Chapter 3

On the way, Cayson lost track of how many red lights he blew through. The cops were right behind him, sirens wailing.

When they finally arrived, Cayson didn't even look at Adrienne. He just pulled Sophia into his arms.

His eyes were red with worry. And he said gently, "Hang in there, the ambulance is almost here."

Adrienne was dangling upside down in the car, blood smeared across half her face, her gaze glued to the two figures walking away.

Just then, Sophia turned back and gave her a dazzling, victorious smile. She mouthed, "You lost."

Adrienne caught the words on her lips.

The next second, darkness swallowed her whole.

When Adrienne woke up again, she found herself in a hospital bed.

Cayson was right there, his voice so hoarse it barely sounded like him. "Hey, babe, you're finally awake. How are you feeling?"

His eyes were bloodshot as he leaned in, gripping her hand tight and kissing her fingertips softly. "Do you even know... you were covered in blood?"

Cayson's tone was a jumble of fear and relief, like he couldn't believe she actually made it out alive.

Corey sobbed uncontrollably, wanting nothing more than to throw himself into Adrienne's arms, but he was scared he'd hurt her injuries.

"Mommy, you scared me so much. I thought you didn't want me anymore," Corey cried, his voice trembling.

Just then, a nurse pushed the door open, her face full of admiration. "Mrs. Bush, you're really blessed.

"Your husband nearly bled himself dry trying to save you. He scared our head doctor out of his wits.

"And your son wouldn't stop crying and calling out for you."

Adrienne looked at Cayson in silence, feeling nothing but a calm emptiness inside.

She knew Cayson loved her, but that love was no longer hers alone. It was divided between her and someone else.

Adrienne subtly withdrew her hand, not making a scene. She asked calmly, "What happened to the driver who caused the crash?"

Cayson's voice was laced with menace. "Don't worry, babe. I checked the footage.

"She crashed into you on purpose. I swear, I won't let her walk away from this."

Corey stood next to her, clenching his fists in determination. "Mom, don't worry. Dad will avenge you," he said.

Father and son teamed up, gently coaxing Adrienne to eat.

For the next few days, Cayson barely left her side, afraid she might get hurt again.

He dropped everything, work, meetings, all of it, just to personally cook for her, make her soup. He learned to braid her hair, and even carry her to the bathroom.

At night, he insisted on squeezing onto her side of the bed, holding her tight. He whispered, "Babe, I was really scared that day.

"Promise me you won't get hurt again. I really can't handle it."

Once Adrienne was asleep, Cayson quietly slipped out of her room, headed straight down the hall, turned left without hesitation, and entered another room like he knew the place by heart.

Sophia was straddling Cayson. "You won't let me off? Want me to pay the price? Huh?

"Cayson, is this your idea of making me pay?"

The bed creaked and swayed. Cayson's breathing grew heavy.

Cayson said, his voice low and rough, "Aren't I teaching you a lesson right now?

"When you've had enough, you'll learn to behave."

Cayson's breathing grew heavier. He growled, "Who told you to touch her?"

Sophia snickered, then did something that made Cayson let out a muffled groan.

She teased, "You're just as tough with your body as you are with your mouth.

"Oh, come on, I was just messing with her a little. Don't be mad at me."

Turned out, this was what he meant by 'paying the price.'

Adrienne shifted her stiff body, her heart felt torn apart. Pain soaked into her bones, and even breathing hurt.

She turned over quietly, not making a sound, like a lifeless shell.

Her palms were shredded by her own nails, bloody and raw.

Adrienne laughed, the sound dripping with sarcasm.

She handled her discharge all by herself, packing up her things like she was just going through the motions.

As soon as Adrienne got home, Cayson's calls started coming in.

She didn't want to answer, but the calls just kept coming, one after another.

With no other choice, Adrienne finally picked up.

Cayson asked, his voice full of worry, "Hey, babe, where did you go? The nurse said you checked out on your own.

"What's wrong? Did something happen? Did you see something that upset you?"

Cayson was being extra careful, trying to figure out what was going on with her.

Adrienne gave a sarcastic smirk, feeling just tired and worn out. "It's nothing. I just wanted to go home."

Hearing this, Cayson finally breathed a sigh of relief.

When the nurse mentioned Adrienne had checked out alone and was seen heading toward the end of the hallway, he got nervous, worried she might have caught him sneaking around.

Cayson said softly, "Just stay home and don't go anywhere, alright? I'll be there soon."

"I was tied up with something at work earlier, that's why I couldn't be with you," he explained.

But Cayson went back on his word.

For an entire week, he kept claiming he was swamped with work, but he didn't come home even once.

Adrienne was distracted, her mind wandering. She'd tried several times to call Cayson and bring up divorce, but Corey always managed to intercept her, shutting her down every time.

Corey said, "Mom, Dad's got a ton of work to do. Can't you just stop bothering him?

"You don't even work, you just hang around all day. Dad's not like you. He's busy spending time with..."

Corey realized he'd nearly blurted out something he shouldn't, and quickly clamped his mouth shut, guilt flickering across his face.

Adrienne's heart gave a painful twist. She turned and gave Corey a long, searching look.

'So, Corey's in on it too,' Adrienne thought, her heart sinking.

Cayson had been busy hanging out with Sophia these days, but word always got out. No secret stayed buried forever.

He was spotted with Sophia at all sorts of events, and people were definitely starting to talk.

Last night at the Veridiand Auction, Cayson splurged on a conch pearl ring, and the whole thing went viral online.

Adrienne's phone was blowing up with messages from the wives in her circle, all congratulating her and saying she was blessed beyond measure to have a husband like Cayson.

Adrienne brushed it off with a polite smile, but inside, her heart felt heavy as stone.

The ring's style and color weren't something she'd ever choose for herself.

That bold red was Sophia's favorite, not hers.

Just as she was lost in thought, the door swung open. It was Cayson.

Like always, the first thing he did was pull Adrienne into his arms, holding her close and breathing in her scent.

Cayson murmured, "Adrienne, I've been away on a business trip for a week, and I missed you like crazy."

He separated the two gifts in his hands, one large, one small, handing the bigger one to Corey and the smaller to Adrienne.

Adrienne took a deep breath and slowly opened her gift. Inside was a silk scarf in classic style.

Cayson's voice was rough, laced with guilt. "Sorry, babe. I was slammed with work all week on that trip, so I got you a gift to make it up to you.

"I even flew out to Veridiand last night and bid for it just for you."

This silk scarf didn't even come close to the value of that conch pearl ring.

Adrienne gently pushed him away. "Thanks," she said, her voice flat.