He Said the Cat Needed Him. There Was No Cat Chapter 10

He Said the Cat Needed Him. There Was No Cat Chapter 10

After I started the new job, I stayed busy for a long time.

The pace at the Fairview branch was slower, but the work was scattered and demanding.

I spent my days moving between projects and my evenings taking my father to follow-up appointments.

My mother left dinner waiting for me at home.

Marcus Hayes sometimes brought me documents.

Three months later, Adrian Cole came to see me for the last time.

I had just finished work that day.

He stood outside the office holding an orange tabby.

The cat was thin and curled against his chest.

When it saw me, it gave a soft meow.

Adrian Cole lowered his head and stroked its fur.

“I found it outside the old apartment building.”

“This one is real.”

I said nothing.

He continued. “It really only lets me hold it.”

“I took it to the animal hospital and bought a bed, litter, and food.”

“The veterinarian said it had probably been living on the street for a long time.”

He looked at me.

His eyes were painfully red.

“Claire, I used a cat that didn’t exist to lie to you before.”

“Now there really is one.”

“But I know you won’t believe me anymore.”

I looked at the cat.

It was quiet and gentle.

It had nothing to do with the lie from before.

I said,

“Whether the cat is real or not doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Adrian Cole, I’m no longer standing where you left me.”

His arms tightened around the cat.

The last light in his eyes went out.

At that moment, Marcus Hayes walked out of the office.

He was carrying a folder.

When he saw me, he came over naturally.

“I put the appointment paperwork for your father’s follow-up next week in your bag.”

“Don’t forget it.”

“Thank you.”

Marcus Hayes noticed Adrian Cole but didn’t ask any questions.

He only said to me,

“I’ll wait in the parking lot.”

I nodded.

Adrian Cole watched the exchange.

He remained silent for a long time.

Then he asked,

“Does he treat you well?”

“He’s only a coworker.”

Adrian Cole lowered his head and gave a small laugh. “Is there truly no chance for us?”

“None.”

His throat moved.

“I know how to choose you now.”

I answered,

“I don’t need you to choose me anymore.”

After that, he stood motionless for a long time.

The cat meowed again in his arms.

He lowered his head and soothed it.

“Stop crying. She’s not coming back.”

I never saw Adrian Cole again. My life in Fairview became peaceful and good.

My father’s follow-up results remained stable.

Marcus Hayes sometimes drove me home, but he never crossed a boundary.

I wasn’t in any hurry to begin another relationship.

On weekends, I walked through the park with my parents.

When we returned home, a sticky note on the refrigerator fluttered in the breeze.

I walked over and pressed it firmly back into place.

The words were in my own handwriting: Don’t look back.