Chapter 14 - THE HOUSE WITH THE YELLOW CURTAINS
A year after Claire left, Adrian visited her townhouse.
She invited him.
That mattered.
He arrived carrying a small bag of pastries.
Not diamonds.
Not roses.
Just pastries from the bakery she loved.
Claire opened the door.
“Hi.”
He smiled.
“Hi.”
She stepped aside.
“Come in.”
Adrian entered.
The house was warm.
Comfortable.
Filled with photographs.
Books.
Plants.
And laughter from the kitchen, where Rebecca was finishing coffee.
Adrian looked around.
“You've made a beautiful home.”
Claire smiled.
“Thank you.”
He looked toward the yellow curtains.
“They suit you.”
She laughed.
“You used to hate yellow.”
He smiled.
“I used to hate a lot of things I didn't understand.”
Claire studied him.
Then asked:
“Do you miss the mansion?”
Adrian considered the question.
“Sometimes.”
She nodded.
He looked at her.
“But I don't miss the man I was inside it.”
Claire's expression softened.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she reached for his hand.
Adrian froze.
She smiled.
“Coffee?”
May you like
He nodded.
“I'd like that.”
