Todos los capítulos de Five Years His Wife, Three Days to Leave: Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 10

“Evelyn, Victoria's old room has been empty too long. It's damp. Could you move into the guest room for a while?”Adrian stood in our bedroom doorway, one hand on the handle. Two of his captains waited silently farther down the hall. He spoke in the same matter-of-fact tone he used when giving them orders.I looked at him. He had once come home after a tense meeting with the heads of allied families, dismissed his guards, and buried his face against my neck.“With you, I don't have to watch every word I say.”Now he was asking me to make room for someone else.“I'll move my things.”He paused, apparently expecting an argument, then reached for my bag.“Let me help. You've been at work all day.”I stepped past him.“I can manage.”I opened the wardrobe and began folding my clothes. My ceramic organizers stood on the dressing table, my succulents lined the balcony, and the oil Adrian had bought me sat beside the bed.This was my room, too. I wasn't leaving it because Victoria had a bette

Adrian's smile faded.“Right. You're allergic to seafood.”He put down the spatula and came over, taking my wrist.“Are you feeling all right? Have you been taking your medication?”He remembered that, too. Over the past five years, he had stayed beside me whenever I was ill. I knew his concern was real.Then Victoria appeared in the dining room doorway, a shrimp between her fingers.“It's just one meal, Evelyn. You're not going to make a fuss just because I'm back, are you?”“Victoria, stop.”Adrian took the shrimp from her and turned to the staff.“Have something else prepared for Evelyn. Keep it separate from the seafood.”Then he looked back at me.“It'll take a little time. Victoria's only just come home, and she's enjoying herself. Don't spoil the evening.”He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.“I'll keep you company after she's finished eating.”Once, that gentle voice would have reassured me. He remembered my needs; surely that meant we were all right.Now I could hear the

Evelyn's POVThe apartment I had bought two years ago had been sitting empty ever since. With so little furniture, it would make a good studio.After unpacking, I set up my drafting tools and computer. The next morning, I contacted designers and project managers I'd worked with before.They knew I was still at the architecture firm. What they didn't know was that I was ready to take on projects through a practice of my own. I had already begun discussing freelance arrangements with the firm, so I could finish my existing commitments while building something new.Several colleagues replied quickly. Before long, a project manager named Mr. Carter called.“Remember the urban cultural center renovation I mentioned? We're preparing our bid. Would you lead the design proposal?”I opened the project details.An abandoned factory was to become a public cultural center. Its industrial character had to be preserved while the building was adapted for the surrounding community. Experienced firms w

Adrian's POVAfter visiting the studio, I began checking my phone constantly.Evelyn didn't call. When I asked my lawyer whether there was news, he reported on documents and financial disclosures. Nothing about whether she missed me.At home, I read Lily her bedtime stories and ate dinner with her. Victoria often joined us, but I found reasons to leave the table early.“Are you still dealing with Evelyn's affairs?” she asked one evening.“The divorce hasn't been finalized.”“She's decided to leave. Why keep concerning yourself with her?”“I want things sorted out.”I turned back to my computer before she could ask more.Three days later, the Moretti family held a formal dinner.Victoria arrived in a carefully chosen dress. She talked with the elders about her plans and how attached Lily was becoming to her. I listened without joining in until someone mentioned Evelyn.“I hear her architectural project is going well?”“She's always been capable,” Victoria said. “Without all those househ

Evelyn's POVWe barely had time to celebrate before the client revised the budget.Overall costs had to fall by fifteen percent. The key functions in our proposal were to remain.For two days, my team and I revised drawings and recalculated figures. We simplified details, reconsidered materials, and protected the spaces that mattered most.By the time we resubmitted the proposal, my shoulders ached and my desk was covered in discarded revisions.The client agreed to proceed.I leaned back in my chair. Winning the commission hadn't removed the difficult work. It had given me the chance to do it.I opened the next drawing.Adrian's POVI stopped asking my assistant to contact Evelyn.The lawyers could handle the divorce. I instructed mine to respect her property rights and not to use Lily or the alliance between our families to pressure her.“If she remains determined,” he told me, “you must be prepared to accept the outcome.”“I understand. Follow the proper procedures.”After the call,