The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 489

Every light in the basement was blazing, but it did nothing to cut through the bone-chilling dampness seeping into the concrete.

Audrey huddled on the sofa, her knees pulled tight to her chest. Her tears had long since dried, leaving behind nothing but a cavernous void of resentment and grievance.

She remembered that Jocelyn used to be locked in this very basement. Back then, Audrey had practically gloated over it.

Too bad it never lasted. The Commissioner who the Lowells were desperate to court had swept in and rescued Jocelyn like a knight in shining armor.

That bitch had insane luck. Every time she was backed into a corner, someone always swooped in to save her.

Who was coming to save Audrey tonight?

The sound of the heavy door unlatching made Audrey flinch violently. Grandma Lowell had died in this house. Even Michelle was terrified to sleep here, let alone Audrey.

But when she saw Adrian step through the doorway, her panic receded.

She didn't throw herself at him like she normally would have. The sheer brutality of how he had treated her earlier had frozen her heart.

Adrian stood towering over her, his eyes devoid of a single shred of warmth. "Why did you call the cops?"

Audrey dug her fingernails into her legs, refusing to look up. "I was terrified for you."

"Terrified for me? Or did you have an ulterior motive?"

The phantom pain in her chest flared. "I was genuinely terrified for you. I was so scared the kidnappers would hurt you, and I kept agonizing over what to do. Calling the police was the only thing I could think of."

Adrian sat down next to her on the sofa. With a sharp flick of his lighter, he sparked a cigarette.

"Audrey, I've told you time and time again. I don't like women who play complicated games."

Audrey slowly lifted her head, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks despite her best efforts. "It's not that you hate complicated women. You just hate me now."

Adrian's fingers paused mid-drag. "You're overthinking things."

Audrey choked out a sob. "Then tell me, do you still love me?"

Adrian took a long drag and exhaled slowly. Through the swirling haze of gray smoke, the heavy furrow between his brows became agonizingly clear.

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