The Husband She Left Behind

Chapter 2

A trace of discomfort crossed Vanessa’s face.

“I know this is inappropriate,” she admitted softly, “but I can’t ignore this situation.”

She stepped closer and gently reached for her husband’s hand.

“Darren, please try to understand. Adrian has always had health issues. He’s been overworking himself for the company lately and barely sleeping properly. If something really happens to him tonight and I choose to stay here instead…” Her eyes lowered briefly. “I won’t be able to forgive myself.”

But Darren still couldn’t see the logic in her words. Unconvinced, he slowly pulled his hand away from hers.

The rejection made Vanessa freeze slightly.

For three years, Darren had rarely ever refused her anything. Yet tonight, his entire demeanor had changed.

His gaze turned colder as he looked directly into her eyes.

“Tell me honestly, Vanessa,” he said quietly. “Is Adrian Knox deliberately trying to ruin our time together?”

“What?” Vanessa frowned immediately.

“You heard me.” Darren’s voice remained calm, but every word carried restrained emotion. “Every single time we try to spend time alone, he suddenly appears with some emergency. Every single time."

Vanessa’s expression flickered with displeasure.

“You’re overthinking this.”

“Am I?” Darren asked coldly. “Or do you simply not want to marry me at all?”

The question caught her off guard. How could he even ask that? Of course she loved him. She always had.

Vanessa lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes filled with affection and determination.

“This has nothing to do with not wanting to marry you,” she said quietly. “But Adrian is in the hospital right now. If I stay here while he’s suffering… I truly won’t be able to forgive myself for the rest of my life.”

She shook her head gently before continuing.

“Our first intimate moment together can wait. We’re already married. We’ll still have tomorrow, and the day after that. But Adrian only has one life.”

Her stance was clear, and that final statement seemed to extinguish the last trace of warmth in Darren’s expression.

At that moment, Darren finally understood that tonight, he was not her priority. Not even on their wedding night!

Vanessa quickly grabbed a coat from the chair nearby and slipped it on hurriedly. Her movements were rushed and anxious, completely unlike a bride who had just gotten married hours earlier. She picked up her handbag and moved toward the door.

Before leaving, she paused briefly.

“I’ll come back after confirming Adrian is fine,” she said softly. “You should sleep first. Don’t wait for me.”

Then, without waiting for a response, she opened the suite door and left.

Click!

The sound of the closing door echoed throughout the room.

Darren remained standing motionless, as the luxurious suite suddenly felt unbearably empty.

The half-finished glasses of wine on the table reflected the golden lights overhead, and the wedding decorations around the room now looked strangely ironic!

Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of his life. Instead, he stood alone in silence while his bride rushed to another man’s side.

A deep chill spread through Darren’s chest.

For three years, he had given Vanessa everything. Though she never knew his true identity, he had silently protected her from dangers she could not even imagine. He had crushed business rivals threatening her company, removed criminal forces targeting her, and sacrificed countless opportunities simply to remain beside her.

The feared NIGHTREIGN, commander of the Shadow Titan Legion, had willingly abandoned power and glory for love.

And yet tonight—none of it seemed to matter!

Darren slowly loosened his tie and sat heavily on the sofa. For the first time in years, emotional exhaustion filled his eyes!

His phone suddenly rang. Darren glanced at the unfamiliar number for several seconds before answering coldly.

“Hello?”

Almost immediately, weak crying sounds came from the other end.

“Mr Vale… I-I’m sorry… I never wanted this to happen. I shouldn’t have let the nurse use my phone… I didn’t know she would call Miss Hartwell…”

It was Adrian Knox, speaking weakly.

Darren’s eyes darkened slightly, but he remained silent.

On the phone, Adrian continued to sound extremely emotional, his voice trembling between sobs.

Without a word, Darren leaned back and listened.

“I originally wanted to stop her from coming. I know tonight is important for both of you. I really didn’t mean to ruin anything…”

Adrian continued apologizing repeatedly. His voice cracked again as though overwhelmed with guilt. Anyone hearing him would likely believe he was innocent and pitiful. But Darren simply listened in silence.

Over the past six months, this exact pattern had repeated endlessly. Adrian always appeared weak, fragile, and apologetic!

And somehow, every situation ended with Darren becoming the unreasonable one.

Vanessa would defend Adrian, as well as her coworkers.

Even when Darren expressed discomfort, he would eventually be pressured into apologizing instead. At first, he thought perhaps he was being too sensitive.

But now? Now it all felt absurd!

Darren’s expression gradually turned colder, especially when he noticed something strange. Despite supposedly suffering severe abdominal bleeding, Adrian sounded remarkably coherent. Not like someone hovering near death.

Darren’s fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.

Then suddenly, another voice appeared faintly through the phone.

“Adrian!”

It was Vanessa’s voice—clearly, she had just arrived at the hospital where Adrian had been admitted.

Darren froze slightly.

He realized the call had not been disconnected.

Immediately afterward came hurried footsteps and rustling sounds.

“Why are you sitting up?” Vanessa’s voice carried obvious concern. “Lie back down properly.”

Adrian spoke weakly, “Vanessa, you really didn’t have to come…”

“How could I not come, dear?” Vanessa replied softly. “How could I possibly ignore your pain, Adrian?” Vanessa replied softly.

Dear? The words landed in Darren’s ears like a sudden blow.

Vanessa’s tone was warm, gentle, and affectionate.

Darren’s grip on the phone tightened unconsciously.

“I’m fine,” Adrian said weakly. “You should go back to Mister Vale. Tonight is your wedding night…”

Vanessa sighed softly.

“Stop talking for now. The doctor said you need rest.”

There was the sound of liquid being poured.

“Drink this nutritional fluid first,” Vanessa urged carefully. “You’ve barely eaten all day...”