THE WIFE HE REPLACED

the silence and Elena's heart jumped. For a br

Everything would be explained. She turned quickly,

r entire life around but something was wrong. He didn't look surprised to see her. He

it. She let out a shaky breath, taking a step toward him. "Adrian, what is going on?"

y and suffoc

unfold like it was nothing more than quiet entertainment. Then his eyes returned to Elena. And in that

t harder than a slap. Elena shook her head slowly, as if

e or that she thinks this is her home? Adrian, say something that m

the room, setting his keys down with deliberate calm.

? "How long?" she asked suddenly. Her

hat pause was all t

ides. "No," she said, shaking her head. "No, don't stand t

silenc

yea

topped. Ele

rocess it. A year of lies. A year of coming home late. A year of excuses. A yea

oo steady. Elena staggered back slightly, her

er voice rising despite herself. "Th

drian r

ickered in his expression. Som

rstand." The words draine

choed. "Understand that my husband has been living a double life for a year?

clicking softly against the floor. "Yo

o her slowly.

e messy," she continued. "Adrian has already made his de

d, her voice low and shaking. "You walk into my home, s

mly. "That's enough." That was it. That was the moment everything truly b

nfully, she turned back to hi

on. Adrian didn't

d everything. Elena nodded slowl

grip on the table tightened

. then

ed slightly.

rising with each word. "Say that you are leaving me. Say that this m

e Adrian might hesitate, but then his expression hardened and whatever h

r. When she opened them again, something had changed. The pain was still there. Bu

ooked at her, slightly caught off gu

t?" he

le touched her lips. "But don't worry, Adrian..." She took a slow s

he door. Leaving behind the life she once thought was her