’t you the same mistress that… that destroyed their home p>
Vivian’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she waved her hands.
“The home was already broken, dear. I was just a safe space for him. That is all p>
“Mm,” Fiona nodded.
Vivian leaned back, hands still cradling her stomach.
“Yeah… Look, I’m carrying his child. He can’t leave me. He can’t try to… not now p>
Fiona crossed her arms and shook her head slowly.
“Listen to me, dear. No woman is irreplaceable to a man who is not loyal. You think being pregnant will hold him?
It won’t. You have to trust your instincts, and you need to see how he really is p>
Vivian scoffed, her eyes blazing with determination.
“I know Adrian. He is not that dumb. He is not. He can’t leave me. I am not stupid. Not me p>
“Mm. But Amelia… she wasn’t stupid either,” Fiona said. y
Vivian said nothing to that.
Fiona chuckled, shaking her head.
“Hmm. Alright, alright… I hear you, but just… keep your eyes open, okay? Don’t let love blind you too much p>
Vivian nodded, a small smile softening her features.
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“I won’t. I just… I feel secure in what we have. I trust him. And the baby… he can’t jeopardize this. He just… can’t p>
They sat in companionable silence for a few moments, listening to the distant hum of traffic outside the window. The air between them felt lighter, though the tension of their conversation still lingered.
Then Vivian’s gaze drifted to the small, sleek phone on Fiona’s lap.
“Is that… new?” she asked, curiosity piqued.
Fiona looked down at it, a smile tugging at her lips.
“Oh, this? Yeah. My boyfriend got me a new one. Needed something faster, something… smarter. You know how work is p>
Vivian leaned closer, eyes sparkling with interest.
“Oh my days! Girl! Show me. I want to see what is so special about it p>
Fiona held it out, tilting the screen so Vivian could get a better view. The interface was smooth, colorful, and fast, with apps neatly organized and a custom wallpaper that made the phone feel almost personal.
“I see. I understand, I see,” Vivian raised her hands in mock surrender.
Fiona laughed and nodded knowingly.
“Ugh huh p>
Their laughter spread across the room as Vivian admired the new device in her hand.
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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.