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Eva listened intently to the conversation between Adrian and his mother, the words echoing in her mind. It wasn’t often that she saw this side of Adrian’s family—his mother’s gentle tone, the subtle shift in the atmosphere. Eva could tell that Margaret, though composed, was deeply concerned about her family, especially her son and his grandmother.
She couldn’t help but marvel at how easily Margaret had calmed down Adrian’s father earlier, the way she seemed to effortlessly balance the roles of a strong, intelligent woman in the public eye and a nurturing figure at home. The way Adrian’s mother spoke now, with sincerity and a touch of guilt, made Eva realize just how different her family dynamics were from Adrian’s.
The subtle contrasts made Eva pause. While Margaret could exhibit such grace and strength with her family, Eva found herself struggling to even reach that point with Adrian. Their marriage—or whatever it was—seemed to be built more on circumstance than understanding. She had hoped that perhaps their shared experiences would bring them closer, but now, she was left questioning whether they were ever truly on the same page.
As Adrian continued to speak with his mother, Eva’s mind wandered. She could feel the weight of the silence between them, that space that never seemed to get filled, no matter how much they tried. She understood that Adrian’s actions had always been measured, but sometimes, she longed for more—more connection, more openness, more of what she had hoped their marriage could be. But it was never quite like that, was it?
The car stopped at a red light, and Eva turned to look at Adrian. He had just finished the conversation with his mother, but she noticed his face had returned to its usual stoic expression, as though the brief moment of vulnerability had passed. He was calm, collected—yet Eva couldn’t ignore the faint sadness in his eyes.
Adrian put the phone down and glanced at Eva. “She’s sorry for being late,” he said, his voice steady. “But don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
Eva nodded, though her thoughts still lingered on the unspoken things between them. She wanted to believe him, but something still gnawed at her. She wasn’t sure how much longer they could go on like this—coexisting in a silence that neither of them fully addressed.
Trying to shake off the feeling, Eva turned her attention back to Granny Blackwood. She was determined to make sure her grandmother felt comfortable and loved, no matter what Adrian’s family dynamics were like. At least she could focus on one thing—taking care of Granny, who had always been a constant source of support for her. That was something she could control.
“Adrian,” Eva said softly, her voice breaking through the quiet. “When we get home, let’s make sure everything’s perfect for Grandma. We need to make her feel at ease.”
Adrian looked at her, his gaze softening. “I’ll make sure everything’s taken care of.”
For a moment, there was a brief pause, and Eva felt a flicker of something—perhaps a glimmer of understanding between them, however faint. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still amiss.
As the car continued down the road, Eva’s mind continued to race, but she pushed aside the unease. She would focus on what was most important for now—getting Granny back home and making sure she was well cared for. But deep down, Eva knew that the issues between her and Adrian weren’t something that could be easily forgotten.
