CHAPTER 37
Elena
Five months after Family Day at Haille’s daycare, Adrian told me he’d been assigned to represent the board in Abu Dhabi. That day, he had just dropped Haille off at my place, and instead of leaving right away, he stayed—long enough to ask if we could talk.
I tried not to look surprised when he said it. Because Adrian had always belonged to a world that demanded him, as if life never ran out of ways to pull him away from me.
“We’ve got a project in Abu Dhabi that’s drifting off track. The board doesn’t want it escalating into a dispute or a write-off, so they’re sending me in to take control before it gets worse.”
Something shifted slowly inside my chest.
It wasn’t like before, when he left for weeks or months and I was still his wife—when distance still meant he’d come home to me. This was different. Now, he could leave, and I had no claim on where or when he returned.
But I could still do this—for Haille.
“How long?” I asked.
He went quiet, just a beat too long. Then he said, “It’s going to take time. A few months, at least—until we get the schedule and costs under control.” He quickly added, “This isn’t sudden. I just got the final confirmation this week. I wanted you to know as soon as possible.”
I nodded slowly, as if I were hearing it like any other schedule update. Like my heart wasn’t tightening at the thought of him leaving.
“So… what about Haille’s schedule?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.
He lifted his phone slightly, as if it were proof he’d already thought everything through—proof he wasn’t just a man leaving, but a father trying to do it right.
“I’ve drafted a schedule,” he said. “I can still take her a few days before I leave. And before I go—” His voice dipped, softer now. “—I want as much quality time with her as possible.”
I looked at him briefly. Because if I looked too long, I might see something that would weaken my resolve.
“I can do that,” I said finally. “Take her more often until you leave, so it won’t feel like she’s suddenly losing you when you’re gone.”
Adrian nodded. Relief flickered across his face, as if he didn’t want to show how much that answer meant. “Thank you,” he said. Then, almost immediately, he added, “If anything comes up, you can call Avery. Or Mom. They said they’re ready to help anytime.”
I let out a slow breath. “Okay.”
Adrian looked at me like there was something else he wanted to say, but didn’t.
“I won’t keep you long,” he said as he stood, as if he was afraid his presence in this space was already too much.
He walked toward the door, then paused.
“Elena,” he called.
“Yes?”
“Good night,” he said, smiling.
It was such a simple sentence, and yet it stayed with me all night. Because I realized something I hadn’t wanted to admit—the cruelest part of all of this was that Adrian became the best version of himself after I stopped being his wife.
— ? —
I parked in the driveway with Haille already bouncing in her car seat, her shoes thumping against the back of the passenger seat like she couldn’t wait a single second longer.
“Grandma Judy!” she announced with full conviction, like the name alone could unlock the door.
I smiled faintly as I unbuckled her. “Okay, okay. Hold Mommy’s hand.”
She immediately grabbed my finger and hurried toward the porch like she was on a mission. But before we even reached it, Haille let go and took off running toward the door, shouting Judy’s name at the top of her lungs.
The door opened before I could press the bell.
Judy stood there wearing an apron, her hair tied back, and her face softened the second she saw Haille.
“There’s my granddaughter,” she breathed.
Haille squealed, “GRAAANDMAAA!”
With a small groan, Judy crouched down, arms already waiting. Haille practically launched herself into her, and Judy hugged her like it had been months, when really... it had only been a few days.
Then Judy lifted her head and looked at me. “Elena,” she said warmly. “Come in, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart.
Not a just a word. An acknowledgment—just like what she had told me over the phone in Florida. You’re still my child.
“Hi, Judy,” I said softly. “Thank you for inviting me.”
Judy waved it off immediately. “Oh, please. Of course I invited you. You’re family.”
Her tone was firm, as if there was nothing to debate.
I stepped inside, while Haille stayed glued to Judy’s hip, and the smell of food hit me instantly. Garlic. Butter. Spices. The kind of lunch that obviously took time to make.
“It’s roasted chicken again, isn’t it?” I murmured with a small smile.
Judy turned and grinned like she’d been waiting for me to say it. “Of course. I made his favorite. Adrian is leaving, and I’m not sending my son off like he’s some stranger going on a business trip.”
Before I could respond, a voice came from the kitchen.
“Mom, this is way too much.”
Judy answered without hesitation. “It’s supposed to be.”
Avery appeared from the kitchen, saw me, and immediately pulled me into a tight hug before heading back inside.
Not long after that, Adrian walked out from the living room.
He was wearing a plain dark t-shirt, athletic shorts, and an expensive watch he seemed to wear out of habit more than intention.
But it wasn’t his outfit that tightened my chest. It was the fact that I could see it clearly.
He was leaving soon. This might be the last time we’d see each other before he flew out.
He looked at me, then walked closer—still keeping enough distance. “Thanks for coming,” he smiled.
“Of course. Judy invited me,” I replied with a small smile.
Yes. I smiled back. My heart was pounding strangely, and oddly enough... there was no pain when I saw his smile.
Then his gaze shifted to Haille, still in Judy’s arms. He stepped closer, smiling.
“Come here, bug,” he said, and Judy shifted Haille toward him. He took her easily into his arms and Haille welcomed it eagerly, her arms instantly wrapping around his neck.
Lunch was served not long after. Judy insisted everyone sat properly at the table—no plates on laps, no “casual eating,” as she put it, like she was still raising children, not feeding adults.
Haille sat in her booster seat between me and Adrian, legs swinging happily. She’d already announced that she wanted juice and dessert ‘after only three bites.’
Judy clicked her tongue. “No, sweetheart. After you eat properly.”
Haille pouted. “But I’m a good girl.”
Avery leaned toward her like they were forming a secret alliance. “If you eat more chicken, Grandma might give you ice cream.”
Haille’s eyes widened. “ICE CWEAM?”
Judy shot Avery a sharp look. “Don’t negotiate with my granddaughter.”
Avery grinned. “I’m building an alliance.”
I let out a small laugh—one that slipped out before I could stop it.
Judy watched me over the rim of her glass. Then she spoke casually, “Elena… I’ve already spoken to Adrian. And if you’re okay with it, Haille can stay here sometimes while he’s away. Just like she used to.”
I blinked. “Judy—”
“No,” she cut in, firm but gentle. “Listen first.”
“You can ask us for help,” she said sincerely. “So you can still have some time to yourself once in a while. Go out with your friends. Or stay home and do absolutely nothing. Sleep. Watch movies. Go to the salon. Whatever you need.”
Warmth spread through my chest—not because I wanted time away from Haille, but because they were still thinking about me, even though I wasn’t with Adrian anymore.
“Alright,” I said with a small smile. “If you don’t mind.”
Judy’s smile appeared instantly. “Of course,” she said, pleased. “Good.”
Adrian cleared his throat. “Thank you, Mom,” he said quietly.
Judy rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. You can thank me by not disappearing into projects so long you forget you have a family.”
Adrian chuckled. “Of course not.”
“Daddy leaving?” Haille suddenly asked.
Adrian immediately focused on her. “Yeah, bug. I told you Daddy has to go away for work for a little while, right?”
Haille’s lips jutted out. “Why?”
“Because Daddy is building something,” Adrian explained patiently. “So people can walk, drive, and live safely.”
Haille thought for a moment, like she was calculating something important.
Then she nodded. “Okay, Daddy.”
After lunch, Haille continued coloring with Adrian in the living room. Meanwhile, Avery and I sat in the backyard.
“Don’t hesitate to ask for help, okay?” Avery said.
“Yeah, Avery, relax.” I smiled faintly. “Since when have I ever hesitated?”
Avery let out a soft laugh.
A little while later, Adrian came out, as calm as ever.
“Ave,” he said, “can you watch Haille for a bit?”
Avery frowned slightly, then stood. “Okay.”
She went back inside.
Adrian took the chair Avery had been using. The chairs were close enough that I caught the familiar scent I’d always associated with him—bergamot and something faintly woody.
Strangely, my heart began to race, and I forced myself not to look at him for too long.
Adrian cleared his throat before speaking. “Elena… I’m sorry about my mom. If she’s been a little… overbearing.”
“What do you mean?” I finally turned to him.
“She cares about you,” he said quietly. “And I—” he paused. “I made her feel ashamed… in a way she never deserved to carry.”
He drew a short breath, like he was choosing his words carefully. “But I also don’t want you to misunderstand,” he continued. “She isn’t good to you because she feels sorry for you. She genuinely sees you as her own.”
“Yeah…” I nodded lightly. “I understand.”
I swallowed. “And I’m grateful she’s still the same.”
Adrian nodded.
“While I’m away…” he said, his gaze shifting ahead. “I know I usually call when she’s with Avery.” He paused, like he was choosing his words more carefully than usual. “But this time… I’ll be gone longer.” His voice softened. “Would it be okay if I video call Haille even when she’s with you?”
Then he turned to face me. “I’ll follow your schedule. I just… I don’t want her to feel like I disappeared.”
I went quiet for a moment. Did that mean I’d still get to see him often?
Strangely… my mind didn’t resist the idea.
“Of course,” I said at last. “We’ll arrange it so the timing works.”
“Good,” Adrian said, smiling.
We fell silent, each of us sinking into our own thoughts. And somehow, no pain surfaced—only a soft, steady sense of safety and comfort… the kind I once thought I had lost.
After a while, I decided it was time to leave. When I asked Haille if she wanted to come home with me, she shook her head, clearly still wanting to play.
“I still wanna play with Daddy and Avery!” she said excitedly.
“I’ll drop her off later,” Adrian said.
“Alright. Mommy’s going home first, okay?” I kissed Haille’s head.
“Bye-bye, Mommy!” Haille waved at me.
Judy packed leftovers into containers without asking, then pressed them into my hands like she already knew I wouldn’t refuse. “Take it,” she ordered. “So you won’t have to cook tonight.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
She touched my cheek briefly—like that alone was enough—then stepped back.
Adrian walked me to the front door.
“Have a safe trip,” I said to him.
He looked slightly surprised to hear it before nodding. “Can I let you know when I’ve landed?” he asked carefully.
It didn’t sound like a question about travel. It sounded like a question about us—about whether he was still allowed to exist in the quiet spaces of my life.
I forced myself to breathe before I nodded. “Yes,” I said softly. “You can.”