The Husband She Left Behind

Chapter 8

Vanessa let out a long sigh. "You really are more understanding than most people, and more reasonable."

Adrian looked up in surprise. "I don't deserve that praise."

"You do." She shook her head. "Darren is simply too emotional right now. He isn't seeing things rationally, but blinded by jealousy. He has already decided what he wants to believe. I don't think he'd listen to anyone's explanation right now."

"If that's the case..." Adrian said softly. "Then maybe I should talk to him myself. I never meant to come between the two of you or cause an argument. If I apologize to him face-to-face, maybe he'll understand."

Vanessa immediately shook her head. "No. It won't help. Right now, Darren is too narrow-minded to listen. Whatever you say, he'll only think you're making excuses." She sighed. "We'll wait. When he calms down, I'll explain everything myself."

Her words clearly revealed where her emotions currently stood. Rather than believing Darren's concerns, she instinctively chose to believe Adrian's sincerity.

Adrian quietly nodded.

"If that's what you think is best... I'll follow your arrangements and stop worrying about this. I'll just focus on recovering."

Vanessa turned back toward him. For several seconds, she simply looked at him absentmindedly. Perhaps because of his pale complexion or the lingering guilt she still carried. She found herself feeling sorry for him once again.

Only after several moments did she realize she had been staring. She blinked and smiled awkwardly. "Take proper care of yourself. No more coming to work before you've recovered. You hear me?"

Adrian laughed softly. "Yes Vanessa, I promise."

"Good. And don't skip your medication."

"I won't."

"And eat properly."

"I will."

Only then did Vanessa seem satisfied.

Adrian bowed his head slightly.

"Thank you... for caring so much." Then he slowly turned and walked out of the office.

******

Outside the office, the weakness vanished. Adrian straightened almost imperceptibly, and the exhausted expression faded from his face.

The corners of his lips slowly curved upward, and he adjusted his shirt cuffs calmly before continuing down the hallway.

By seven o'clock that evening, Vanessa finally returned home. The day's meetings, paperwork, and endless decisions had left her mentally and physically exhausted.

Usually, returning home at this hour was the best part of her day. Before she even stepped fully inside, Darren would already be there.

He would smile gently, take her coat, help her remove her shoes when she was too tired to bend down. Then, with unmistakable pride, he would lead her to a dining table covered with dishes he had personally prepared.

The warm aroma of dinner would fill the house, and her exhaustion would disappear almost instantly. That had become their routine. But today, silence greeted her instead.

"Darren?"

There was no answer.

She quickly walked toward the bedroom but it was empty.

Only after opening the wardrobe and seeing Darren's clothes still hanging inside did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

At that exact moment, the front door opened and Vanessa turned immediately. It was Darren carrying a thin document folder. He barely glanced in her direction before removing his shoes.

"Where were you all day?" Vanessa flared up, yet Darren walked past her as though he hadn't heard the question.

Entering the bathroom, he quietly washed his face. Vanessa's brows furrowed and she followed him.

"I'm talking to you."

Only after drying his hands did Darren finally look at her. His expression remained indifferent.

"Do I have to report everything I do to you?"

Vanessa froze, because she recognized what Darren was trying to do.

Exactly one week earlier, Adrian had been bitten by a venomous snake during a field inspection and Vanessa had rushed out of the house after receiving the news.

When Darren had asked where she was going, she had answered with those exact words.

"Do I have to report everything I do to you?"

The memory struck her like a slap, and a trace of guilt quietly appeared across her face. Returning to the present, she lowered her voice.

"I was just worried. I came home expecting to see you. You weren't here. I even skipped dinner waiting."

Darren looked at her calmly. "If you're hungry, then learn to cook or hire a housekeeper."

Vanessa frowned. "What? I never needed either. I had you."

The moment those words left her mouth, the atmosphere changed. Darren gave a cold, humorless smile. "You had me?"

His eyes met hers and his voice was sharp. "I'm your husband, not a servant. I wasn't born simply to cook for you, clean your house, and wait for you to come home."

Vanessa stood speechless. The Darren before her felt unfamiliar. He had never spoken to her like this before. Never.

A quiet panic crept into her heart, and she instinctively searched for a way to ease the tension. Then she remembered something.

"By the way... Adrian came to the company today. I scolded him for working while injured. He's almost fully recovered now."

She forced a small smile. "So I probably won't need to take care of him much longer."

The words had barely left her mouth before she realized her mistake. Darren's expression instantly hardened and his gaze became razor sharp.

He slowly turned toward her. "I don't want to hear his name."

Vanessa blinked. "What?"

"I said, I don't want to hear another single thing related to Adrian."