012

THE atmosphere in the lounge was alive with soft music, golden lights flickering against crystal glasses, and the murmur of laughter from nearby tables. Adrian leaned back in his chair, casually tapping his fingers on the armrest as he chatted lightly with Jakes.

Just then, that subtle click of high heels approached their table. Both men glanced up, but Adrian’s expression changed instantly the moment his eyes caught her. Vivian. She was gliding toward their table with effortless elegance, wrapped in a short designer gown that shimmered under the lights. Her pink designer purse dangled from her hand like it was born to match her. Her expensive perfume filled the air within seconds.

Adrian’s face split into a wide smile before he could even stop himself. She returned it with a soft, alluring one of her own.

“Baby,” she breathed sweetly, leaning in to kiss his cheek before taking the chair Leonard had just vacated.

Jakes gave her a polite nod from over his glass. 

“Evening, Vivian.”

“Good evening, Jakes,” she replied warmly, her voice like honey, before her gaze shifted back to Adrian, lingering, soft and deliberate.

“You look… breathtaking tonight,” Adrian said smoothly, his tone full of admiration.

Vivian’s lashes fluttered, and a blush touched her cheeks as she lowered her eyes. 

“You flatter me.”

“Not nearly enough,” Adrian countered, taking her delicate hand into his. He brushed his lips across the back of her palm, lingering just long enough to make her giggle like a child caught in a sweet secret.

“I see someone is in a charming mood tonight,” she teased, trying to mask her delight.

“Only because someone walked in and stole the night,” he said, still holding her hand.

Vivian’s giggle spilled into a soft laugh before she pulled her hand back, her eyes darting to the table. 

“So… what are we drinking here?”

“Whiskey,” Adrian said, lifting his glass lightly.

“Scotch,” Jakes added in his usual quiet tone.

Vivian wrinkled her nose slightly. 

“Hmm… too strong for me.” Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “I will take champagne.”

Adrian gave a small nod, still grinning. 

“Alright, my lady, champagne you shall have.” He snapped his fingers slightly and turned to look for a waiter.

Vivian watched him, her eyes glowing with amusement. She tilted her head, resting her elbow on the table. 

“I must admit, Adrian, you always know how to make a lady feel special.”

“And you,” he replied, signaling to the waiter, “always know how to light up a room without trying.”

The waiter approached, bowing slightly. Adrian gestured toward Vivian. 

“A glass of your finest champagne, for the lady.”

“Yes, sir,” the waiter replied, hurrying away.

As the moment lingered, Vivian leaned closer toward Adrian, her perfume still delicate and intoxicating. 

“I could get used to this, you know,” she whispered with a sly smile.

Adrian’s grin deepened, his gaze locking onto hers. 

“Good. Because I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”

***

Adrian pushed open the door to the master bedroom slowly, as though his presence needed permission before entering. The soft glow from the bedside lamp cast a gentle hue across the room, making it feel heavier than usual. In his hand, he carried a small, elegant white gift bag. On the front, in sleek cursive, the words read: For you — I’m sorry.

His eyes shifted immediately to Amelia. She was seated before the dresser, her posture poised but cold, her attention fixed on the tablet lying flat on the polished surface. Her finger slid across the screen rhythmically, scrolling and scrolling through catalogs of fabric swatches and chic designs, another restock for her boutique.

She glanced briefly at him when he entered but turned back just as quickly, her indifference sharper than words. Adrian sighed, his chest tightening, and walked up to her. He lowered himself onto one knee beside her chair, the gift bag dangling helplessly from his hand.

“Babe,” he started, his voice was low, tentative, a mixture of guilt and desperation. “I know I have wronged you. I know what I did, or rather, what I failed to do. It was supposed to be so simple. Just my presence… just being there for you and Hazel. That was all you asked. That was all she asked. And yet I failed, failed as a husband, failed as a father.”

His words trembled at the edges. He placed the bag gently on the floor and looked up at her, his eyes holding hers even when hers tried to drift away.

“I can’t take back that night,” he continued, swallowing hard. “But I need you to know it is eating me up. While you were here waiting… while Hazel was waiting with her little heart full of hope, I was out. Careless. Thoughtless. I should have been home, with you, with her.”

For the first time, Amelia turned fully to him. Her eyes softened, though the weight of disappointment still lingered. 

“Adrian…” her voice cracked slightly, but she steadied it. “Do you even realize what that dinner meant? It wasn’t about me. Hazel wanted it. She begged for it. You are never around at dinner, and she wanted just one night, her idea, her planning, her excitement. She set the table herself. She held her card the whole evening, waiting for you.”

Adrian shut his eyes briefly, guilt pressing harder than any weight he had ever carried.

“She waited until she fell asleep,” Amelia whispered, her voice breaking now. “Clutching that card she made specially for you. She didn’t even eat. Do you know that? Your daughter went to bed hungry that night. And so did I. The food sat untouched, Adrian. We sat untouched.”

Adrian exhaled deeply, rubbing his face with one hand. The image of Hazel, his little girl, sitting at the dinner table with her card in hand, waiting for him, stabbed at him like a thousand knives.

“I know,” he said softly. “And it kills me. Babe, I promise you, no more. No more missed dinners. No more work standing between us. I will change. I will be here. I will show up for you, for Hazel. I won’t let this family slip through my fingers because of my foolishness and nonchalancy.”

Amelia studied him for a long while. His eyes, those same dreamy eyes that once looked at her with vow-bound certainty on their wedding day, still held that same spark. His handsome features softened now, vulnerable in a way that reminded her of that moment they pledged forever. Slowly, her lips curved into a smile, small at first, then fuller, brighter.

Adrian noticed immediately. His own lips spread into a grin, and just like that, the air in the room seemed lighter. It wasn’t the lamp, it was them. The glow between two souls finding one another again, even through cracks.

He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her as though he never wanted to let go. Pulling back, he lifted the white bag from the floor and pressed it into her hands. 

“I got this for you.”

She glanced at it and then back at him, her smile softer now. 

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He cupped her cheek gently, his thumb brushing across her skin. 

“No… thank you. Thank you for forgiving me, for staying, for still being here.” His lips trailed to her forehead, pressing tender kisses, one after another, a cascade of remorse and devotion.

She placed the bag on the dresser, leaning back slightly. 

“You know you shouldn’t go running to Mom every time we have issues, right?” Her tone was firm, but her eyes sparkled with gentleness.

Adrian chuckled sheepishly. 

“I didn’t know what else to do, baby. I panicked. I’m sorry.”

“Stop it,” Amelia said, shaking her head, though a smile played at her lips. “You are married to me, not her. Stop washing our dirty linens in public. If you truly want us to stop having issues… then you already know what to do.”

He grinned, nodding slowly. 

“I know, baby. I know.”

He leaned in again, kissing her forehead, her cheek, then brushing his lips softly against hers. And for the first time in days, the heaviness between them began to lift, replaced by something warmer, stronger, the promise of love rekindled.