Chapter 18 - Never Again
1533 Words
The day after moving back to the old house, Willow unexpectedly received a call from Lucas.
"Willow, I have a few books on parenting psychology. I thought they might be useful for you. Would you like them?" Lucas asked on the other end of the line.
"Sure, thank you, Dr. Harrington," Willow said.
"You're welcome. Should I send them to your home? Or would you prefer to pick them up?"
"No need to send them to that house. I don't live there anymore. I'll come get them. It would be nice to chat too. Are you free today?" Willow asked.
"I'm free. Come whenever you like."
After hanging up with Lucas, Willow took a taxi to the clinic.
Ever since learning she was pregnant, Willow had rarely driven.
"So, how was the vacation?" Lucas greeted her with a smile.
Willow paused for a moment but said nothing.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Lucas noticed something was off about her expression.
Willow nodded.
She let out a sigh, unsure where to begin.
"Take your time. We have plenty of it," Lucas said patiently.
So Willow told him everything that had happened at the resort. Her tone was calm as she spoke, but Lucas could see the sadness beneath her words.
"Maybe it's fate. I'm not going to hold onto false hope anymore," Willow said quietly.
Lucas nodded.
"Have you thought about doing something else to distract yourself?" Lucas asked.
"Something else? Like what?" Willow was taken aback.
She had been cooped up at home for so long that she had almost lost touch with the outside world.
What could she do?
"I remember you mentioned you used to paint. Do you still enjoy it?" Lucas asked.
Painting...
Willow nodded.
If it hadn't been for her grandfather's situation and her marriage to Adrian, her original plan had been to study painting abroad.
"Since you love it, don't give up. You could give it a try," Lucas encouraged.
"Do what? Open a studio, or..." Willow lowered her head, thinking.
She had never considered these things before, but now that Lucas mentioned it, she found herself seriously contemplating it.
"Opening a studio sounds like a great idea," Lucas nodded in approval.
She would need to support herself and the baby eventually. It was time she found a job that could provide for both of them.
Opening a studio seemed perfect. She could teach children to paint. Willow felt she was capable of it, and the more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
"If you're interested, I can help you look into it. There's actually a studio space for rent right across from us," Lucas mentioned casually.
"Thank you so much, Dr. Harrington. I'll think about it and let you know if I need anything. But this really is a wonderful idea." Willow felt like she had found a new purpose again.
"We're quite familiar with each other by now, aren't we? We're friends. You don't need to be so formal with me. And in private, you can call me Lucas," Lucas said with a smile.
Willow nodded.
"It's getting late. Have you eaten?" Lucas glanced at his watch.
Willow shook her head.
Mrs. Wright wasn't here on her first day. She missed her already!
"I know a great Korean restaurant around here. Want to give it a try?" Lucas suggested casually.
"Sure. This time, it's my treat," Willow said with a nod.
"Whatever you say," Lucas smiled.
They had dinner near Lucas's clinic. The area was bustling with plenty of good food. It seemed like a nice neighborhood.
"Dr. Harrington, do you think I can handle running a studio?" Willow asked hesitantly halfway through the meal.
"It's not about what others think. It's about what you think. Besides, I believe you can do it," Lucas said, passing her a bowl of cooled soup.
"Have a little faith in yourself. Stop doubting yourself all the time." Lucas reached out and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Mm, I'll give it some serious thought. Thank you!" Willow said gratefully.
"I told you, no need to be so polite. We're friends now," Lucas said.
Willow smiled and nodded.
"I'll drive you home later," Lucas said, pulling out her chair like a gentleman.
"Then I'll trouble you," Willow accepted his kindness.
He drove her to her new place. Willow had truly moved out.
"Dr. Harrington, thank you. And thanks for the books. I'll read them carefully. I'll be going now," Willow said.
"Call me Lucas," Lucas looked at her seriously.
Willow was startled for a moment, then nodded.
"So, you've really decided to give up on this relationship?" Lucas suddenly asked.
"Mm. When it comes to love, one-sided effort is useless. And you know my situation well enough. Letting go is the best choice for me. I don't want to keep hurting myself anymore," Willow said softly, lowering her head.
"I'm glad, Willow," Lucas looked at her and said.
Willow looked at him, a little confused, not quite understanding what he meant.
"I'm glad you're willing to make a change. I want to see you get better," Lucas said.
This silly girl was still as naive as ever.
"Mm, I will. I'll do my best!" Willow nodded firmly.
Lucas got out of the car to open the door for her.
"So this is your reason for the divorce?"
The moment Willow stepped out of the car, she heard that familiar voice.
It was Adrian.
What was he doing here?
Lucas said nothing. He simply stared straight at Adrian, a hint of hostility flickering in his eyes.
Adrian didn't look well.
Well, of course he didn't.
Adrian had spent the last two days dealing with and investigating the accident at the construction site. He had been so busy he hadn't even had time to eat.
He remembered he had been working through the night. He wanted to go home for a shower and to talk to Willow. But when he got home, what did he see?
Mrs. Wright with red-rimmed eyes, stammering that the missus was gone. There was something left for him on the table.
A divorce agreement.
Adrian's bloodshot eyes stung at the sight.
He rushed upstairs. Willow's personal belongings were gone. Her documents were gone. She had only taken some clothes and left.
Not a single word of farewell. She just left a divorce agreement and walked out!
Where else could she go?
Adrian had rushed straight to Willow's old house.
The first thing he saw was Willow getting out of the car with that pretty boy, laughing and talking. It was that pretty boy again!!!
"What are you doing here?" Willow's expression darkened when she saw Adrian.
"What do you think?" Adrian was absolutely furious.
"Didn't Mrs. Wright give it to you?" Willow asked, puzzled.
She had!
"Willow, if this is about what happened at the resort, I can explain," Adrian reached for her hand.
"Let go of me," Willow frowned.
"Weren't we fine when we were at the resort?" Adrian asked, bewildered.
He shouldn't have brought it up. And yet he did!
Willow tried to shake him off.
"You're hurting her," Lucas intervened.
Adrian watched as Willow pulled away from him, then glanced at that pretty boy (no!!!), his face darkening.
"So is it because of him?" Adrian fixed his gaze on Willow, not wanting to miss a single expression on her face.
"What does Lucas have to do with anything? Stop acting crazy," Willow looked at Adrian. He was acting like a husband who had caught his wife cheating.
"Lucas? You've certainly gotten close," Adrian sneered.
Willow didn't want to get entangled with Adrian any further.
"Go back and think it over. I'm willing to leave with nothing. If that's not acceptable, then we'll get lawyers involved," Willow said calmly.
"It's because I left early, isn't it? I know it was wrong, but there was an accident at the company's construction site. Olivia got hurt, and thankfully she spotted the problem, or else..." Adrian didn't finish his sentence.
"Did she die?" Willow asked.
Adrian was stunned.
"She just hurt her leg," Adrian said.
Willow looked almost disappointed.
"Are her parents no longer alive either?" Willow continued to ask, puzzled.
So she had no family? Was she all alone like Willow? Was that why Adrian had to go?
"No..." Adrian frowned.
For a moment, something flashed through his mind, but Adrian didn't catch it.
"We have nothing to talk about, Adrian. Let's separate," Willow said, stepping past him.
Adrian tried to step forward, but Lucas suddenly blocked his path.
"Get out of my way," Adrian frowned.
"So you still don't know what the real problem is, do you?" Lucas stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at Adrian with a smile.
Adrian's patience was wearing thin.
"The problem was never about whether you chose Willow or someone else. The problem is that there should never have been a choice in the first place. Willow's world used to revolve around you, and you... you never seemed to learn how to cherish her," Lucas walked past Adrian and said softly.
"Never again," Lucas added as he walked away.
Lucas's words left Adrian frozen in place
- Writer
