22. It wasnt just me feeling her absence.
Adrian's Pov:
After the phone call I felt a bit different like to be true I have no feelings for Sophia but still I felt like why was she laughing there with that Oliver why did she even go to his place .
I know Oliver Sinclair we have met several times for work purpose and yes he was from our college only from our branch also but I had no idea that Sophia would have known him so well.
I was feeling strange .
I drove straight to home.
Lily had already fallen asleep in the car, her head tilted to one side.
Carefully, I picked her up and carried her to her room, tucking her into bed.
She didn't even stir.
For a moment, I stood there looking at her.
Then I walked out and went to my room.
The moment I stepped inside- that same strange feeling returned.
It had been a long time since I had come home this early.
Usually, I stayed out late.
Work... or Vanessa.
I trusted Vanessa.
But the way she spoke about Lily today
it didn't feel right.
It felt like something had broken.
Maybe the trust.
I was feeling uneasy . I wanted rest.
I exhaled heavily and loosened my tie, throwing my coat aside before lying down on the bed.
I turned to my side-
and stared.
The space beside me was empty.
It had always been empty emotionally...
but physically-
she used to be there
Sophia.
Lying silently on her side.
I slowly turned toward her side of the bed and ran my fingers over the creased bedsheet.
And then-
I smelled it.
Her scent.
Vanilla and jasmine.
Faint... but still there.
The moment it hit me, something tightened in my chest.
I frowned.
I wasn't missing her.
We barely even talked.
But still-
without her, the room felt... hollow.
Strange.
Unfamiliar.
Why did she leave like that?
Suddenly .
She stayed here for five years.
And then-
just left.
Suddenly, I felt nauseous.
I sat up abruptly and walked straight into the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face.
When I looked up at the mirror-
I stared back at my reflection.
I had made wrong judgments.
I had wronged her.
The realization hit harder than I expected.
My gaze dropped to the shelves.
They were almost empty now.
Just my things.
But once-
they were filled with hers.
Serums, face masks, lotions, shampoos... things I never paid attention to.
Things I never thought mattered.
I walked out quickly, my eyes falling on the vanity.
Empty.
Everything was empty.
It felt suffocating.
I couldn't stay in that room any longer. It felt that hollowness of the room will eat me up. Everything fucking thing was reminding me of her. Though her departure shouldn't matter to me. It felt uneasy in that room.
I walked out and went to Lily's room.
She was still asleep.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
I came downstairs.
"James," I called, "bring me a cup of strong coffee."
He looked confused.
"Sir, it is almost dinner time."
I frowned and checked my phone.
8 PM.
I looked at him.
"Have I ever had dinner this early, James?"
He lowered his gaze immediately.
"Sorry, sir. Whenever Miss Lily was home, Mrs. Whitmore asked us to serve dinner at 8."
Mrs. Whitmore.
Her.
Again.
I felt like pulling my hair but--
I exhaled slowly, controlling my irritation.
"Oh. Just bring coffee. I'll get Lily downstairs."
"Yes, sir."
I went back upstairs.
"Lily," I called softly.
No response.
"Lily..."
Still nothing.
I gently shook her.
She stirred slightly and mumbled,
"Mommy... I don't want to go to school today..."
A faint smile touched my lips.
"It's not morning, baby," I said softly. "It's dinner time."
"I already had dinner..." she murmured sleepily.
I sighed and pulled the blanket off.
"No, you didn't. Come on."
She slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes, her nose scrunching in that adorable way.
"Daddy..." she blinked. "I thought it was Mommy."
"Yeah," I said quietly. "It's me."
She pouted.
"I want to sleep..."
"First food," I said gently, lifting her into my arms.
I carried her downstairs and sat her on the dining chair.
Mary placed a plate in front of her.
The moment Lily saw it-
her expression changed.
She crossed her arms and pushed the plate away.
"I DON'T LIKE brOCCOLI IN SOUP."
She stood up and ran upstairs.
Mary looked at me helplessly.
"Mrs. Whitmore used to feed her vegetables herself, sir. She said they are important for her health."
I nodded slowly.
Of course.
Sophia handled this too.
Every little thing.
And I-
I never even noticed.
I sat there staring at the untouched plate.
Blank.
Lost.
Then something felt wrong.
Too quiet.
I stood up and went upstairs.
I never saw Lily doing tantrums about food maybe because whenever she was with me and Vanessa . We got her , her favorite pasta or sometimes pizza whatever she asked for. I never thought about her health but her mother did.
When I entered Lily's room, I saw her sitting on the bed, hugging her pillow tightly.
Her shoulders were shaking.
"Lily?" I called softly.
She didn't look at me.
Instead, she buried her face deeper into the pillow.
"I don't want broccoli..." she muttered.
I walked closer.
"Baby, it's okay-"
Before I could finish, her voice broke.
"I want Mommy..."
My steps froze.
"I want Mommy..." she whispered again, trembling. "Mommy makes me eat... Mommy tells stories... Mommy sits with me..."
Something inside my chest tightened painfully.
I stood there, unable to move.
For the first time-
it wasn't just me feeling her absence.
It was Lily too.
And suddenly-
the silence of the house didn't feel quiet anymore.
It felt loud.
Overwhelming.
Unavoidable.
Next update on Monday ( 4 May).