#Chapter 52 – A Lover''s Quarrel


    #Chaptér 52 - A Lover''s Quarrel


    Adrian


    Ste and I''s gazes never meet while we make our way to the airport. We may bump into each other and our fingers may meet while passing something off, but we will not acknowledge each other and what was saidst night.


    Truthfully, I cannot help but admit that I have not been able to stop thinking about what Ste said. Her words float throughout my mind like a nightmare ready to strike at any moment.


    Ste knew what she was getting herself into when she signed the papers. Sure, the research she thought she was helping me out with was research dedicated to ra''s medical condition, but would she have done it in the first ce?


    Maybe there is some truth in her words, but seeing her move as if there is a match lit under her is dispelling any concern that she may have gotten out of me. Her body looks fine, a little thin and pale, but otherwise she lookspletely normal. I can''t exactly see where she has changed or been destroyed.


    "Adrian?" my mother''s voice calls from my side. I look down at her and move her bag onto the scale. "Where are the tickets?"


    Before I can respond, Ste''s hand stretches between our faces, tickets in hand. I turn my face to look at her, but Ste looks away before our eyes can meet. Maybe it is for the best.


    The ind''s airport is small. Unlike in the big city, there is no special walk on service that they can provide for us. So we are stuck in lines before we can get onto the ne, forced to watch as private jets fly in and out of the airport.


    Maybe I should have gotten one for my mother and I, leaving Ste behind with some excuse that she has friends who said she can stay with or something.


    Any excuse would be better than to look into her hazel eyes and be forced to face the ugly truth that sits between us: that our marriage needs toe to an end.


    I know that there is no going back for me. Ste haspletely forgotten what gangs and the mafia have done to my life, to ra''s life. I can''t even begin to imagine how cruel and cold her mind must be to disregard the pain and suffering that ra has gone through.


    She took a bullet for me! What else can showcase one''s love than putting their life on the line?


    "What is going on with you two?" My mother asks just as Ste walks ahead, scanning the surrounding area for the gate of our ne.


    "Nothing is wrong, mom, you don''t need to worry about it I breathe out, resting a hand on her shoulder while we walk. I carry her bag in my hand, my backpack stung over my shoulder.


    “Adrian, I am you mother, don''t you dare lie to me and act like everything is okay with you two," her voice is serious and yet it holds nothing but motherly love behind her words.


    Look, I know that my mother means the best, but there are some things in my life that she simply cannot know about. She should not know about how Ste and I''s marriage was one not of love, but out of obligation towards a cause that was bigger than the two of is..


    "Can we..." I suck in a breath before releasing a long winded sigh, looking down at my mother just as we approach the


    1. te. "Can we talk about thister, mom? I''m tired and just want to get some rest on the ne before we get home."


    #Chapter 52 – A Lover''s Quarrel,


    My mother gives me a knowing look, one that I have grown ustomed to while growing up in her house. I divert my gaze but I can see her ned from the corner of my eye. I let out a sigh of relief and watch as the airport employee alerts the nearby area that first ss will be ready to board soon.


    Ste, my mother, and I board the ne. I take my mother bag and ce it in the overhead cab, watching as she sits down. Ste stands by my side, fumbling with her bag.


    "Do you..." I begin to speak but Ste''s actions immediately interrupt me. The woman lifts the suitcase with a struggle, basically tossing it into the overheadpartment. It slides in next to my mother''s and she barely nces my way as she covers her mouth, coughing into her fist as she moves back to her seat.


    I watch her as she moves. Ste has always had tunnel vision and has been a stubborn woman, a woman who holds a lot of pride in her heart. She always prided herself on being there for me and helping me around the house when I needed it the most.


    And here she is now, refusing anyone''s help help that she clearly needs


    Gis


    and is doing everything on her own.


    I clench my jaw and rest my hands on my hips, staring at her from the aisle. Ste nces at me and a look of anger and hurt shes across her face before she turns away, looking outside of the airne''s tiny window.


    "Adrian," my mother''s soothing voice brings me back to reality. I spin on my heel and look down at her. "Sit down."


    I nod, unable to resist drying my mother in such a public space. As I sit down beside her, she takes my hand into hers, gently squeezing it.


    "What happened, Adrian?" she asks.


    "It is just a...lover''s quarrel, mom," I try my best to cover up the fact that my rtionship with Ste haspletely deteriorated, rotted to the core. "It is not that big of a deal."


    "Any fight that the two of you may have is a big deal," she sighs and leans over to look at Ste who sits on the opposite side of the ne. "I do not know why you are ying off your argument as some quarrel, but she looks genuinely distraught."


    I look over at Ste who opens up a book to distract herself. She moves slowly, covering her mouth and turning away from the rest of the ne as she lets out a weak cough. I can''t help but feel a pang of guilt towards her.


    Last night was supposed to be good. It was supposed to be a time for us toe together and reconcile, to put to rest all of our differences and see how we can be a better husband and wife. All it did was push us further away, showing us just how different we are from one another.


    "If you don''t make it up to her soon, my love, she will leave you. You will not be able to get her back into your life and I think we both know that she is someone you need with your hectic life, someone to keep you grounded."


    It''s ironic that my mother sees a loving couple with Ste and I. I swallow a bitterugh and look at her.


    My mother''s expression is so genuine and heartfelt. It rips my heart apart to know that her precious dauer-inw is someone who cannot stand the sight of me.


    "Things will be okay between us," I lie to her so easily it hurts me, "we just need some time apart, that''s all."