Chapter 19 - The Class Reunion (Part 1)
1262 Words
Adrian lit a cigarette, his mood restless.
Lucas's words echoed in his mind for a long time. He didn't snap out of it until the light in Willow's room upstairs went out. Only then did he pull himself together and head home.
When he arrived home, it was pitch black. Adrian remembered that no matter how late he came back, Willow always used to leave a light on for him.
But now there was nothing. Willow was gone, and the light she had always kept burning for him had gone out too.
The house was dark, cold, empty. The feeling of being surrounded by loneliness was unbearable.
So for all those countless days and nights before, had Willow spent them all alone like this? What did she do at home by herself?
Thinking this, Adrian's eyes actually grew hot. Maybe in this relationship, he had truly been wrong.
He looked at the divorce agreement still sitting on the table in its original spot. This time, she hadn't even taken Mrs. Wright with her...
"Sir, did the missus not come back?" Mrs. Wright heard the noise and rubbed her eyes as she came out.
"What does the missus usually do at home?" Adrian didn't answer Mrs. Wright's question. Instead, he asked one of his own.
"The missus? She paints at home, reads books, occasionally calls the young lady, and then..." Mrs. Wright hesitated.
Adrian looked at Mrs. Wright.
"And then she waits for you. She's always waiting for you," Mrs. Wright sighed.
She felt sorry for the missus too.
Adrian looked at the sofa, the garden. It seemed like every corner of the house held the lonely figure of Willow waiting for him.
Adrian felt a tightness in his chest.
"Mrs. Wright, do me a favor," Adrian looked up at Mrs. Wright, a plea in his eyes.
Mrs. Wright couldn't bear to see Adrian looking so defeated. She nodded.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Willow...
Only after seeing Adrian finally leave did Willow let out a sigh of relief.
Lying on the bed, Willow stared blankly at the ceiling, thinking about what Lucas had said to her that evening.
Actually, what Lucas had said really moved her. She had never given up on painting. If she could turn something she loved into a job that could support herself and the baby, that would be wonderful. She would need a skill to support herself and her child in the future.
Thinking of the baby in her belly.
The doctor had said she needed to rest in bed to protect the pregnancy lately, and...
Looking at her still-flat stomach, Willow couldn't help but feel a little worried.
As the weather gradually grew warmer, she was wearing fewer and fewer layers.
Although Willow dressed loosely, by the time summer truly arrived, she definitely wouldn't be able to hide her belly anymore.
She needed to get the divorce finalized before Adrian found out. So the matter of opening a studio would have to be put on hold for now.
Willow sighed and checked her bank balance. She was a little distressed.
Over the years, Willow had simply swiped Adrian's card whenever she needed something. She barely ever used cash. So much so that... Willow had almost forgotten her own bank card PIN. She tried several times before getting it right. Looking at the truly meager balance in her account, Willow felt a little regret.
So would it be okay to revise the divorce agreement a bit now? Willow rested her cheek on her hand, thinking.
Of course not! A poor person still has their pride! She had boldly declared she could leave with nothing. Willow, straighten your back! Yes! Don't bow down for five pecks of rice!!
With a tragic heart, the next day Willow slept in late. When she woke up, her mouth felt incredibly dry.
"Mrs. Wright, I want some snow fungus and pear soup," Willow said in a daze, her eyes still closed.
After a while with no response, she opened her eyes and looked at the home that was both familiar and strange. Only then did she remember - she had moved out. Mrs. Wright wasn't here.
Ah... Day two of missing Mrs. Wright...
She got up and poured herself a glass of water. Her phone vibrated again. Willow picked it up and saw a lot of messages.
From Sophie, from Lucas, and... from Adrian.
"Little Willow, are you still sleeping?" Sophie called right on time.
"Mm, I'm up. I overslept. What's up?" Willow's voice still had a sleepy nasal tone.
"Did you see the group chat? High school reunion! This Saturday. Let's go together!" Sophie sounded excited.
Ah... high school reunion. Willow was thinking about whether to go.
"Don't hesitate, just go! our old teacher is going too! Perfect chance to see the old man," Sophie persuaded Willow.
"Sure, let's go together," Willow nodded, thinking of her high school class teacher.
After hanging up, Willow checked her messages one by one.
Among them, Lucas's message was also about the reunion.
This high school reunion, he was actually going too? Wait, wasn't he a senior? What was he doing at their high school reunion?
Then Willow figured it out.
Every year, the reunion would invite some outstanding alumni to join. Everyone would discuss their experiences after graduation, whether in employment or further studies.
Lucas must have been invited as an outstanding alumnus.
Lucas had messaged Willow to invite her to the reunion too.
"Sorry, Sophie asked me first. I'll go with her. Let's just meet at the school," Willow declined Lucas's kind offer.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Willow opened the door.
"Missus, you haven't eaten yet, right? I'm here to cook~" Mrs. Wright appeared in front of Willow with a beaming smile, carrying large and small bags.
Like a guardian angel!!!
Willow rubbed her eyes.
Good heavens, she couldn't still be dreaming, could she... Why was Mrs. Wright radiating light all over, so dazzling!!
"Missus, are you silly?" Mrs. Wright looked at her stunned missus with a mix of laughter and exasperation, waving her hand.
"Why are you here, Mrs. Wright? I missed you so much!!"
"The master sent me. I'll come to take care of your meals whenever I'm free from now on. Don't worry, it's all on the master's card," Mrs. Wright winked at Willow.
At this moment, Willow remembered. Adrian had indeed sent her a message, which she had completely ignored. So this was what it was about.
Watching Mrs. Wright busy in the kitchen, Willow's eyes grew a little moist.
"Mrs. Wright, I want snow fungus and pear soup!" Willow said to Mrs. Wright coyly.
That awful Adrian, what did he mean by sending Mrs. Wright over?
A hostage?
To Willow's surprise, Mrs. Wright really had just come to cook. She busily prepared dinner, and even made breakfast for tomorrow in advance. Not a single unnecessary word.
"Missus, drink the snow fungus and pear soup after dinner. You can just heat up the breakfast tomorrow. I'll come again at noon tomorrow," Mrs. Wright gave Willow a wink.
Like a do-gooder who didn't leave their name, she came in a whirlwind and left in a whirlwind.
Willow looked at the sumptuous dinner on the table, still a little dazed.
What... what was this?
Her brain was still thinking, but her mouth had already started moving.
Ah~ so delicious.
Sure enough, she still needed to fight for custody of Mrs. Wright, ah ptooey... no.
Mrs. Wright: Master, I've infiltrated the missus's inner circle. Don't worry! Guarantee mission completion!
Adrian: ......
- Writer
