Chapter 5

Sarah's POV

“You really had to make a scene and storm out?” Adrian continued, voice flat.

I wiped my face quickly, hating that he saw the tears. “A scene? She spent the entire dinner picking me apart, Adrian. My mom, my job, my family, like I’m some one of those maids working for her. And you just sat there doing absolutely nothing, telling me to relax.”

He sighed, the kind of sigh people use when they’re already tired of the conversation. “She’s always been blunt. You knew that before we got married. It’s her way of… testing people. Seeing if they can handle the family.”

“Testing?” I stood up, my bare feet sinking into the thick rug. “That wasn’t testing. That was bullying.” My voice cracked, but I pushed on. “I tried to reply without breaking down in her presence. And all you did was tell me to sit down and eat my food.”

Adrian walked to the dresser and checked his reflection, while adjusting his hair.. “Look, Sarah. I’m not going to fight with my mother every single night. That’s not how this works. She’s had this house running a certain way for decades. You pushing back like that only makes her dig in harder. You need to learn to let some things slide.”

The carelessness in his tone hit harder than any of Eleanor’s words. He wasn’t even pretending to be on my side. My chest squeezed. “So I’m supposed to just sit there and take it? I should let her have her way with everything she does, isn't it? While you play referee for her?”

He finally turned, but his eyes were distant. “Referee? We haven’t even been married for six months and you’re letting her get under your skin now?” He shook his head. “You’re exhausted. We both are. Just… take a breath. Tomorrow will be better if you don’t escalate everything.”

“So I'm the one escalating things?” I hiccupped, tears flowing freely now. “This is my life she’s dismantling piece by piece, and you’re acting like I’m the one being difficult. Do you even care how I feel, Adrian? Or am I just something you brought home that needs to be trained?”

He rubbed his face, looking more annoyed than concerned. “Of course I care. But you’re blowing this out of proportion. Mother’s annoying, yes. She’s always been like this with everyone I’ve dated. But you’re the one I married. That should count for something. Just… give it time. Stop making everything a battlefield.”

He walked over and patted my shoulder, awkward, brief, like comforting a colleague. No hug. No “I’m sorry.” Then he picked up his phone again, the screen lighting up his face.

“I have an early call tomorrow. Try to get some sleep, okay? We can talk more in the morning if you’re still upset.”

Still upset.

I watched him head toward the bathroom, already checking emails. Everything felt suffocating. I curled up on the bed, pulling a pillow against my chest.

Part of me wanted to pack a bag and leave right then. But the bigger part is I can't leave. I'm stuck here with him and his annoying mother.

The sound of running water filled the room. I pressed my face deeper into the pillow, trying to muffle the quiet sob that slipped out anyway.

I turned onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. My chest still ached, but the tears were slowing now, leaving behind something heavier.

Something colder.

This wasn’t going to change.

The thought came quietly, settling into my mind with terrifying clarity.

Adrian wasn’t going to fight for me. Not against her. Maybe not against anyone.

I let out a shaky breath, lifting a hand to wipe the dampness from my cheeks.

“Fine,” I whispered into the empty room. “Then I’ll stop expecting him to do anything.”

A soft buzz broke the silence.

I reached for my phone, the screen lighting up my face in the dim room.

KAEL: How’s married life treating you?

My fingers hovered over the keyboard. For a moment, everything I wanted to say rushed forward. The dinner, the humiliation, the way my own husband had stood there and done nothing.

I typed.

ME: It’s suffocating. I hate it here. I don’t think I can…

I stopped.

Then, slowly, I erased every word.

The blinking cursor stared back at me, waiting.

Finally, I typed two simple words.

ME: I’m fine.

He replied instantly.

KAEL: Are you sure?

A small, broken laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it.

ME: Yes… I'm just feeling a little bit sick.

There was a pause this time.

KAEL: Sarah. Talk to me, what happened?

I swallowed, my eyes drifting briefly toward the bathroom door, the sound of the shower still running behind it.

For a moment, I thought for some time if I should tell him.

Then my fingers moved.

ME: She humiliated me during dinner, and he said nothing.

He replied again.

KAEL: Can you come outside tomorrow? Let's talk, so you can explain better. It won't take long.

My chest tightened, not knowing the right answer to tell him.

ME: Okay… I'll try.

The typing dots appeared again… lingered… then disappeared.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds before locking it and placing the phone beside me.

The room fell quiet again, except for the faint sound of water still running in the bathroom. I turned onto my side, pulling the blanket closer around me.

Adrian was just a few steps away.

But somehow, he had never felt further.

My eyes drifted shut slowly, exhaustion finally beginning to settle in.

But as sleep slowly crept in, one thought lingered, stubborn and impossible to ignore…

Kael.

I smiled.

At least somewhere in this world…

Someone still saw me.