Chapter 13 Chapter 13
One month.
That’s how long it has been since that horrible night.
Lucien hasn't shown up since then, but whenever I close my eyes, I can feel his fingers on my skin. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of my sleep, having a dream of him on my bed.
My head turned to my daughter, who was sleeping peacefully, holding my shirt in her tiny fist as if she were afraid I might leave her alone.
I smiled softly.
She doesn't know yet; she is my life. I can never leave her alone.
I have got a job with a night shift. So in the daytime, I take care of her, while at night, Adrian looks after her.
Adrian.
My hand froze midway through stroking Aurora.
Not even once did he hesitate to shift Aurora and me to his house. After clearing all the medical bills, I wasn't left with enough money to pay for the rent. We would have become homeless if he hadn't agreed to help. He has always come as my savior whenever I was in need.
But this time things are not the same.
He is taking care of Aurora like a dutiful father, but he isn't talking to me the way he used to.
Our conversations have been reduced to necessities only. Most of the time, he avoids meeting my gaze as well.
I know he is deeply hurt by my hiding things from him, but I can't tell him the truth.
It will ruin whatever I have left.
The sound of the door opening brought me out of my thoughts.
Adrian.
He froze for a second when our gaze met. A quite strange silence spread in the room as we tried to read each other.
He looked worn. His tie was loosened, his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, his hair was a mess, his jaw was tense, and his shoulders were stiff.
Both of us are tired from doing double duty, but I have never seen him like this before.
There was definitely something off about him today.
He finally let out a deep sigh and walked inside.
"You may leave," he said softly as he removed his wristwatch.
"Today is my day off. You can rest. I will look after her," I told him.
"Go and rest then," he said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Slowly, I freed my shirt from Aurora's grasp. She stirred a little, but I patted her softly before standing up carefully.
He pretended to look at Aurora, but I knew his attention was on me.
"Adrian," I said softly, "what's wrong?"
His head turned to me. My heart clenched seeing his red eyes. There was a lot he was bottling up inside.
His body turned stiff when I stepped closer to him.
"Cynthia, leave," he stated.
Instead, I took another step towards him and slowly placed my hand on his shoulder. I literally felt his muscles relaxing under my touch.
I pushed him down slightly, and he sat on the edge of the bed, avoiding my gaze. I sat beside him.
"Please, Adrian, don't push me away like that. I am still something to you. Am I not?"
His eyes snapped up at me.
He placed his hand over mine and slid it down his arm to take my palms in between his.
"You already know what you are to me," he said softly. "It's been almost five years since we were together. We have seen many ups and downs together, but now I am not worthy enough for you to share your problems."
He looked down, and I really felt bad for him.
"I am sorry, Adrian," I mumbled, and he looked up. "I am sorry for loading you with so many responsibilities." I swallowed hard
"It was my duty," he said.
It became hard for me to control my emotions. He had always been there as my pillar. I felt guilty for using him.
"Please forgive me for that night, Adrian." I looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "I will tell you everything when I am comfortable. But I don't like it when you don't talk to me. I ... I just..." I sighed. "... Just forgive me once."
"Okay," he sighed, "I will." I looked up at him in excitement. "But I want something in return."
My heart slammed in my chest.
Whenever someone has asked me for something, it has always been difficult for me.
"Wh- what?" I swallowed, terrified.
"Ice cream"
My eyebrows drew together in confusion.
"What?" I asked in surprise
"I want ice cream from our favourite street-side parlour." He said softly with a smile.
My heart flushed, and my eyes became moist.
I nodded frantically.
"Let's go!" I stood up almost immediately.
"Now?" he asked, eying Aurora.
I immediately rushed to her and tucked pillows from all sides.
"She is a heavy sleeper," I chuckled softly, "and we will be back in a few minutes."
Adrian was still a bit reluctant, but I just pushed him out of the room. He looked exhausted. We really needed this break.
The ice cream parlour was a five-minute walk from his house. I ordered two ice creams and paid for them while Adrian stood behind me like a bodyguard.
I smiled internally.
When he is with me, no one dares to even look at me.
Adrian smiled when I gave him the ice cream. We walked side by side, slowly enjoying the ice cream.
"Now, will you tell me exactly what's bothering you?" I asked.
"Nothing," Adrian shrugged.
"AD!" I warned him in my stern voice.
"I have been transferred," he told me.
"What?" I stopped dead in my tracks. "Why?"
"I don't know," he said, looking away. "Two weeks ago, I received a letter that I had been transferred out of the country. I wasn't given any other option. So... so I just resigned today."
My lips parted in pure surprise.
"But... But it was your dream job," I breathed out.
"Nothing is more important to me than you. Aurora is not fully fit to shift, and I can't leave you here alone. That was not the only job left. I will find something else."
I looked between his eyes. How could he sacrifice his job for us?
"What if you can't?" I asked.
With so much happening in life. I have become so negative.
"Then I will look after the home, and my pretty little lady will run the household."
He chuckled, and a small laugh passed my lips, too.
I suddenly stopped smiling when I caught him staring at me. His hand slowly reached out for my face as he cupped it gently.
My breath caught in my throat when his thumb rubbed at the corner of my lips, probably removing the ice cream.
We were staring into each other's eyes when I felt a strong gaze burning holes in me. My eyes flicked behind Adrian, and my heart dropped in my stomach.
Lucien!
He was there, watching us two with jealousy and possessiveness in his eyes.
I forgot to breathe when suddenly he started walking towards us.
Fuck!