02. The silence after a breakup

Chapter 2

Eva's Pov

I barely slept after leaving Adrian’s villa in the storm last night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the contract again.

By dawn, I gave up on sleep and came straight to meet mum at the hospital.

Now I stood outside the discharge desk, clutching a thin folder of paper, that held me together.

“You’re lucky,” A nurse said, sliding the final document toward me with a polite smile.

Lucky?

I forced a smile. “Yes… very lucky.”

My fingers tightened on the paperwork.

If luck had anything to do with this, I wouldn’t have signed that contract three years ago.

“Room 232 is ready,” the nurse added. “You can bring her home today.”

‘Home.’ The word felt strange on my lips.

For the past three years, my life had revolved around Adrian. I heaved a sigh, signed the last form and turned toward the elevator. But her voice suddenly stopped me.

“Hold on miss, your mother can’t leave yet.” i stopped mid-step.

My heart skipped. “What do you mean?”

“It says the patient’s discharge was flagged.” My pulse started hammering.

Only one person in this city had the power to interfere with my life so casually.

The computer beeped again and the nurse blinked.

“…Never mind. The hold was just cleared.”

Of course it was.

Adrian Moretti never left unfinished business behind.

When I entered the room, my mother was sitting upright, carefully folding the blanket on her lap. She always did that when she was nervous.

The moment she saw me, her face lit up.

“Eva!”

I forced a smile.

“You should be resting.”

“And let the nurses pack everything wrong?” she replied with a small laugh.

Her voice was stronger than it had been in months.

Seeing that alone made my chest ache.

Three years ago, she couldn’t even lift her head from the pillow.

I placed the paperwork on the bedside table and started gathering her belongings.

“Did you bring the car?” she asked.

“Yes.”

The lie slipped out before I could stop it.

“And Adrian?” she asked softly. My fingers tightened around the cardigan in my hands.

Of course she would ask that.

“He’s busy today.”

A faint frown creased her forehead.

“Busy?”She gave me that look mothers have when they already know the truth.

“He didn’t want to worry you ma,” I said quietly.

“And he is really busy.” If she knew about the contract, it would break her heart.

To her, Adrian was simply my generous boyfriend who had stepped in to help when the world turned its back on us.

“That boy works too much.” I let out a small breath as she reached out, brushing my hair back.

He had never missed a single hospital visit. Not once.

Rain or snow, he always stood outside the hospital entrance in that expensive suit, holding the car door open for my mother like she was royalty.

“He’s a good man, Eva,” I blinked, fighting the surge of tears. Memories of us together rushed into my chest.

“Yes ma." He was a good man, just not mine anymore.

“You should thank him again when you see him, and invite him over for a meal. Doctors like these don’t come cheap.” she added. I adjusted the strap of her bag on my shoulder.

“I know ma.”

She didn't stop talking of Adrian on the drive home.

“You’re very quiet today.” She said after studying my face.

“I’m just tired.”

“You didn’t sleep well?” I wanted to say yes, not after staring at my phone all night, half-expecting it to ring.

“I slept fine.” I said.

The rest of the drive was quiet. When we reached our apartment, my mother looked around in surprise.

“You brought me here?” I nodded.

“But Adrian’s place is more comfortable.”

My throat tightened.

“This is home mum,” I said gently and she seemed satisfied with that answer, and didn't push it.

Once she was settled on the couch with a blanket and tea, the apartment was quiet.

“You should call Adrian tonight,” she murmured.

“To thank him again.”

“I will.” and within minutes she fell asleep and the house was painfully silent.

My phone screen was dark with no missed calls or messages. A little part in me hoped to see him today because he never forgot a single hospital appointment.

After making sure her breathing stayed steady.

I quietly slipped into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. The moment the lock clicked, my control shattered and my hand flew to my mouth and the tears came.

I leaned against the sink trying to silent, mum couldn't hear me, she shouldn't know.

Adrian always said I looked strongest when I smiled.

Right now, the girl staring back from the mirror looked like a widow.

“Thank you for everything Adrian….” I muttered softly... “thank you for letting me live my dream.”

My phone suddenly buzzed on the counter.

I wiped my face quickly and picked it up.

An unknown number.

My stomach tightened as I opened the message.

“You should watch your back, bitch.” My fingers froze around the phone and the bathroom felt too small.

Just one thought crossed my mind.

Valentina had arrived.