haptér 60 – You Haven’t Changed
Stella
“A new medication? Is that wise for her to go on?” Adrian asks, looking at the doctor while he scribbles new notes into a fresh notebook he bought from the store.
I sit beside him in the seat, feeling weary from that day’s appointment. My doctor wanted me to come in and do some bloodwork and lab tests since I was showing signs of getting worse rather than better.
Turns out, my white blood cell count is way too high for comfort. A simple medication will help combat this and prevent any diseases or cancer from attacking my body.
“It is a précaution for anything that may happen to her,” the doctor states, ripping off the prescription from his notepad. He passes it off to Adrian, a habit that is new to all of us.
“Thank you, Doctor Zayne,” I smile at him and push up from my chair.
Adrian immediately attaches himself to my side, his touch gentle on my arm, his other hand resting on the low of my back. He says a quick goodbye as we begin to leave the appointment room.
It is a slow walk to the car. Silence remains between us, occasionally disturbed by Adrian’s quiet directions and asking me if I need to walk slower. I shake my head every time, keeping my hands to myself as he guides me out of the hospital.
We reach his car and I suck in a deep breath, my legs feeling weak. I didn’t each that much this morning. Maybe that is why I feel so irritated and tired today.
“Woah! Are you okay?” Adrian is quick to catch me as I lean into the car.
My hand slaps across the window, my fingerprints now smudged into the clear glass. I nod and peel my body away from his, opening up the car door and getting inside. Adrian gets into the passenger seat, settling in beside me.
The air between us is silent yet again. The only sounds that come from us are from the clicks of seatbelts and him shuffling through the notes he took from that appointment. I stare at his handwriting, scowling at it.
I hate the fact that he is being so kind. I detest the idea that he actually is beginning to care about me. I know that it is all a lie, one big facade that he is putting on so that the world knows that he is a caring and loving husband who does what he can.
I know that he is only acting so kind while out in public so that his image doesn’t get ruined. Our divorce is inevitable, so why not show the world that he is not at fault for divorcing a sick woman who can die at any moment.
Adrian’s phone begins to vibrate in the cupholder. I suck in a breath at the sound, closing my eyes.
Ever since Clara got wind that I temporarily moved back in with Adrian while he takes care of me, her calls and texts have been constant. She always calls during appointments, during the times I need help getting in and out of the shower so I don’t slip and fall, and even when we find ourselves in the comfortable silence of his car before we leave the doctor.
I can feel his eyes on me, the sympathetic look he gives. A frown with his brows knitted together, a look that tells me sorry while proceeding to answer her.
It is pathetic, really. I used to love this man. He used to be someone I admired and cared for, thinking that he is strong and will be there for me.
Turns out that he is a guy with no backbone who allows the woman he loves to walk all over him. It’s sad.
1/3
“Clara?” Adrian says, our gazes meeting as soon as I open my eyes. “I’m a little busy right now. Can we talk later?”
“No! This is important Adrian!” Clara’s shrill voice sends chills down my spine. “Stella stole one of my dresses!”
“What?” He blinks as he tries to comprehend what it is she just said. Adrian and I share a look.
4
I know that this will end one way. There is only one outcome that can happen and there is no avoiding it.
“She stole my dress not even an hour ago! I swear, she is pretending to be sick to get back into your good graces!” Clara proclaims.
“Clara,” Adrian sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “That isn’t even possible. Stella and I have been together all day. We’re in the car right now because we just left one of her doctor’s appointments.”
The other end of the call is silent. I uncomfortably shift in my seat and turn my gaze to Adrian. He sighs and offers me an apologetic yet irritated look.
Is he finally starting to wake up? Is Adrian going to finally realize that Clara is a compulsive liar who only does what is best for her?
“Adrian! Why didn’t you tell me!” Clara whines.
The two of us groan in annoyance. We pause and share a look, unsure as to why we share the same mannerism.
“I didn’t think you would lie to me about something like that, Clara,” he sighs..
“Well! You know the only reason you haven’t divorced her yet is because she’s going after half of your money! Who’s to say she can’t come after my clothes and jewelry as well!” Clara screeches.
An ugly silence fills the air with tension. I freeze in my spot and look away, unsure if I want to face the answer he has to say to her.
Adrian sputters in the drivers seat. He blabbers incoherent sounds. It is as if he is caught between a rock and a hard place.
“Clara,” Adrian sputters her name like an old car engine.
“Adrian! Just say it! You know it’s true. Like you’ve said, Stella has always been a gold digger who was only ever with you for the money. She does not care about you like I do, baby, you know that. So come on, say it for me.”
I turn to look at Adrian. Our eyes meet. I can feel my heart on the verge of sewing itself back together or ripping itself to shreds.
“Say it, Adrian!”
“You’re right,” his voice shakes, “she’s nothing more than a gold digger who wants half of my assets.”
“Good,” Clara breathes out, “well I have to go now. Bye!”
The call ends.
I can feel tears fofin in my eyes but I blink them away. Disappointment rushes throughout my body. I turn to face the front of the car, swiping my tongue over my teeth, feeling the sharpness of my canines to feel something other than the bitter taste of sadness.
“Take me home, Adrian,” I slowly speak, trying to control my sadness.
“We can go home, but let me-”
+25 BONUS
#Chapter 60 – You Haven’t Changed
“No. Not your home. That place has never been my home,” snap. My fists ball at my sides. “Take me to my apartment. Now.”
Adrian remains silent beside me. He nods a
