Lahat ng Kabanata ng Wedcuffed: Kabanata 231 - Kabanata 240

Sarah POVThree days had already passed since Alessandro requested space, and every hour seemed like it was an eternity.I tried so hard not to be unoccupied. Work became for me a refuge as the only thing grounding me to reality, emails, meetings, tasks formerly outsourced now consumed all of my focus. The void inside my chest remained. Not one of them filled up on it. They did not fill my chest's hollowness.When nighttime came, with the world outside hushed and vanished, Alessandro's words rang loud. The baby rested in his crib, finally.I believe “a pause is what we should take.”He did not offer reasons for why. He didn't have to after I'd witnessed him dashing from the building with Mira that night. I sat awaiting the candles' burning down with no defence, no explanation, just silence plus that bomb he'd dropped at three A.M.Since then, I have not heard from him.He did not even ask about Gabriel at all.That bit would be used to keep on cutting through for me whenever I would sh

Sarah’s POVThe days began to blur once again, not in that quiet, strange rhythm of something new, unfamiliar, but in that very same dull ache that then followed Alessandro’s departure. Perhaps what I did not attempt to name.Adrian's presence increased. He was present more often. It was covert, not insistent or suffocating, but not feel that way. Just there. Steady always and present always and warming some small patch of your shadow unremarkable at first like as a lamp quietly turned on in a dim room.Alessandro had left behind him silences that he had started filling in for us on our routines. Gabriel laughed more when he was present. That giggle, which was squealing and hiccup-laced, did spill out from his tiny chest when Adrian made some ridiculous faces or when he sang off-key versions of nursery rhymes.That afternoon, I watched them then. Adrian gently bounced him upon one knee then. With some sticky hands, Gabriel then reached for his nose.Adrian chuckled while kissing his fo

Sarah POVI don't know when it became normal for Adrian to be here, filling the spaces Alessandro left behind.At first, it was uncomfortable then. Unwelcome, even.Adrian's presence would complicate matters, but I told myself I could handle all things I needed no aid. Eventually, he wore me down, though.Pressure will not work. Guilt, even, will not work either.With kindness.My hair was messy, my eyes were heavy from another sleepless night, so I walked into the kitchen at six in the morning as a new coffee mug sat on the counter. He silently delivered a package after I forgot to change the diaper.He was slowly walking along with my child in his arms while singing softly under his breath, and I hadn't even noticed Adrian was still around when Gabriel got irritable at 2 a.m.I never owed a thing to him. Never asked for anything.It was… easy.I resented needing ease at precisely that moment then.Tonight, after Gabriel had curled up into his cot, I went back downstairs since I was

Sarah POVI wasn't so sure of the reason that I agreed.I dismissed it initially when Ester mentioned the business party; I told her I was overwhelmed by work deadlines and Gabriel’s schedules, occupied and exhausted. She gave me that certain kind of stare. The look said, “Sarah, you require a night out or you will turn to dust.”I stood here facing the mirror therefore I smoothed the silky emerald-green dress Ester gave me. It fit far too well and hugged curves I hadn’t paid attention to in months. Because it left me feeling simultaneously vulnerable along with visible, it was a bad fit.Ester stated “You look stunning” and smiled from behind me. Because her hair was tied up, she represented effortless style while donning impressive gold earrings plus a smooth black jumpsuit. “Honestly, Alessandro’s jaw is going to drop to the ground, I can tell to you that.”I stiffened. “This isn’t about him.”She arched a brow. “Mm-hm.”I did smooth down the fabric, sighing once again. “It’s not.”

Adrian’s POVI watched from across the room, a glass of whiskey in hand, fingers drumming slowly against the side.There she was.Sarah.Radiant and also delicate, my Sarah stood there under the terrace lights' golden glow, and her head was held just a little too high up, and her smile was just a little too forced then.And there he was.Alessandro.His mouth was pulled back into that faint cold smirk and his hand was casually resting on Jessica’s lower back like a dark shadow at the room's edge.Perfect.Absolutely perfect.I hid a slow smile behind my own drink.This was working better. I thought that it was not even this good.Sarah fought in order to keep her life together across months, watched by me. Alessandro deserted spaces I’d been calmly drifting silently into. Bottles and also diapers as well as doctor appointments were among all of the challenges. Rocking late at night became a battle when Gabriel refused sleep.I was careful. Never do make her feel cornered or ever seem l