The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 196

Audrey locked herself in her bedroom, refusing to even come down for dinner.

Adrian, assuming she was heartbroken over his slip-up at the funeral home, paced the living room, sighing heavily and looking distressed.

When Eleanor found out what had happened, she ripped into him. "Why on earth would you bring Audrey to a place like that? A funeral parlor! What if she picked up some bad luck and brought it back to little Leo?"

Michelle immediately chimed in. "Exactly! Adrian, you really lack common sense sometimes. That place is filled with bad luck!"

Adrian's head was already pounding. "When Dad died, didn't you both go to the funeral home? Did you think he was 'bad luck' too?"

Eleanor slammed her hand on the table. "Your father is your father! That woman is that woman! It's completely different! Adrian, are you actively trying to give me a heart attack?"

Realizing he couldn't win, Adrian backed down. "Grandma, I'm sorry. I misspoke. I'm just incredibly stressed out right now."

Eleanor's anger subsided slightly. "You brought this on yourself. And speaking of stress—what were you thinking, running a secret paternity test on Leo? That wretched woman is just jealous of Audrey and trying to stir up drama, and you fell right for it!"

"I just wanted to get physical proof to shut her up!"

Eleanor scoffed. "Well, you didn't shut her up, but you certainly let the secret slip! Now Audrey is absolutely devastated. How do you plan to fix this?"

Before Adrian could answer, Eleanor added sharply, "Don't play the loving partner one minute and turn into a cold, distrusting bastard the next!"

Adrian froze. "Wait, how did you know about..."

"If you don't want people to know, don't do it in a parking garage!"

Adrian flushed deeply with shame. "I don't know what came over me. Yesterday, I just..."

"Look, it's perfectly normal for a man to have those kinds of needs," Eleanor said dismissively. "Don't beat yourself up over it. Besides, once your divorce with that woman is finalized, you'll be marrying Audrey anyway."

The mention of the divorce papers made Adrian's stomach drop. He suddenly felt a weird, gnawing reluctance about the whole thing.

Eleanor, sharp as a tack, noticed his hesitation immediately. "Adrian, I always keep my promises. The day you and Audrey officially sign that marriage license, I will hand over total control of the Lowell family's assets to you."

Adrian pushed his way in and nudged the door shut with his foot. "Okay, okay. I was wrong. Are we good now?"

Audrey spun away from him, playing the martyr. "How could I ever say you're wrong? I'm the one who was wrong. I never should have asked for your sample to give Arthur a child in the first place."

Adrian's dark eyes flared. He leaned in close from behind her, his breath grazing her ear. "If you're going to keep being mad at me, I'm just going to leave."

He took a deliberate step back toward the door.

Audrey immediately spun around and threw her arms around him. "Don't go."

Adrian smirked triumphantly and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Not mad anymore?"

Audrey looked down, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "I could never actually stay mad at you."

Adrian pulled her toward the sofa and sat down, pulling her with him. "I got the maid to prepare some fresh jackfruit. I know it's your favorite. I brought it up just for you."