He Said the Cat Needed Him. There Was No Cat Chapter 02

He Said the Cat Needed Him. There Was No Cat Chapter 02

Adrian Cole’s face darkened completely.

“Claire Bennett, don’t threaten me with a breakup.”

I didn’t look back.

Before the elevator doors closed, I saw him take one step after me.

Then Vanessa Reed softly called, “Adrian.”

He stopped.

When I got home, both of my parents were still sitting at the dining table.

The soup had been reheated three times.

My mother looked pale and kept glancing anxiously at my father.

My father had recently undergone a cardiac stent procedure. He had barely slept the night before because he was so nervous about meeting Adrian Cole.

They stood up the moment they saw me come in alone.

“Where’s Adrian?”

I hid the back of my hand behind me.

“Something came up at the last minute.”

My mother froze.

My father forced a smile.

“It’s fine. Young people are busy. We can have dinner another time.”

Watching them carefully make excuses for Adrian Cole made my throat feel blocked.

I couldn’t bring myself to tell them we had broken up.

I was afraid the shock would be too much for them.

I only said, “Mom, Dad, I think I’ll go back to Fairview with you for a while.”

My mother immediately grabbed my arm.

“Did the two of you fight?”

“No.”

I lowered my head and began clearing the cake from the table.

“I just miss you.”

An hour later, the doorbell rang while I was packing Adrian Cole’s belongings into a cardboard box.

When I opened the door, Vanessa Reed stood there holding an orange tabby.

A red rash covered her neck, and her eyes were badly swollen.

Adrian Cole rushed out of the elevator behind her, his face dark.

He took the cat from her arms in one sharp motion.

“Vanessa Reed, are you out of your mind?”

“You know you’re allergic to cats, and you still held one?”

Tears spilled from Vanessa Reed’s eyes.

“I only wanted Claire to believe me.”

Adrian Cole snapped his gaze toward me.

“Satisfied now?”

My mother jumped in alarm.

“What is going on?”

Before I could answer, Vanessa Reed clutched her chest and sagged toward the floor.

Adrian Cole caught her immediately.

“Vanessa!”

He turned and shouted at me. “Get the car keys. We’re going to the hospital.”

Both of my parents panicked.

I didn’t want them to see any more, so I had no choice but to follow him downstairs.

During the entire drive, Adrian Cole held Vanessa Reed in his arms.

She rested against his shoulder with her eyes closed and murmured, “Claire, please don’t blame me.”

Adrian Cole kept scolding her under his breath. “Why do you always have to push yourself?”

“If something happened to you, how would I explain it to Claire?”

He sounded angry, but every word was soaked in concern.

At the hospital, Vanessa Reed was rushed into the emergency room.

I stood outside, and the cut on the back of my hand split open again.

Only then did Adrian Cole notice it.

He frowned and pulled my hand toward him.

“Why is it still bleeding?”

I tried to pull away.

Instead, he lowered his head and pressed gauze to the wound, his voice softening.

“Claire, stop fighting me. I was wrong before.”

Then he suddenly placed a ring of keys in my palm.

I stared at them.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead as if everything had already been settled.

“I took care of it.”

“So you won’t keep suspecting that Vanessa and I crossed a line, I rented the apartment across from yours for her.”

“Now you can see her whenever you want.”

My entire body went rigid.

Adrian Cole thought he was making amends.

“She’s not safe living alone in her condition.”

“She’s your best friend. You can help look after her too.”

“And your parents are here. They know how to cook, don’t they?”

“When Vanessa’s stomach acts up, they can make an extra portion for her.”

I looked up at him, almost certain I had heard him wrong.

The previous winter, when my parents’ health had worsened, I wanted to move them from Fairview to the city.

I had found a small apartment across from his place.

I planned to pay the rent myself. I only wanted to stay close to him while still being able to care for my parents.

Adrian Cole had frowned. “Claire, we’re only just getting settled.”

“Having your parents directly across the hall would destroy every boundary.”

“I don’t want older relatives watching us every day.”

After that, I deleted the realtor’s number.

My parents remained in Fairview.

Now he had placed Vanessa Reed across from my apartment and expected my parents to cook for her.

I threw the keys back at his chest.

“Adrian Cole, do you think my entire family exists for you to walk over?”

His expression chilled.

“There you go, throwing another tantrum.”

“Did you forget everything Vanessa has done for you?”

“Who went to networking dinners with you?”

“Who brought you medicine when you were sick?”

“She lied to you with me one time, and now you’re acting morally superior enough to destroy her?”

I looked at him. “And you? Whose boyfriend are you?”

Adrian Cole faltered.

Then he forced down his anger and answered.

“I’m your boyfriend. But when you talk about Vanessa like that, you hurt her. When she wakes up, go in and apologize.”

I laughed. “You want me to apologize to her?”

“Yes.”

He stared at me, his voice dropping lower.

“Her allergy put her in the hospital.”

“Don’t make me think you’re heartless.”

I turned to leave.

Adrian Cole grabbed my wrist.

“Claire Bennett, if you walk away today…”

“You’ll regret it.”