Chapter 38

The silence had stretched too long. Weeks of icy looks, clipped sentences, and cold shoulders had hardened the walls between Adrian and Amelia. No matter how many times he knocked on that invisible door with apologies, gifts, or the soft words he rarely ever spoke, she never opened it. And Adrian, a man who was used to being in control, was unraveling beneath the weight of rejection.

That evening, seated in his study, he pressed the phone against his ear, waiting. He had sworn to Amelia the last time not to drag others into his marital battles. But a man can only take so much silence. And so, once again, he broke a promise.

“Hello?” Mrs. Harlow’s gentle voice filled the line.

“Mom, it is me. Adrian,” he said, his tone carrying more weariness than he intended.

There was a pause, then warmth.

“Oh! Adrian! My most loving son-in-law. It has been a while. How are you?”

“I… I don’t even know anymore,” he admitted, leaning back against his chair, his han