He Waited for Me at the Border, I Already Left the Country Chapter 03

He Waited for Me at the Border, I Already Left the Country Chapter 03

He froze and looked at me with a conflicted look in his eyes.

The passenger door swung open.

Sienna stepped out and stretched lazily.

“What’s all the yelling about?”

“I barely slept last night. Hurry up and take me home.”

She deliberately lifted her hand, letting the diamond ring on her ring finger catch the light, then smiled at me.

The thing I had begged for and never received after eight years had been given to her because she asked for it once.

Adrian patted my shoulder. “Enough. I’ll take Sienna home first, then come see you tonight. Don’t be mad, okay?”

He left again, just like that.

He had faced this same choice countless times, and not once had he chosen me.

During the first two years of our relationship, he had been good to me too. He bought me gifts and planned little surprises.

At night, back when we lived in base housing, he would whip up comfort food for me and pick out the best toppings for my bowl.

It had been simple, but it had felt steady.

Then, slowly, he changed.

He said a wife should support her husband’s career, so I took over all the housework.

He said we should save for a house together, so I handed him my paycheck.

He said he had too many work dinners and told me not to wait for him, so I learned to eat alone.

He still knew how to give me just enough affection to keep me going.

Every once in a while, he would say, “Thanks for everything, babe,” and I would convince myself he still loved me.

Then last year, Sienna transferred back from Northbridge.

After that, he became someone I no longer recognized.

Our love was worn down day by day.

Until all that remained was fighting and pretending.

That night, he did not come pick me up. He sent one text saying he had to work late, then disappeared.

Whether he was really working or lying, I no longer cared enough to find out.

My father had died of a heart attack three years ago, and my mother’s health had never fully recovered after that.

This time, we had been lucky to catch it early.

On the day she was discharged, Adrian came to pick us up specially.

He carried bag after bag of her things and loaded them into the SUV.

My mother pulled out an envelope of cash and tried to press it into his hand. “Adrian, thank you for all your trouble these past few days.”

He refused it twice.

I reached out and took it directly.

“Mom, giving it to me is the same thing. I’ll hold on to it.”

On the way home, my mother asked, “You two have been together eight years. When are you finally going to make it official?”

He answered with practiced ease. “Let’s wait a little longer. There’s no rush.”

My mother frowned. “Elena is thirty-three. You’re thirty-four.”

He smiled. “People in the city marry late these days.”

I cut in before she could say more. “There’s construction up ahead. Take a different route.”

He tapped the dashboard screen. “It’s fine. I’ll turn on navigation.”

“Go, go, go! Ready to head out!”

“Turn right in one thousand feet.”

The voice was sweet and saccharine. Anyone could tell Sienna had recorded it.

My mother tightened her grip on her purse. Her expression changed. “Who is that?”

He answered too quickly. “The navigation app. It’s just the default voice.”

After driving a little farther, he hurriedly ended the route.

“Navigation ended! Adrian, I’ll always be waiting for you at home.”

My mother’s face went completely dark.

When the SUV stopped downstairs, my mother got out at once. She did not wait for him to help with the bags. We carried everything upstairs ourselves.

Adrian hurried after us. “What’s wrong? Are you upset?”

“I really don’t know when Sienna changed the navigation voice.”

My mother said nothing. She slammed the door shut.

“You can leave. You’re not welcome in my home.”

He finally lost patience too. “Then stay here a few days. Call me when you want to come back.”

The door closed.

My mother turned to look at me, her eyes red. “Sweetheart, you waited eight years for him. What did you get in return?”

I said nothing.

Yes.

On the surface, I could hardly even point to one clear crime.

He was like a colorless, odorless poison masquerading as a good guy.