Chapter 157 026
THE silence Gabriel’s words left behind was thick and suffocating.
Adrian swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to his son. Hazel’s hand tightened around Gabriel’s small arm, and Gaddiel shifted restlessly on the couch, his small face crumpling as he sensed the weight of what had just happened.
“We don’t like it when you shout,” Gaddiel said suddenly, his voice wobbling but determined. “It makes my stomach hurt.”
Adrian crouched immediately in front of them.
“Hey… hey,” he said softly. “Nobody is angry at you, okay? Daddy is here.”
Gabriel nodded slowly.
“I like it when Daddy is here,” he repeated. “We were happy.”
Hazel drew in a shaky breath.
“Mom,” she said quietly, turning to Amelia, “we were really happy just now. Please don’t be mad. Dad didn’t come to fight.”
Amelia stood rooted to the spot, her face pale, lips pressed tightly together. The fire that had fueled her anger moments ago flickered, then died completely. She looked at her children, at the confusion in their eyes, the innocence in their voices, and something inside her cracked.
“I…” Her voice failed her.
She opened her mouth again, but no sound came out. Instead, she shook her head once, sharply, as if refusing to let herself say anything she might regret. Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, disappearing down the hallway.
The sound of her bedroom door closing echoed faintly.
Hazel let out a long, heavy sigh, rubbing her forehead. She looked back at her brothers, forcing a small smile.
“It is okay,” she murmured. “Everything is okay.”
She turned to Adrian then, her expression grown-up in a way that didn’t quite fit her age.
“Dad,” she said gently, “let me go get our things so we can leave.”
Adrian studied her for a moment, pride and regret swirling in his chest. He nodded.
“Alright, sweetheart. Take your time.”
“We will be quick,” Hazel added. “Just our bags.”
Adrian reached out, brushing her hair back affectionately.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
Hazel gave a small nod and glanced at her brothers.
“You two, stay here with Daddy.”
“Okay,” Gaddiel said, sliding closer to Adrian.
Hazel turned and hurried down the hallway, her footsteps light but purposeful. As she walked, she made a mental note— she would need to tell her mom. Not now. Later. That she and the boys wouldn’t just be out for the day. That they would be with their father until Sunday evening.
She paused briefly outside her room, exhaling slowly.
Then she pushed the door open and went inside, already gathering clothes and essentials, determined to make this transition as smooth as possible, for her brothers, and maybe, just maybe, for everyone else too.
Vivian pushed the door open with her shoulder, still staring at her phone, a wide, unguarded smile stretched across her face. In both hands were large paper bags bulging with groceries, the paper crinkling softly as she stepped inside.
“Hey babe,” Fiona called out from the couch, lowering her phone and setting her glass of juice on the table. She froze for half a second, eyes narrowing playfully. “Wait… what is that smile?”
Vivian glanced up briefly, then back down at her screen.
“Fi baby, hey you,” she said lightly, nudging the door shut behind her with her foot.
Fiona sat up straighter, her attention fully captured now.
“Hey. You look so happy,” she said, squinting dramatically. “Like… glowing happy. I haven’t seen you this happy in how long? Weeks? Months?”
Vivian burst into laughter at the same time Fiona did.
“I’m coming,” Vivian said between laughs. “Let me drop these first.”
“Okay,” Fiona called after her, already grinning. “Eagerly waiting.”
Vivian headed into the kitchen, the sound of bags being set down and cupboards opening floating back into the living room. A few minutes later, she returned and sank into the couch beside Fiona, letting out a satisfied sigh.
Fiona turned fully toward her, eyes shining with anticipation.
“Okay,” she said slowly, dramatically. “Spill it. What is making you this happy?”
Vivian closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the question. She opened them, exhaled, then leaned back against the couch. She waited, deliberately, watching Fiona fidget in her seat.
“Vivian,” Fiona warned. “Don’t play with me.”
Vivian finally smiled wider.
“I think…” she began slowly, “…I have seen one who has come to stay.”
Fiona’s eyes flew open.
“The one?” she shrieked. “That one?!”
Vivian nodded vigorously.
“That one.”
“Oh my God!” Fiona exclaimed, clutching Vivian’s arm. “Are you being serious right now?”
“Yes!” Vivian laughed. “Yes, Fi. This guy is serious. Like… seriously serious. I can see it. I can feel it.”
Fiona clapped her hands together.
“Oh my! I’m so happy for you!”
Vivian laughed, fluttering her lashes dramatically and fanning herself with her hand.
“Please, don’t hype me too much.”
“See her!” Fiona snapped her fingers. “Gurl is glowing!”
“You can say that again,” Vivian said, laughing.
They leaned into each other, hugging tightly.
“I’m really happy for you,” Fiona said softly.
“Thank you, dear,” Vivian replied, pulling back.
“But wait,” Fiona said, suddenly serious. “How do you know he is the one? What did he say? What has he done? What is that punchline? Come on, Viv. Feed me. Every detail.”
Vivian laughed, shaking her head.
“You are way too much.”
“Spill,” Fiona insisted, pointing at her.
“Okay,” Vivian sighed. “First of all, he was straight. Like… straight to the point. From the very beginning.”
Fiona nodded eagerly. “Go on.”
“When we started talking,” Vivian continued, “he told me plainly that he wasn’t looking for fun. He said he wanted someone for the future. For keeps. Something serious.”
Fiona’s mouth fell open.
“Wow.”
“Yes,” Vivian nodded. “And it wasn’t just talk. His actions matched his words.”
“Okay, okay,” Fiona said, grinning. “I’m listening.”
“He loves deep conversations,” Vivian added. “The real kind. Not small talks like the ‘have you eaten’ syndrome—” she rolled her eyes and Fiona burst out laughing.
“I mean real talks. He asks about my future, my family, my plans. He actually listens.”
“Ahhh,” Fiona said knowingly. “That already sounds dangerous.”
“And you know what else?” Vivian leaned closer. “He said he is tired of chats. Of texts. Of calls.”
Fiona gasped. “Don’t tell me…”
“He wants us to meet. For real. Live, Fi.”
“Ahhhhhhhhh!” Fiona screamed, clapping wildly. “An official date?!”
Vivian laughed. “Yes!”
Fiona grabbed her shoulders.
“Okay, stop now. Who is he? Who is this man?”
Vivian only smiled.
“Tell me!” Fiona demanded.
Vivian opened her mouth to speak—
And stopped.