Chapter 4

For the next few days, Adrian actually stayed in the hospital.

He appeared promptly every day, bringing a bowl of bland rice porridge, helping me change my bandages, and even quietly holding my hand when I woke up in pain in the middle of the night.

The old me would probably have been too happy to sleep.

But now, my heart felt like an empty, desolate wasteland.

It turned out, loving someone for five years, and letting go, could happen in an instant.

On the day I was discharged, I walked to the parking lot, bag in hand.

From a distance, I saw Seraphina sitting in Adrian's car.

She glanced at me, her eyes like daggers, her face clearly unhappy.

Adrian frowned. "Seraphina, what did I tell you earlier?"

Seraphina bit her lip, her eyes red.

Reluctantly, she spoke, "Claire, I'm sorry... I was too impulsive that day."

"My brother barely paid any attention to me after he married you for years, he was completely devoted to you, so I just got angry…"

She lowered her head, like a wronged child. "It won't happen again."

Adrian turned to me, his tone calm. "Seraphina wants to stay at the house for a few days recently. You two should try to get along."

On the way home, they sat in the front.

I leaned against the car window, staring at the rapidly receding streetscape outside.

I didn't say a word.

But out of the corner of my eye, I could still see Adrian's profile.

He was usually as cold as stone, but his gaze kept drifting toward Seraphina.

Seraphina looked down, scrolling on her phone, then suddenly laughed. "Adrian, look at this guy, he's so handsome. Just added me on SnapChat."

Adrian's hand on the steering wheel tightened abruptly.

His voice was cold as ice. "Delete him."

"Why should I?" Seraphina pouted. "I'm in my twenties, can't I make friends?"

"Delete him." His tone was hard, like a command.

Seraphina huffed, but still obediently deleted the contact.

She mumbled under her breath, "He's stricter than my dad…"

Adrian didn't say anything.

But I saw his jawline tighten.

He was jealous.

Back home, I didn't even eat. I went straight to my room.

From downstairs, I could hear the clatter of dishes, Seraphina's giggling, and the syrupy background music from the TV.

It was a liveliness that had never existed in the three years Adrian and I were married.

I buried myself under the covers.

My heart ached as if it were steeped in sour plum soup.

I don't know how much time passed. The sounds outside gradually faded.

I was terribly thirsty, so I got up to pour myself some water.

As I pushed open the door, I froze.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, making the living room bright.

Adrian was half-crouching by the sofa, quietly watching Seraphina, who was asleep.

He was usually as aloof as a hermit.

But at this moment, his eyes were full of soft light, as if he were looking at his most precious treasure.

Seraphina suddenly stirred.

Half-asleep, she reached out and hooked her arms around his neck, her voice soft as marshmallow. "Adrian, don't leave me... only you care about me…"

She tugged him unconsciously.

His face was pulled down.

Their lips brushed together.

Adrian's pupils contracted sharply.

His breathing became ragged, like it was scattered by the wind.

The next second, as if he could hold out no longer, he leaned down and kissed her fiercely.