My return, meant to surprise him, turned into a surprise for me instead. A relationship that had lasted for years was apparently no guarantee of faithfulness. Especially when the distance separating us was so vast.
I had to finish my studies in another country, while he remained in our city. One obligation after another had unknowingly widened the distance between us. Our conversations were no longer as lively as they used to be; messages came only when necessary, and phone calls became increasingly rare.
Then, as my studies drew to a close, I decided to come home. The reason was simple: I missed him. I missed more than just my family—I missed him so much it made my chest ache.
I dragged my soft blue suitcase out of the airport gate. No one would be waiting outside. I knew that because I had deliberately kept my return a secret from everyone.
As soon as I left the airport, I breathed in the calming air, and the pounding in my chest slowly began to ease. I hailed a taxi to take me home.
"To Maple Street, please," I said softly.
"Certainly, Miss," the driver replied.
Twenty minutes later, the taxi finally entered the gate of the mansion I had missed for so long. I got out while trying to calm my pounding heart, imagining Mommy and Daddy's reaction when they saw their daughter come home without warning. I rang the bell beside the door.
Lucy opened the mansion door. The surprise on her face was immediate.
"Miss Elena? Welcome home. I didn't expect you to come back today," she said cheerfully.
"Where are Mommy and Daddy, Lucy? I deliberately didn't tell anyone I was coming home," I asked as I stepped inside.
"Please go straight to the dining room, Miss. Mr. and Mrs. are there."
I handed my suitcase to Lucy, then slowly made my way to the dining room. An unconscious smile spread across my face when I saw Mommy and Daddy enjoying dinner.
"Mom, Dad... I'm home," I said softly as I approached the dining table.
"Elena! Why didn't you tell Mommy you were coming home, dear? Mommy could have sent the driver to pick you up at the airport."
Mommy immediately stood and pulled me into a tight hug. The warmth of her embrace made the fatigue from my journey disappear in an instant. Afterward, I went over to Daddy, who was watching me with a faint smile.
"I deliberately didn't tell anyone, Mom. No problem—I could take a taxi from the airport." I flashed Daddy a mischievous smile. "How are you, Daddy? Didn't you miss your daughter?"
Daddy chuckled softly. "Of course I missed you, Sweetie. How long has it been since you came home? Daddy asked you to come back so many times, but you were too comfortable in Australia."
"Come eat first. Mommy knows you must have missed home-cooked food," Mommy said, taking my hand.
We enjoyed a peaceful dinner. The aroma of my favorite dishes filled the dining room, and for the first time in so long, I truly felt like I was home.
After dinner, we moved to the family room. Our conversation flowed easily, from my studies in Australia to the company's growth, which Daddy was now busier than ever managing.
Daddy set his teacup on the table before looking at me seriously.
"Daddy hopes that once you've finished your studies, you'll come help Daddy at the office, Sweetie. If you want to continue your education later, you can do it here. What do you think?"
I nodded slowly. "Okay, Dad. I'll finish taking care of everything there as soon as possible so I can come back and settle in Rainmere."
A faint smile appeared on Daddy's face.
I had no reason to refuse his request. Besides, long before coming home today, I had already planned to leave my old life in Australia behind and start over in Rainmere.
After our conversation, I decided to rest in my room. The exhaustion from the journey was still lingering. I hugged the stuffed cat that had always kept me company while I slept at home. Then I picked up my phone, wondering for a moment whether I should tell Adrian that I was back. I opened our chat, only to realize that we had barely been in touch for the past few days.
"Ad... what are you doing?" I finally decided to text him. After waiting five minutes, I saw that he still hadn't read my message. Just as drowsiness began to overtake me, my phone suddenly rang. I narrowed my eyes to see who was calling. It was him.
"Hey, El..." Adrian's voice greeted me from the other end.
"Hey, Ad... how are you?" I asked, my voice hoarse with sleep that hadn't completely faded.
"I'm good, I'm good. How are you over there?"
"I'm good too. My studies will be over soon. By the way, where are you right now? You're usually so busy. Sometimes I'm afraid I'll interfere with your packed work schedule."
"I'm out right now, El. I just finished a meeting with a client. I'm handling a big project at the moment, so... I'm sorry if it seems like I haven't had any time for you lately, dear. The deadline is coming up, and sometimes I still have to go into the office even on weekends." Adrian gave me a long explanation. I let out a soft sigh. It wasn't entirely his fault.
"No problem, Ad... I understand. Where are you going tomorrow?" I changed the subject. I was planning to go straight to Adrian the next day.
"It looks like I'll be staying at the office all day tomorrow. There's a report I need to finish. When are you coming home? I miss you, so don't get too comfortable over there. Don't you feel sorry for me?"
"Be patient, okay? I promise I'll be home soon," I replied briefly with a smile.
"I'll wait for you to come home. I have to go for now—there's something I need to do. Take care over there. I love you so much." Click. The call ended just like that, before I had a chance to respond to his final words. I placed my phone on the nightstand beside the bed, then pulled up the covers and finally fell asleep.
The next morning, I woke up with a bright smile.
The thought of seeing Adrian put me in an exceptionally good mood.
After showering and getting ready, I went downstairs to the first floor for breakfast. Mommy was the only one I found at the dining table.
"Daddy already left, Mom?" I asked as I sat in the chair beside Mommy.
"Yes. He left a little early because he had to go out of town. Mommy couldn't bear to wake you."
Mommy looked at me.
"Where are you going, El?"
"I'm planning to go to Adrian's office. I might come home in the afternoon. I also need to stop somewhere to buy something."
"Does Adrian know you're back?"
"No. I deliberately didn't tell him."
"Oh... I see."
After finishing breakfast, I hurried off after saying goodbye to Mommy.
I drove myself for about twenty minutes until I finally arrived at Adrian's office.
The building standing before me looked far more modern than the last time I had seen it several years ago.
My heart fluttering with longing, I walked toward his office. Before going in, I greeted his secretary, who was busy with a stack of files.
"Adrian's inside, right, Stef?"
Her face filled with shock when she saw me.
"Oh... Miss Elena? When did you get here? I didn't notice."
She didn't even answer my question right away.
"Not long ago. I'll go in first, okay?"
Without waiting for her answer, I walked toward Adrian's office with determined steps. I was sure he would be both thrilled and surprised to see me.
My hand reached for the doorknob.
I slowly opened the door.
But the smile that had been on my face vanished in an instant.
I froze.
The sight before me made my entire body feel as though it had turned to ice.
Adrian.
He was hugging a woman.
A woman who felt so familiar to me.
They were both startled to see me arrive.
Adrian hurriedly released her, while the woman slowly turned to face me.
My heart seemed to stop beating.
Oh, God...
Why did it have to be her?
The person I had always trusted.
The person who had always been there whenever I needed someone to talk to.
The person who had never once given me reason to think she could threaten my relationship with Adrian.
Yet now she stood before me with the man I loved.
Panic was clearly visible on both their faces.
"Baby... when did you get home? Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?"
Adrian walked toward me.
I remained silent.
I couldn't utter a word.
My chest felt unbearably tight, as if something had slammed directly into its center.
"I can't believe this."
My voice finally emerged, but it was barely a whisper.
"What is the meaning of this?"
I looked back and forth between them.
The panic on the woman's face slowly changed.
The fear disappeared.
So did the panic.
All that remained was the arrogant look she directed at me.
And for the first time, I saw a side of her I had never known existed.