Chapter 18 The Invisible Fragments
Aveline had just woken up from a nightmare with ragged breaths, her body trembling violently. The fear, anxiety, and bad feeling that had been piercing her for the past few days now felt more real in her mind. She sat for a long time on the edge of the bed, waiting until she was calm enough to stand up.
But when she looked at the open bedroom door, she realized the living room light was still dark. There was no sign of life. She realized Adrian hadn't slept at home tonight. Again.
Aveline felt something in her chest crumble little by little, but she forced herself to move. She left the room, tracing the dark corridor lit only by the nightlight.
She walked to Adrian's study. Strangely, the door, which was usually always locked, was... open tonight.
Her heart sank. Slowly, Aveline walked in and turned on the light; the room looked tidy as usual. So tidy that it seemed no one had ever actually lived in it. Adrian's desk was empty, no scattered documents, no photos, no notes... nothing that could answer the questions that had been pounding in her head for days.
The sofa where Adrian slept every night was also neat. The blanket was folded, the pillow arranged, as if Adrian had never slept there at all. Perhaps for days.
Aveline searched carefully. Every drawer was opened. Every folder checked. She hoped to find something. Anything, that might explain who the woman in the photo was.
Or why Adrian changed so drastically since Liam's death.
But the result was the same. Nil. Empty. Nothing.
The room was like Adrian's face recently. Cold, clean, closed off, and full of walls that separated them.
Aveline finally sank to the floor, her back leaning against the desk leg. Her hands covered her face, and only then did the tears she had held back since the dream fall heavily.
Everything felt too heavy for her. Adrian's cold attitude... his closeness with another woman that she already suspected... the photo of the mysterious woman he kept... and now, Liam's dream that felt so real it pierced her conscience.
"Why... why is everything like this...?" her voice broke, choked.
For the first time since getting married, Aveline felt truly alone. This house felt like a strange place, no longer a place that protected her.
And the dream... Liam's scared face, and his trembling words...
Aveline hugged her knees tightly. What if the dream was a sign? What if Liam was trying to send her a message?
"Liam..." she whispered faintly, filled with a panic she couldn't explain. "Mom believes... Mom believes something is wrong..."
Morning came. Adrian opened his eyes with a throbbing headache. The morning light pierced his eyelids, making him wince. He groped around, searching for his phone or something familiar.
But what he found instead was...
Strange sheets. The aroma of a woman's perfume that was not Aveline's. And a smooth arm wrapped around his chest.
Adrian jolted awake. He stared in shock to find himself naked.
And beside him, Joanna, also without a stitch of clothing on her body, was sleeping with a small smile as if savoring a victory she had long awaited.
Adrian cursed softly, his heart pounding hard. Fragments of last night's memory spun in his head. A small party, drinks, loud noise, his heavy head, then... darkness. He didn't remember anything. He didn't remember what happened, how he got there, or what he had done.
"No..." he muttered, pushing Joanna's arm away and getting out of bed.
Joanna slowly opened her eyes. The victorious smile became even clearer.
"Good morning...," she said sweetly while stretching her body, deliberately showing off her curves.
"What did you do?" Adrian said loudly, though his voice trembled between anger and confusion. "What happened last night? Why am I here?!"
Joanna sat up, pulling the blanket, looking at him with a seductive gaze. A look she had always hidden behind a professional mask.
"You really don't remember, Adrian?" She laughed softly, as if amused. "We... did a lot of things."
Adrian shook his head quickly. "No. No way. I didn't..."
"You started it," Joanna interrupted softly, lying without blinking. "I don't know. But you clearly enjoyed everything."
Adrian covered his face with both hands, panicked. Not only because he didn't remember anything. But because he knew one thing: he had walked into another, bigger problem.
"Listen, Joanna, this isn't right. I don't remember anything!" Adrian yelled hysterically. A mixture of anger, shame, and confusion.
"You were drunk," Joanna replied. "I couldn't take you home because you passed out. So I brought you here. I didn't intend anything at first, but when we just walked in... you kissed me, Adrian."
"Kissed you?"
"Yes. Very wild and passionate. You said you wanted it. You needed it... And I... couldn't refuse because you forced me and made me believe..."
"No! No!" Adrian looked for his clothes, but he panicked even more because he couldn't find them anywhere. Joanna got up, approaching Adrian with her bare body.
"Adrian... you really don't remember?" she asked sadly.
"No! I don't remember! And put on your clothes!" he snapped, cursing.
Joanna flinched. She had anticipated Adrian's surprise and shock. But, she didn't expect Adrian to be this overly emotional. She continued her drama, this time pretending to be disappointed and crying because Adrian wouldn't admit what had happened.
Joanna sat down and sobbed. "I thought... you liked me. I thought... you really wanted me. That's why I gave myself to you. But it turns out I was wrong..."
Adrian held his head, which felt like it was about to split. He walked back and forth looking for his clothes, which Joanna had deliberately hidden.
"Where are my clothes, damn it! I have to go home. I have to get out of here!"
Joanna was still crying. This time she covered her face with her palms.
"Joanna. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to curse at you. I'm just... confused!"
Joanna fell silent. Her head lifted, looking at Adrian.
"Confused? If you're confused, what about me? I gave you everything, but you won't admit it..."
"It's not like that. It's just..." Adrian didn't finish his sentence. He opened Joanna's closet, but still couldn't find what he was looking for. Finally, he went out of the room and saw his clothes scattered on the floor in the living room.
He quickly put on his clothes. Joanna appeared, walking out of the room wrapped in a blanket. Her eyes were swollen from crying.
Adrian turned for a moment, then looked away again. He felt guilty towards Joanna, but he also couldn't do anything because he himself didn't remember what he had done.
"You're leaving? Just like that?" Joanna asked with a husky voice.
Adrian took a deep breath. Straightening his belt.
"I apologize. This shouldn't have happened... I promise I won't tell anyone.”
"But it already happened," Joanna interrupted, stepping forward. Adrian was silent, looking at Joanna who approached with a serious face. "And I want... you to take responsibility."