Chapter 12
Her tactics with Ernest were smart. A few compliments inflated his ego and made him feel like a hero. So when he saw her struggling with the contract, he didn’t hesitate to sign.
Forty minutes later, the car pulled up outside Willard’s home. He grabbed the contract and got out. “This is one of my spare cars. When you’re not picking me up, you can use it. Just remember to get reimbursed for the gas.”
To be fair, Willard was professional and drew clear lines. That was not bad.
Adrienne nodded. Only after he went inside did she drive off.
Her sister, Bonnie, called just then.
“Adri, it’s so late. Why aren’t you home yet?”
Before Adrienne could answer, Terrence’s voice came through the phone. “Why are you bothering with her? She’s been kicked out. I’ve looked into it. Mr. Melendez has someone new now. She’s really useless. She spent all those years with him and didn’t even get a house out of it.”
Bonnie’s tone instantly turned awkward. “Adri, Terrence had a rough day at work. He’s just in a bad mood. Don’t take it to heart.”
At that moment, Adrienne had just pulled up outside Bonnie’s apartment and was going to knock on the door.
Bonnie opened the door, concerned by Adrienne’s pale face. “Are you sick? You just got caught in the rain last night.”
“I came to get my luggage. I’m planning to rent a place.”
“What? Why rent? Rent’s expensive here, and you don’t have much money.”
The
company had given her an advance of 1,500 dollars today. She’d stay in a hotel tonight, and then she would look for a place.
Bonnie wanted to persuade her more, but then a loud door slam came from Terrence. “Didn’t I tell you? Mom’s com- ing soon. There’s no extra room in the house.”
Bonnie already had little say at home. Now she stood awkwardly, holding Adrienne’s hand, unsure of what to say.
Adrienne smiled, went inside, and grabbed her suitcase.
She’d only brought this one small case the night before.
Bonnie walked her downstairs, her steps heavy. “Adri, is there really nothing left between you and Garrett?”
Adrienne put the suitcase in the trunk and nodded. “We’ve said everything. A few days ago, your husband mentioned taking you to the hospital. For what?”
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Chapter 12
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Bonnie touched her belly, looking downcast. “We’ve been trying for two years, and I still haven’t gotten pregnant. I want to check if something’s wrong with me.”
Her mother-in-law placed great importance on children. Bonnie was now twenty-nine. If she didn’t conceive soon, it might be too late in a few years.
“Adri, if you and Garrett had a child, maybe things wouldn’t be like this.”
Adrienne forced a smile. She and Garrett hadn’t been intimate in years. How could there be a child?
He loathed being around her.
“I’ll go now, Bonnie. You should head back.”
Adrienne got in the car. In the rearview mirror, she saw Bonnie still standing there, not going upstairs. Her heart sank.
She remembered when they fled their village all those years ago. She was eleven, Bonnie fourteen.
Gerberton was suffocating. After all these years of struggling, they were still struggling to survive.
Ten minutes after driving off, her phone rang. It was Corinne Melendez.
“Adri, why aren’t you home yet? I’ve been waiting at your place for a while. Garrett’s already back.”
Adrienne’s fingertips trembled slightly. Corinne had always treated her well. She was the kindest of the Melendez family.
Back then, they only accepted her as a goddaughter to silence the public. But Corinne genuinely hoped she and Gar- rett would marry.
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.