Chapter 4 (When silence speaks louder)

The mansion was too big for just two people.

Sometimes, Evelyn thought the walls themselves whispered back her loneliness.

The maids moved carefully, their eyes downcast. She often caught them glancing at her with a mix of pity and curiosity.

Once, she overheard two of them talking in the kitchen.

> “She’s beautiful,” one said.

“But he doesn’t… look at her,” the other replied softly.

Evelyn had walked away before they noticed her. She didn’t need their pity.

She was determined to make this marriage work — even if Adrian’s heart seemed locked behind steel doors.

That night, she placed his favorite meal on the dining table and waited past midnight.

He never came home.

The food grew cold — and so did her hope.

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The next morning, Evelyn woke up to another cold side of the bed.

It had been one week now, and he still hadn’t shown up.

Thinking about it, Evelyn picked up her phone to call her brother, Alexander.

> “Hey, Evie,” Alex said the moment the call went through.

“Alex, sorry to disturb you this early,” Evelyn said apologetically.

“It’s nothing,” he yawned. The call had clearly woken him up.

“So, what’s up? Do you need anything?”

Evelyn hesitated.

> “Not really sure how to say this, but… I know you’re a business partner of Adrian. Can I—uhm—get his contact? The one I have isn’t going through.”

Alex scoffed.

> “Are you seriously asking me for your husband’s number?”

> “Alex!” Evelyn stretched his name in frustration.

> “You know,” he said, voice suddenly serious, “if you had opposed Dad, I would’ve stood by you. I never wanted you to marry that arrogant jerk. Why do you choose to go through this pain when you deserve better?”

> “You know what, forget I called. I’ll get it somewhere else,” Evelyn said, her voice tight.

> “Fine, I’ll send it,” Alex replied after a pause. “But remember, you deserve better. Take my friend Beck, for instance — he really loves you, I can vouch for him, he—”

> “Thank you,” Evelyn interrupted lifelessly before ending the call.

A few minutes later, her phone beeped — Alex had sent the number.

She dialed it immediately. Adrian picked up on the third ring.

> “Hey… it’s me, Evelyn,” she said, a hint of excitement in her voice.

> “I know,” came Adrian’s flat reply.

So he had her number all along.

> “What do you want?” he asked coldly.

> “Nothing. I was just wondering if you’re… fine. I haven’t seen you since our wedding night.”

> “I’ve been busy,” Adrian replied. “I’ll come back when I’m done with work.”

He hung up immediately.

Evelyn tried to hold back her tears, but they came anyway, hot and uncontrollable.

She lay in bed until noon. She didn’t go down for breakfast. Even when the butler came knocking, she couldn’t bring herself to face anyone.

Later that day, she called her sister Isa, hoping they could hang out — she was bored and lonely — but Isa was away for a fashion show.

With no one else to turn to, Evelyn called her friend Clara, who was more than happy to come over. Clara had heard rumors about how much Adrian had changed since their school days, but she had never seen it herself. Now, the opportunity had come.

That afternoon, they went shopping together, then dined at their favorite restaurant. They took a walk afterward, and when they grew tired, they decided to head back home.

Evelyn froze when she noticed Adrian’s car parked in the garage.

> Is he back? she thought, barely containing her excitement.

> “Is that Adrian’s car?” Clara asked, noticing the sleek sports car.

> “Yes,” Evelyn replied, her face calm but her heart leaping with joy.

> “Welcome back, Madam,” Butler Chan greeted as soon as he saw them.

> “Is the young master back?” Evelyn asked, ignoring his greeting.

> “Yes, ma’am. He’s in the study.”

> “Take these to the bedroom,” she said, handing over the shopping bags before heading straight to the study.

Adrian was focused on his computer when a faint but audible knock came at the door. Lifting his head, he saw Evelyn standing there — elegant and smiling softly at him.

> “You came back?” she asked, unable to hide her excitement.

> “Yes. I finished early today,” Adrian answered flatly.

Evelyn opened her mouth to say something, but a knock interrupted them. The butler entered to announce that dinner was ready.

> “It’s time for dinner,” Adrian said simply before walking out.

He was still distant — but at least he came home.

> That’s a good thing… right? Evelyn thought as she followed behind him