Chapter 3

“It's over” Her voice broke before the words could fully settle. She turned away from the window, pressing her palm to her mouth, but the sound still slipped through.

Tyler didn’t say a word. The silence on the other end felt tight, restrained and dangerous.

Tyler was the second son of the Crowdey family, the one people spoke about in lowered voices.

While Chase was calm and charming. Tyler was neither.

Chase had always walked away with what Tyler wanted most. From positions to even the woman he adored.

“It’s for the best, A.” His voice held no warmth.

Adele bit her lips hard, trying to stop herself from crying. They had once been inseparable. Then she married his brother and Tyler stopped caring and disappeared.

It was like he changed completely, he even left without saying goodbye to her.

“I guess it is.” She said softly and hung up while nodding her head. 

Adele stared at her phone, wishing she hadn’t dialed at all. She had just thought things would be like old times when Tyler would literally do anything to uplift her mood.

***

Two days had passed since Chase mentioned the divorce. He hadn't called her and Frank had only said something about taking a week to get the papers ready again. 

Adele was miserable, her face was filled with visible lines from so much crying. 

Then her phone rang, she immediately picked it up, excitement filling her drained eyes.

His voice sounded rough, exhausted, yet hearing it eased something tight in her chest.

“Why didn’t you reply to my text?” Chase asked.

“I…I uh… didn't see the need to since Frank was already here.” She replied.

Silence stretched between them.

Adele couldn't help but think about how Chase would call her every minute, just to check up on her and keep her updated. Now it was just weird.

“He said there were some errors with the paperwork and would be ready next week. But I am quite sure he already read every term”

“Yes he did”. She replied shortly.

“You deserve everything, Adele,” he murmured. “I won’t let you suffer because of this.” He slurred, then he went silent again.

Adele wanted to scream. She wanted to ask him if he was an idiot. She didn't care about all of these things.

“Yeah! It's okay but you don't really have to…..” The rest of her sentences hung onto air.

“Honey! I made the bathtub, come take your bath.” A woman’s voice drifted through the line.

Adele could recognize the voice, it was the voice she could never have, the same one she thought she could blindly compete with.

The phone hung up immediately, she tried calling back but his phone was suddenly switched off. All Adele could feel was agony. Her throat tightened until swallowing became painful.

She threw her phone to the ground, her heart heaving hard. So he couldn't even wait for the divorce he was already with her?

“I hate you Chase! I hate youuuu.” Adele yelled. 

She couldn’t stay in the house for a second more.

Minutes later, she found herself seated in a quiet restaurant.

She didn't know anywhere else to go, since she hardly goes out. And the club wasn't an option because she was pregnant. Adele ordered her juice and was sipping gently, her face insipid.

She thought about what she would actually do after the divorce. It will be just her and her baby against the world.

“Are you really going to sit here and fall apart over a man who doesn’t want you?” A voice echoed from behind.

Adele froze, the voice was familiar, it was just the same as before and even better.

“Ty…Tyy. You came.” She stood up and hugged him, her tears soaked into his crisp shirt.

Then she suddenly frowned and distanced herself then sat down. How did he even find her?

“You didn't have to come, Tyler.” It was crazy that he was here.

Tyler's gaze darkened as he sat opposite her. His gaze was fixed on her perfect oval face, her long lashes that were wet from so much crying. He wanted to run his hands through her face but he couldn't. She was still his wife. He thought with a sting to his heart.

“I couldn't bear it Adele, you sounded so broken. I am so sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier on the phone, I… I wish I could take your pain away.”

Adele frowned hard again, “And yet you left without good bye.” Her face scrunched up, brows furrowing hard.

“I…I.” He stuttered. How could he explain that he couldn't watch her be with someone else, let alone his brother.

“You hate me Ty… and you abandoned me. It's so unfair, you are my big bro, you are supposed to be there for me.” She said through tears, her hands holding hard onto her glass cup.

Tyler couldn't lie that her words didn't sting. Would she ever notice him?

“You don't have to cry over him, Adele, you know he has hazel. You need to be strong.” His hands moved to hers and held her tight.

“Come back to Canada with me,” he said quietly. “Start over.”His eyes brightened with hope. 

But Hazel held his hands back. “It's not that easy Tyler. His parents are my parents too, I can't abandon them. It will break them.”

Tyler immediately moved his hands, his nose flaring in restrained anger.

“They miss you, you know. Come home Ty.”

“Don't….” Tyler interjected, his eyes hardening, she was almost scared. 

“I am so sorry Adele, I scared you. We should be talking about you.” His gaze softened and returned to her delicate face.

“I know it's not easy, but I will be here this week in case you change your mind. I will always be here for you Adele.” He looked down trying to hide the pain in his eyes.

Meanwhile a few feet away from their table and entering into the restaurant was Zain, Chase's best friend.

He immediately stopped as soon as he saw them. Tyler and Adele, they looked so much like a loving couple.

He couldn't help it but his hands formed into fists as he looked at them. So this was the person she truly loved. While his bro suffered she was here with her lover.

He was going to take matters into his own hands. He marched towards them.

A shadow fell across their table. Then a fist slammed down.

“If you never loved him,” Zain snapped, “why marry him at all?”

Adele flinched but Tyler remained unfazed.

“What are you talking about?” She asked him with mixed expressions.

“I am saying, how about you stop flirting and focus on your husband.He's hurting you know.” Zain’s jaw locked.

“Don't listen to him Adele, let's just get you home okay!”

“Listen I know you hate your brother but leave his wife out of this!” He said before facing Adele again.

“You are so heartless Adele, all he ever did was love you, why don't you even care?” He raised a bag that seemed to contain medicine.

A faint crease formed on her forehead. What was he saying? Wasn't he with Hazel and didn't he know they were getting divorced?

“Look, I bought medication,” Zain said, lifting the bag. 

“What for? Are you sick?” Adele was genuinely confused. Chase was supposed to be with Hazel. She heard her voice clearly.

“No! But Chase is.”

“What!” Adele exclaimed.

“He is a mess! He has been drunk for days in my house and is sick.” He needs treatment. That's why I got some drugs and even came here to get some food for him.”

Tyler's fist Tightened. He didn't want to hear any of this.

“If you have even a shred of humanity,” Zain said, “you’ll come with me to see him.”