my return will be your downfall

THE MAN WHO COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING

Adrian pov

The following morning, Adrian woke up before his alarm rang.

For a few seconds, he lay still, staring at the ceiling of the small bedroom he shared with Vanessa. The previous evening's argument returned to his mind almost immediately.

He turned his head toward her side of the bed.

It was empty.

The blanket had been pushed aside, and her pillow lay untouched. Adrian frowned slightly before reaching for his phone on the bedside table.

There was no new message from Vanessa.

He checked the time.

6:10 a.m.

He had to leave for work in less than an hour.

With a quiet sigh, Adrian sat up, rubbed his face, and climbed out of bed. He walked into the bathroom, washed his face, and brushed his teeth before returning to the bedroom to get dressed.

His wardrobe contained only a few shirts suitable for work. He selected a clean white shirt, dark trousers, and his black shoes. One of the shoes had a small crack near the sole, but he had been postponing buying a replacement pair for months.

He bent down to inspect it.

"Just a little longer," he muttered.

After putting on his shoes, he picked up his phone and checked his banking application again.

The balance had not changed.

He locked the screen and slipped the phone into his pocket.

Today would be another opportunity to earn money. Perhaps his employer would have an additional assignment for him. If he could save enough over the coming weeks, he might be able to purchase the handbag Vanessa wanted.

He knew it would not solve every problem between them, but perhaps it would show her that he was serious about keeping his promise.

Adrian walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

There was little inside beyond a few eggs, some vegetables, and a bottle of water. He took two eggs, prepared a simple breakfast, and ate quickly.

As he washed his plate, his eyes drifted toward the living room.

The apartment was quiet.

Vanessa had returned late the previous night. By the time she came in, he had already fallen asleep. He remembered hearing the front door open, followed by the sound of her footsteps, but he had been too exhausted to get out of bed.

They had not spoken.

He wondered whether she was still angry with him.

Adrian dried his hands and picked up his phone.

He typed a message.

Adrian: Good morning, baby. I hope you slept well. I'm leaving for work now. Take care of yourself, and please don't forget to eat.

He read the message twice before sending it.

Then he put his phone away, collected his keys, and left the apartment.

---

The city was already busy when Adrian stepped outside.

Cars crowded the roads, buses stopped to pick up passengers, and pedestrians hurried along the pavements. The morning sun had begun to rise above the buildings, casting long shadows across the streets.

Adrian walked to the main road and waited for a bus.

He could not afford to waste money on a private ride when public transportation would get him to work for less.

After several minutes, a bus stopped in front of him.

He climbed aboard, paid his fare, and found a seat near the window.

As the vehicle moved through the city, he watched the expensive shops and towering office buildings passing by.

He often wondered what it would feel like to own a business in one of those buildings.

Not necessarily a huge company at first. Even a small business would be enough to give him a sense of independence.

He had considered opening a car rental service because of his experience as a driver. He knew how to maintain vehicles, deal with customers, and navigate the city. With enough capital, he believed he could start small and expand gradually.