My Death Countdown (by Netulla) novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

It was the first time Adrien had ever seen Kiersten so hysterical and hurtful with her words.

In his memory, ever since they first met, she had always been lively and polite, radiating the vibrant energy unique to a freshly graduated student.

From her animated gestures, from the tone of her voice, from the bright look in her eyes, he could always glimpse traces of the beauty of the past.

No one failed to lament Sylvia’s ruined future; everyone turned their eyes to him, expecting him to bear the burden of it all.

What Adrien carried was not only the future of himself and Sylvia, but also countless moral reproaches and scrutiny.

So ever since that car accident, he hadn’t slept through a single night, either trapped in endless nightmares or lying awake until dawn.

He had never thought of leaving Sylvia, nor had he ever considered shirking his responsibilities.

It was true before the accident, and even more so after.

But fate is unpredictable. Sylvia was crushed by one blow after another, and Adrien, unable to withstand the tragic re- ality of everything changed, could only watch himself sink deeper into the mire, gradually losing himself.

In the stagnant waters of his marriage, in the monotony of daily life, Adrien longed for the bright, sunny days of youth, for Sylvia before she turned eighteen, and for all that had been lost.

What he liked was not Kiersten herself, but the vibrant energy she brought, so different from the lifelessness that sur-

rounded him.

The brief moments he spent with her became Adrien’s only way to relieve his stress.

He had not failed to imagine the earth–shattering consequences that would follow, nor had he failed to consider how Sylvia would react when she found out.

Yet after all the anxiety and guilt, he still couldn’t help but steal another moment of pleasure.

The next second, someone yanked her hair, dragging her backward, then shoved her hard to the ground.

The sudden turn of events left her stunned. As she fell painfully and was about to curse, she saw a middle–aged wom- an who resembled Adrien, her face cold as she stared at her.

“Even if Syl is gone, she is still family. It’s not your place to comment! My son will never marry again in this life, and I will never allow a woman like you near him. Get out!”

Being scolded so harshly, and by Adrien’s mother no less, Kiersten’s face flushed and paled in turns. Unable to say another word, she could only leave in embarrassment.

After watching her figure disappear, Davina turned around, stared at the person behind her for a long moment, then raised her hand.

With a loud slap, a bright red handprint appeared on Adrien’s sallow, thin face.

“Did Syl lose hope because of that woman? Is that it?”