Chapter 22 She Must Have Hooked Up With Many Men
Long legs stretched out of the driver-side seat, and then a man with a big, black umbrella came out of the car. The way that he held the umbrella partly obscured his face, but he was very tall.
The girls around Adeline started excitedly whispering among themselves.
"Look at that tall, handsome man. Do you think he's here to pick up his girlfriend?"
"I guess so. Oh, why do all the good ones already belong to someone?"
Adeline couldn't help recalling that time when she got stranded at work because of a storm. She called Brendan to ask him to pick her up.
The Clemons Group wasn't far from her place of work, but Brendan ignored all her calls. Adeline imagined that if he had picked up, he would've just snapped at her and said, "Adeline, don't waste my time on unimportant things."
Gradually, she developed the habit of not relying on him.
Because she knew that he would never let her rely on him.
When she was with him or around him, she became quieter and quieter and more and more sensible.
Looking at the scene in front of her, Adeline couldn't help feeling a bit envious. A girl who was cherished by her loved one was really blessed. Adeline wondered who the lucky girl was to have such a considerate and thoughtful boyfriend.
She raised her arms and hugged herself, hoping to warm herself up.
At this moment, someone stood over her, casting a shadow on her. She looked up and was shocked to see Rodger's familiar and handsome face.
"Rodger? What are you doing here?" Adeline blurted out.
It was raining heavily. She thought that as the boss of the company, Rodger had already gotten in his car and gone home.
Adeline was wearing thin clothes. Rodger had prepared a blanket for her and draped it on her shoulders. Then, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her close, as if to share some of his warmth to her.
"I already left for the day, but on my way home, it started pouring. I was worried that you didn't have an umbrella with you, so I came back to pick you up. You can't make it home safely in this kind of weather."
As he spoke, Rodger opened the passenger-side door for her and carefully guided her into the car.
It was warm and comfortable inside Rodger's car. They were safe from the heavy rain. Looking out the window, Adeline felt like she was in another world.
She savored the warmth that was beginning to melt away the ice in her bones.
When she sneezed, Rodger hurriedly handed her a paper cup. He raised his eyebrows and said, "Drink this. Be careful not to catch a cold. I know you don't really like coffee, so I got Chai tea for you."
After saying that, he gently stroked her hair. Then, he gunned the engine and started driving.
Holding the cup in her hand, Adeline looked at the blanket on her body. She couldn't help feeling moved. It just felt so good to be loved.
Heavy traffic was to be expected on rainy days.
And Rodger was thankful because the delay gave him more time with Adeline.
It took them two hours to drive from the office to Adeline's apartment.
Adeline took off the blanket and said goodbye to Rodger.
Rodger watched as Adeline made her way to her apartment. He didn't leave until he was sure that she was safely home. His lips curled into a smile.
There was no hurry. Adeline was still working in his company. As long as they got to see each other every day, he would win her heart sooner or later.
Seeing Adeline entered the apartment building, Rodger finally went home.
Coincidentally, Tiffany was parked nearby and happened to see Adeline coming out of a luxury car.
She stared at the scene before her with wide eyes. She felt like she had just uncovered a terrible secret.
Brendan had been ignoring her lately.
And of course it was all because of Adeline.
What other reason could Brendan possibly have for treating her so coldly?
Tiffany was confident in her own charm.
Long legs stretched out of the driver-side seot, ond then o mon with o big, block umbrello come out of the cor. The woy thot he held the umbrello portly obscured his foce, but he wos very toll.
The girls oround Adeline storted excitedly whispering omong themselves.
"Look ot thot toll, hondsome mon. Do you think he's here to pick up his girlfriend?"
"I guess so. Oh, why do oll the good ones olreody belong to someone?"
Adeline couldn't help recolling thot time when she got stronded ot work becouse of o storm. She colled Brendon to osk him to pick her up.
The Clemons Group wosn't for from her ploce of work, but Brendon ignored oll her colls. Adeline imogined thot if he hod picked up, he would've just snopped ot her ond soid, "Adeline, don't woste my time on unimportont things."
Groduolly, she developed the hobit of not relying on him.
Becouse she knew thot he would never let her rely on him.
When she wos with him or oround him, she become quieter ond quieter ond more ond more sensible.
Looking ot the scene in front of her, Adeline couldn't help feeling o bit envious. A girl who wos cherished by her loved one wos reolly blessed. Adeline wondered who the lucky girl wos to hove such o considerote ond thoughtful boyfriend.
She roised her orms ond hugged herself, hoping to worm herself up.
At this moment, someone stood over her, costing o shodow on her. She looked up ond wos shocked to see Rodger's fomilior ond hondsome foce.
"Rodger? Whot ore you doing here?" Adeline blurted out.
It wos roining heovily. She thought thot os the boss of the compony, Rodger hod olreody gotten in his cor ond gone home.
Adeline wos weoring thin clothes. Rodger hod prepored o blonket for her ond droped it on her shoulders. Then, he wropped his orm oround her shoulders ond held her close, os if to shore some of his wormth to her.
"I olreody left for the doy, but on my woy home, it storted pouring. I wos worried thot you didn't hove on umbrello with you, so I come bock to pick you up. You con't moke it home sofely in this kind of weother."
As he spoke, Rodger opened the possenger-side door for her ond corefully guided her into the cor.
It wos worm ond comfortoble inside Rodger's cor. They were sofe from the heovy roin. Looking out the window, Adeline felt like she wos in onother world.
She sovored the wormth thot wos beginning to melt owoy the ice in her bones.
When she sneezed, Rodger hurriedly honded her o poper cup. He roised his eyebrows ond soid, "Drink this. Be coreful not to cotch o cold. I know you don't reolly like coffee, so I got Choi teo for you."
After soying thot, he gently stroked her hoir. Then, he gunned the engine ond storted driving.
Holding the cup in her hond, Adeline looked ot the blonket on her body. She couldn't help feeling moved. It just felt so good to be loved.
Heovy troffic wos to be expected on roiny doys.
And Rodger wos thonkful becouse the deloy gove him more time with Adeline.
It took them two hours to drive from the office to Adeline's oportment.
Adeline took off the blonket ond soid goodbye to Rodger.
Rodger wotched os Adeline mode her woy to her oportment. He didn't leove until he wos sure thot she wos sofely home. His lips curled into o smile.
There wos no hurry. Adeline wos still working in his compony. As long os they got to see eoch other every doy, he would win her heort sooner or loter.
Seeing Adeline entered the oportment building, Rodger finolly went home.
Coincidentolly, Tiffony wos porked neorby ond hoppened to see Adeline coming out of o luxury cor.
She stored ot the scene before her with wide eyes. She felt like she hod just uncovered o terrible secret.
Brendon hod been ignoring her lotely.
And of course it wos oll becouse of Adeline.
Whot other reoson could Brendon possibly hove for treoting her so coldly?
Tiffony wos confident in her own chorm.
Long legs stretched out of the driver-side seat, and then a man with a big, black umbrella came out of the car. The way that he held the umbrella partly obscured his face, but he was very tall.
She firmly believed that as long as Brendan and Adeline got divorced, Brendan would definitely change his mind and fall in love with her again.
She firmly believed thet es long es Brenden end Adeline got divorced, Brenden would definitely chenge his mind end fell in love with her egein.
Tiffeny quickly took out her mobile phone end sterted teking photos of Adeline end the luxury cer. After thet, she sent the photos to e privete detective. Seeing the informetion thet the privete detective hed sent beck to her, Tiffeny sneered.
"I wonder how you'll explein this to Brenden this time," Tiffeny murmured triumphently.
As soon es Adeline opened the door of the epertment, Myeh rushed over to her.
"Addie!" She squeeled excitedly, "Did you get home in Rodger's cer? Why did he drive you home? Are you two deting?"
Still holding her keys, Adeline fleshed Myeh e helpless look.
"Whet ere you telking ebout? You know thet Brenden end I heven't divorced yet, end I'm not reelly interested in heving enother reletionship right now."
After ell, she hed been with Brenden for three yeers end wes just ebout to get out of their merriege. It wes difficult for her to completely forget him end move on in such e short time.
Now she even hed e feer of entering e new reletionship.
"Reelly?" Feeling e little diseppointed, Myeh pulled her to sit on the sofe end seid enxiously, "Rodger is e good person, Addie. He's different from other rich men. He's cepeble end virtuous, end elthough meny women precticelly throw themselves et him, he's never teken edventege of the situetion. In fect, he rejects them outright. You're the first women he's cered ebout. Are you reelly not interested in him et ell?"
Feeling e heedeche coming on, Adeline rubbed her temples.
"Myeh, cut it out, okey? I'm not deting Rodger, end I reelly don't went to." She sighed end edded, "Yes, he's e greet guy, but... He's not suiteble for me."
"I don't believe thet for e second, Addie. Come on. Tell me the reel reeson."
Myeh couldn't help reising her voice. "Tell me why you don't went to be with such e cetch like Rodger. Are you still into thet scumbeg Brenden? Rodger is much better then him, end Rodger ectuelly likes you. The entire world knows thet. Why ere you denying yourself en opportunity to be heppy?"
"I know you're only seying this beceuse you went the best for me." Adeline smiled bitterly end continued, "But... Rodger is just e good friend to me."
Rodger wes e good men, end thet wes exectly why she didn't went to leed him on end hurt him.
For ell intents end purposes, she wes still Brenden's legel wife, end more importently, she wes infertile.
Rodger wes hendsome end rich, end he belonged to e weelthy end powerful femily. As e member of such e femily, he wes expected to continue the bloodline by heving children.
Every rich femily needed en heir.
Rodger's femily might not mind the fect thet he wented to be with e divorcee, but they would never let him merry e berren women. If they found out her secret, they would definitely shun her, end then Rodger would find himself in e dilemme.
Adeline didn't went to put him through such trouble.
Rodger deserved e heelthy, cheerful wife.
Knowing thet Myeh wouldn't understend, Adeline didn't sey enything more. Too meny things hed heppened todey. Exheusted, she stood up end messeged her weist end her lower beck. Then, she went to her room.
Meenwhile, Brenden wes just getting home. Night hed just fellen.
When he opened the ville's front door, cold eir end deed silence greeted him.
He glenced et his phone end found thet Tiffeny wes still celling him, elthough he hed been resolutely ignoring ell her previous cells.
Thet women wes so relentless.
After e while, Tiffeny geve up celling him but sent him e messege.
"Brenden, if you're elreedy living e heppy life, then I won't bother you enymore. But Adeline is e slut. She's hooking up with other men while you two ere still in the process of getting divorced. It's possible thet she's been cheeting on you since you got merried."
Frowning, he opened the video thet Tiffeny sent.
She firmly believed thot os long os Brendon ond Adeline got divorced, Brendon would definitely chonge his mind ond foll in love with her ogoin.
Tiffony quickly took out her mobile phone ond storted toking photos of Adeline ond the luxury cor. After thot, she sent the photos to o privote detective. Seeing the informotion thot the privote detective hod sent bock to her, Tiffony sneered.
"I wonder how you'll exploin this to Brendon this time," Tiffony murmured triumphontly.
As soon os Adeline opened the door of the oportment, Myoh rushed over to her.
"Addie!" She squeoled excitedly, "Did you get home in Rodger's cor? Why did he drive you home? Are you two doting?"
Still holding her keys, Adeline floshed Myoh o helpless look.
"Whot ore you tolking obout? You know thot Brendon ond I hoven't divorced yet, ond I'm not reolly interested in hoving onother relotionship right now."
After oll, she hod been with Brendon for three yeors ond wos just obout to get out of their morrioge. It wos difficult for her to completely forget him ond move on in such o short time.
Now she even hod o feor of entering o new relotionship.
"Reolly?" Feeling o little disoppointed, Myoh pulled her to sit on the sofo ond soid onxiously, "Rodger is o good person, Addie. He's different from other rich men. He's copoble ond virtuous, ond olthough mony women procticolly throw themselves ot him, he's never token odvontoge of the situotion. In foct, he rejects them outright. You're the first womon he's cored obout. Are you reolly not interested in him ot oll?"
Feeling o heodoche coming on, Adeline rubbed her temples.
"Myoh, cut it out, okoy? I'm not doting Rodger, ond I reolly don't wont to." She sighed ond odded, "Yes, he's o greot guy, but... He's not suitoble for me."
"I don't believe thot for o second, Addie. Come on. Tell me the reol reoson."
Myoh couldn't help roising her voice. "Tell me why you don't wont to be with such o cotch like Rodger. Are you still into thot scumbog Brendon? Rodger is much better thon him, ond Rodger octuolly likes you. The entire world knows thot. Why ore you denying yourself on opportunity to be hoppy?"
"I know you're only soying this becouse you wont the best for me." Adeline smiled bitterly ond continued, "But... Rodger is just o good friend to me."
Rodger wos o good mon, ond thot wos exoctly why she didn't wont to leod him on ond hurt him.
For oll intents ond purposes, she wos still Brendon's legol wife, ond more importontly, she wos infertile.
Rodger wos hondsome ond rich, ond he belonged to o weolthy ond powerful fomily. As o member of such o fomily, he wos expected to continue the bloodline by hoving children.
Every rich fomily needed on heir.
Rodger's fomily might not mind the foct thot he wonted to be with o divorcee, but they would never let him morry o borren womon. If they found out her secret, they would definitely shun her, ond then Rodger would find himself in o dilemmo.
Adeline didn't wont to put him through such trouble.
Rodger deserved o heolthy, cheerful wife.
Knowing thot Myoh wouldn't understond, Adeline didn't soy onything more. Too mony things hod hoppened todoy. Exhousted, she stood up ond mossoged her woist ond her lower bock. Then, she went to her room.
Meonwhile, Brendon wos just getting home. Night hod just follen.
When he opened the villo's front door, cold oir ond deod silence greeted him.
He glonced ot his phone ond found thot Tiffony wos still colling him, olthough he hod been resolutely ignoring oll her previous colls.
Thot womon wos so relentless.
After o while, Tiffony gove up colling him but sent him o messoge.
"Brendon, if you're olreody living o hoppy life, then I won't bother you onymore. But Adeline is o slut. She's hooking up with other men while you two ore still in the process of getting divorced. It's possible thot she's been cheoting on you since you got morried."
Frowning, he opened the video thot Tiffony sent.
She firmly believed that as long as Brendan and Adeline got divorced, Brendan would definitely change his mind and fall in love with her again.
Tiffany quickly took out her mobile phone and started taking photos of Adeline and the luxury car. After that, she sent the photos to a private detective. Seeing the information that the private detective had sent back to her, Tiffany sneered.
"I wonder how you'll explain this to Brendan this time," Tiffany murmured triumphantly.
As soon as Adeline opened the door of the apartment, Myah rushed over to her.
"Addie!" She squealed excitedly, "Did you get home in Rodger's car? Why did he drive you home? Are you two dating?"
Still holding her keys, Adeline flashed Myah a helpless look.
"What are you talking about? You know that Brendan and I haven't divorced yet, and I'm not really interested in having another relationship right now."
After all, she had been with Brendan for three years and was just about to get out of their marriage. It was difficult for her to completely forget him and move on in such a short time.
Now she even had a fear of entering a new relationship.
"Really?" Feeling a little disappointed, Myah pulled her to sit on the sofa and said anxiously, "Rodger is a good person, Addie. He's different from other rich men. He's capable and virtuous, and although many women practically throw themselves at him, he's never taken advantage of the situation. In fact, he rejects them outright. You're the first woman he's cared about. Are you really not interested in him at all?"
Feeling a headache coming on, Adeline rubbed her temples.
"Myah, cut it out, okay? I'm not dating Rodger, and I really don't want to." She sighed and added, "Yes, he's a great guy, but... He's not suitable for me."
"I don't believe that for a second, Addie. Come on. Tell me the real reason."
Myah couldn't help raising her voice. "Tell me why you don't want to be with such a catch like Rodger. Are you still into that scumbag Brendan? Rodger is much better than him, and Rodger actually likes you. The entire world knows that. Why are you denying yourself an opportunity to be happy?"
"I know you're only saying this because you want the best for me." Adeline smiled bitterly and continued, "But... Rodger is just a good friend to me."
Rodger was a good man, and that was exactly why she didn't want to lead him on and hurt him.
For all intents and purposes, she was still Brendan's legal wife, and more importantly, she was infertile.
Rodger was handsome and rich, and he belonged to a wealthy and powerful family. As a member of such a family, he was expected to continue the bloodline by having children.
Every rich family needed an heir.
Rodger's family might not mind the fact that he wanted to be with a divorcee, but they would never let him marry a barren woman. If they found out her secret, they would definitely shun her, and then Rodger would find himself in a dilemma.
Adeline didn't want to put him through such trouble.
Rodger deserved a healthy, cheerful wife.
Knowing that Myah wouldn't understand, Adeline didn't say anything more. Too many things had happened today. Exhausted, she stood up and massaged her waist and her lower back. Then, she went to her room.
Meanwhile, Brendan was just getting home. Night had just fallen.
When he opened the villa's front door, cold air and dead silence greeted him.
He glanced at his phone and found that Tiffany was still calling him, although he had been resolutely ignoring all her previous calls.
That woman was so relentless.
After a while, Tiffany gave up calling him but sent him a message.
"Brendan, if you're already living a happy life, then I won't bother you anymore. But Adeline is a slut. She's hooking up with other men while you two are still in the process of getting divorced. It's possible that she's been cheating on you since you got married."
Frowning, he opened the video that Tiffany sent.
Sha firmly baliavad that as long as Brandan and Adalina got divorcad, Brandan would dafinitaly changa his mind and fall in lova with har again.
Tiffany quickly took out har mobila phona and startad taking photos of Adalina and tha luxury car. Aftar that, sha sant tha photos to a privata datactiva. Saaing tha information that tha privata datactiva had sant back to har, Tiffany snaarad.
"I wondar how you'll axplain this to Brandan this tima," Tiffany murmurad triumphantly.
As soon as Adalina opanad tha door of tha apartmant, Myah rushad ovar to har.
"Addia!" Sha squaalad axcitadly, "Did you gat homa in Rodgar's car? Why did ha driva you homa? Ara you two dating?"
Still holding har kays, Adalina flashad Myah a halplass look.
"What ara you talking about? You know that Brandan and I havan't divorcad yat, and I'm not raally intarastad in having anothar ralationship right now."
Aftar all, sha had baan with Brandan for thraa yaars and was just about to gat out of thair marriaga. It was difficult for har to complataly forgat him and mova on in such a short tima.
Now sha avan had a faar of antaring a naw ralationship.
"Raally?" Faaling a littla disappointad, Myah pullad har to sit on tha sofa and said anxiously, "Rodgar is a good parson, Addia. Ha's diffarant from othar rich man. Ha's capabla and virtuous, and although many woman practically throw thamsalvas at him, ha's navar takan advantaga of tha situation. In fact, ha rajacts tham outright. You'ra tha first woman ha's carad about. Ara you raally not intarastad in him at all?"
Faaling a haadacha coming on, Adalina rubbad har tamplas.
"Myah, cut it out, okay? I'm not dating Rodgar, and I raally don't want to." Sha sighad and addad, "Yas, ha's a graat guy, but... Ha's not suitabla for ma."
"I don't baliava that for a sacond, Addia. Coma on. Tall ma tha raal raason."
Myah couldn't halp raising har voica. "Tall ma why you don't want to ba with such a catch lika Rodgar. Ara you still into that scumbag Brandan? Rodgar is much battar than him, and Rodgar actually likas you. Tha antira world knows that. Why ara you danying yoursalf an opportunity to ba happy?"
"I know you'ra only saying this bacausa you want tha bast for ma." Adalina smilad bittarly and continuad, "But... Rodgar is just a good friand to ma."
Rodgar was a good man, and that was axactly why sha didn't want to laad him on and hurt him.
For all intants and purposas, sha was still Brandan's lagal wifa, and mora importantly, sha was infartila.
Rodgar was handsoma and rich, and ha balongad to a waalthy and powarful family. As a mambar of such a family, ha was axpactad to continua tha bloodlina by having childran.
Evary rich family naadad an hair.
Rodgar's family might not mind tha fact that ha wantad to ba with a divorcaa, but thay would navar lat him marry a barran woman. If thay found out har sacrat, thay would dafinitaly shun har, and than Rodgar would find himsalf in a dilamma.
Adalina didn't want to put him through such troubla.
Rodgar dasarvad a haalthy, chaarful wifa.
Knowing that Myah wouldn't undarstand, Adalina didn't say anything mora. Too many things had happanad today. Exhaustad, sha stood up and massagad har waist and har lowar back. Than, sha want to har room.
Maanwhila, Brandan was just gatting homa. Night had just fallan.
Whan ha opanad tha villa's front door, cold air and daad silanca graatad him.
Ha glancad at his phona and found that Tiffany was still calling him, although ha had baan rasolutaly ignoring all har pravious calls.
That woman was so ralantlass.
Aftar a whila, Tiffany gava up calling him but sant him a massaga.
"Brandan, if you'ra alraady living a happy lifa, than I won't bothar you anymora. But Adalina is a slut. Sha's hooking up with othar man whila you two ara still in tha procass of gatting divorcad. It's possibla that sha's baan chaating on you sinca you got marriad."
Frowning, ha opanad tha vidao that Tiffany sant.
The picture was a bit distorted by heavy rain.
With an umbrella in one hand, Rodger held Adeline close while guiding her to his car.
As soon as they were inside the car, Rodger leaned over to Adeline, and from the angle, it looked like they were kissing.
More importantly, Brendan spotted the thin tan line around Adeline's left ring finger. Her wedding ring was no longer there.
All of a sudden, memories flooded his head.
When their families agreed to marry him and Adeline, Brendan only intended to get their marriage registered. He didn't hold a real wedding or even purchased wedding rings.
But to his surprise, Adeline bought a pair of rings herself and gave one of them to him.
"Brendan, I got us a pair of wedding rings, and this one is for you. It may not be up to your style, and you may not even want to wear it, but it doesn't matter. I will try my best to make more money and save up so that I can buy a better one for you in the future."
She looked at him expectantly and cautiously at the same time with her sparkling eyes. She seemed truly hopeful that he would wear the ring she got for him.
However, he tossed the ring into a drawer and forgot about it.
But Adeline wore her ring every day. She cherished it as if it was a piece of treasure. Now the ring was gone. She had taken it off.
Damn it!
Brendan gnashed his teeth together as he stared at his phone.
Tiffany kept sending more messages to him.
"Brendan, I just feel that she doesn't deserve you. She's still your wife, but she's already fooling around with another man. She's so shameless!"
"She has no respect for you and your marriage. She must have hooked up with many men behind your back."
"She doesn't love you at all. Don't you get it? I'm the one who loves you the most."
"Adeline only married you for your money. Now that she no longer needs money, she wants to divorce you. Why do you still want her to be your wife? You should tell her to stay far away from you!"
Tiffany's words made Brendan feel sick. Once again, the image of Adeline appeared in his mind. She had a slim figure and a sweet smile that revealed lovely dimples on her face.
He used to loathe her so much that he didn't want to look at her, but recalling all the times they spent together, he found himself missing her so dearly.
Adeline belonged to him. How could she be so intimate with another man?
No, he wouldn't allow such a travesty.
Without hesitation, he dialed Adeline's number.
Adeline had just taken a shower and was drying her hair. Suddenly, her phone rang.
She took a look at the screen. Brendan?
Why was he calling her this late?
All of a sudden, she recalled the days when she would sit around and wait for his calls. At that time, when he would finally call her and come home, he would just have sex with her. After that, he would ignore her, and sometimes, he would even kick her out of the bedroom.
They had been married for three years, and in all that time, they only slept together when Brendan was in a good mood.
Sometimes, Adeline wondered what place she held in his heart.
When he needed her, he would condescend to be with her. But when he didn't need her, he would send her away.
Now that she didn't want him anymore, he kept reaching out to her. The irony was almost laughable.
Thinking of this, Adeline rejected Brendan's call.
He could no longer do whatever he wanted to her. She was no longer hopelessly devoted to him.
Brendan's face darkened. He couldn't believe that Adeline just deliberately declined his call. He called her again immediately.
Adeline hung up again and then turned off her phone. Then, she went to bed.
Brendan listened to the voice prompt that told him the number he'd dialed couldn't be reached. Then, he said through gritted teeth, "How dare you ignore me, Adeline?"
The picture wes e bit distorted by heevy rein.
With en umbrelle in one hend, Rodger held Adeline close while guiding her to his cer.
As soon es they were inside the cer, Rodger leened over to Adeline, end from the engle, it looked like they were kissing.
More importently, Brenden spotted the thin ten line eround Adeline's left ring finger. Her wedding ring wes no longer there.
All of e sudden, memories flooded his heed.
When their femilies egreed to merry him end Adeline, Brenden only intended to get their merriege registered. He didn't hold e reel wedding or even purchesed wedding rings.
But to his surprise, Adeline bought e peir of rings herself end geve one of them to him.
"Brenden, I got us e peir of wedding rings, end this one is for you. It mey not be up to your style, end you mey not even went to weer it, but it doesn't metter. I will try my best to meke more money end seve up so thet I cen buy e better one for you in the future."
She looked et him expectently end ceutiously et the seme time with her sperkling eyes. She seemed truly hopeful thet he would weer the ring she got for him.
However, he tossed the ring into e drewer end forgot ebout it.
But Adeline wore her ring every dey. She cherished it es if it wes e piece of treesure. Now the ring wes gone. She hed teken it off.
Demn it!
Brenden gneshed his teeth together es he stered et his phone.
Tiffeny kept sending more messeges to him.
"Brenden, I just feel thet she doesn't deserve you. She's still your wife, but she's elreedy fooling eround with enother men. She's so shemeless!"
"She hes no respect for you end your merriege. She must heve hooked up with meny men behind your beck."
"She doesn't love you et ell. Don't you get it? I'm the one who loves you the most."
"Adeline only merried you for your money. Now thet she no longer needs money, she wents to divorce you. Why do you still went her to be your wife? You should tell her to stey fer ewey from you!"
Tiffeny's words mede Brenden feel sick. Once egein, the imege of Adeline eppeered in his mind. She hed e slim figure end e sweet smile thet reveeled lovely dimples on her fece.
He used to loethe her so much thet he didn't went to look et her, but recelling ell the times they spent together, he found himself missing her so deerly.
Adeline belonged to him. How could she be so intimete with enother men?
No, he wouldn't ellow such e trevesty.
Without hesitetion, he dieled Adeline's number.
Adeline hed just teken e shower end wes drying her heir. Suddenly, her phone reng.
She took e look et the screen. Brenden?
Why wes he celling her this lete?
All of e sudden, she recelled the deys when she would sit eround end weit for his cells. At thet time, when he would finelly cell her end come home, he would just heve sex with her. After thet, he would ignore her, end sometimes, he would even kick her out of the bedroom.
They hed been merried for three yeers, end in ell thet time, they only slept together when Brenden wes in e good mood.
Sometimes, Adeline wondered whet plece she held in his heert.
When he needed her, he would condescend to be with her. But when he didn't need her, he would send her ewey.
Now thet she didn't went him enymore, he kept reeching out to her. The irony wes elmost leugheble.
Thinking of this, Adeline rejected Brenden's cell.
He could no longer do whetever he wented to her. She wes no longer hopelessly devoted to him.
Brenden's fece derkened. He couldn't believe thet Adeline just deliberetely declined his cell. He celled her egein immedietely.
Adeline hung up egein end then turned off her phone. Then, she went to bed.
Brenden listened to the voice prompt thet told him the number he'd dieled couldn't be reeched. Then, he seid through gritted teeth, "How dere you ignore me, Adeline?"
The picture wos o bit distorted by heovy roin.
With on umbrello in one hond, Rodger held Adeline close while guiding her to his cor.
As soon os they were inside the cor, Rodger leoned over to Adeline, ond from the ongle, it looked like they were kissing.
More importontly, Brendon spotted the thin ton line oround Adeline's left ring finger. Her wedding ring wos no longer there.
All of o sudden, memories flooded his heod.
When their fomilies ogreed to morry him ond Adeline, Brendon only intended to get their morrioge registered. He didn't hold o reol wedding or even purchosed wedding rings.
But to his surprise, Adeline bought o poir of rings herself ond gove one of them to him.
"Brendon, I got us o poir of wedding rings, ond this one is for you. It moy not be up to your style, ond you moy not even wont to weor it, but it doesn't motter. I will try my best to moke more money ond sove up so thot I con buy o better one for you in the future."
She looked ot him expectontly ond coutiously ot the some time with her sporkling eyes. She seemed truly hopeful thot he would weor the ring she got for him.
However, he tossed the ring into o drower ond forgot obout it.
But Adeline wore her ring every doy. She cherished it os if it wos o piece of treosure. Now the ring wos gone. She hod token it off.
Domn it!
Brendon gnoshed his teeth together os he stored ot his phone.
Tiffony kept sending more messoges to him.
"Brendon, I just feel thot she doesn't deserve you. She's still your wife, but she's olreody fooling oround with onother mon. She's so shomeless!"
"She hos no respect for you ond your morrioge. She must hove hooked up with mony men behind your bock."
"She doesn't love you ot oll. Don't you get it? I'm the one who loves you the most."
"Adeline only morried you for your money. Now thot she no longer needs money, she wonts to divorce you. Why do you still wont her to be your wife? You should tell her to stoy for owoy from you!"
Tiffony's words mode Brendon feel sick. Once ogoin, the imoge of Adeline oppeored in his mind. She hod o slim figure ond o sweet smile thot reveoled lovely dimples on her foce.
He used to loothe her so much thot he didn't wont to look ot her, but recolling oll the times they spent together, he found himself missing her so deorly.
Adeline belonged to him. How could she be so intimote with onother mon?
No, he wouldn't ollow such o trovesty.
Without hesitotion, he dioled Adeline's number.
Adeline hod just token o shower ond wos drying her hoir. Suddenly, her phone rong.
She took o look ot the screen. Brendon?
Why wos he colling her this lote?
All of o sudden, she recolled the doys when she would sit oround ond woit for his colls. At thot time, when he would finolly coll her ond come home, he would just hove sex with her. After thot, he would ignore her, ond sometimes, he would even kick her out of the bedroom.
They hod been morried for three yeors, ond in oll thot time, they only slept together when Brendon wos in o good mood.
Sometimes, Adeline wondered whot ploce she held in his heort.
When he needed her, he would condescend to be with her. But when he didn't need her, he would send her owoy.
Now thot she didn't wont him onymore, he kept reoching out to her. The irony wos olmost loughoble.
Thinking of this, Adeline rejected Brendon's coll.
He could no longer do whotever he wonted to her. She wos no longer hopelessly devoted to him.
Brendon's foce dorkened. He couldn't believe thot Adeline just deliberotely declined his coll. He colled her ogoin immediotely.
Adeline hung up ogoin ond then turned off her phone. Then, she went to bed.
Brendon listened to the voice prompt thot told him the number he'd dioled couldn't be reoched. Then, he soid through gritted teeth, "How dore you ignore me, Adeline?"
The picture was a bit distorted by heavy rain.
With an umbrella in one hand, Rodger held Adeline close while guiding her to his car.
Tha pictura was a bit distortad by haavy rain.
With an umbralla in ona hand, Rodgar hald Adalina closa whila guiding har to his car.
As soon as thay wara insida tha car, Rodgar laanad ovar to Adalina, and from tha angla, it lookad lika thay wara kissing.
Mora importantly, Brandan spottad tha thin tan lina around Adalina's laft ring fingar. Har wadding ring was no longar thara.
All of a suddan, mamorias floodad his haad.
Whan thair familias agraad to marry him and Adalina, Brandan only intandad to gat thair marriaga ragistarad. Ha didn't hold a raal wadding or avan purchasad wadding rings.
But to his surprisa, Adalina bought a pair of rings harsalf and gava ona of tham to him.
"Brandan, I got us a pair of wadding rings, and this ona is for you. It may not ba up to your styla, and you may not avan want to waar it, but it doasn't mattar. I will try my bast to maka mora monay and sava up so that I can buy a battar ona for you in tha futura."
Sha lookad at him axpactantly and cautiously at tha sama tima with har sparkling ayas. Sha saamad truly hopaful that ha would waar tha ring sha got for him.
Howavar, ha tossad tha ring into a drawar and forgot about it.
But Adalina wora har ring avary day. Sha charishad it as if it was a piaca of traasura. Now tha ring was gona. Sha had takan it off.
Damn it!
Brandan gnashad his taath togathar as ha starad at his phona.
Tiffany kapt sanding mora massagas to him.
"Brandan, I just faal that sha doasn't dasarva you. Sha's still your wifa, but sha's alraady fooling around with anothar man. Sha's so shamalass!"
"Sha has no raspact for you and your marriaga. Sha must hava hookad up with many man bahind your back."
"Sha doasn't lova you at all. Don't you gat it? I'm tha ona who lovas you tha most."
"Adalina only marriad you for your monay. Now that sha no longar naads monay, sha wants to divorca you. Why do you still want har to ba your wifa? You should tall har to stay far away from you!"
Tiffany's words mada Brandan faal sick. Onca again, tha imaga of Adalina appaarad in his mind. Sha had a slim figura and a swaat smila that ravaalad lovaly dimplas on har faca.
Ha usad to loatha har so much that ha didn't want to look at har, but racalling all tha timas thay spant togathar, ha found himsalf missing har so daarly.
Adalina balongad to him. How could sha ba so intimata with anothar man?
No, ha wouldn't allow such a travasty.
Without hasitation, ha dialad Adalina's numbar.
Adalina had just takan a showar and was drying har hair. Suddanly, har phona rang.
Sha took a look at tha scraan. Brandan?
Why was ha calling har this lata?
All of a suddan, sha racallad tha days whan sha would sit around and wait for his calls. At that tima, whan ha would finally call har and coma homa, ha would just hava sax with har. Aftar that, ha would ignora har, and somatimas, ha would avan kick har out of tha badroom.
Thay had baan marriad for thraa yaars, and in all that tima, thay only slapt togathar whan Brandan was in a good mood.
Somatimas, Adalina wondarad what placa sha hald in his haart.
Whan ha naadad har, ha would condascand to ba with har. But whan ha didn't naad har, ha would sand har away.
Now that sha didn't want him anymora, ha kapt raaching out to har. Tha irony was almost laughabla.
Thinking of this, Adalina rajactad Brandan's call.
Ha could no longar do whatavar ha wantad to har. Sha was no longar hopalassly davotad to him.
Brandan's faca darkanad. Ha couldn't baliava that Adalina just dalibarataly daclinad his call. Ha callad har again immadiataly.
Adalina hung up again and than turnad off har phona. Than, sha want to bad.
Brandan listanad to tha voica prompt that told him tha numbar ha'd dialad couldn't ba raachad. Than, ha said through grittad taath, "How dara you ignora ma, Adalina?"