By evening,she dragged her leaden legs home.The sky had already fallen into darkness.
She unlocked the door with her fingerprint,only to find a pair of unfamiliar high heels tossed carelessly in the entryway.
Adrian’s leather shoes were kicked off beside them.
A sharp dread gripped her heart.
She hurried into the living room—and froze,her blood nearly turning to ice.
Deafening electronic music thundered through the living room,a jarring contrast to the soothing classical pieces she usually loved.
On the sofa,Adrian lounged at ease.
In his arms sat Vanessa,bubblegum-pink hair spilling over her shoulders,dressed in hot pants and a cropped top.She swirled a glass of red wine,laughing so hard her whole body trembled,practically glued to Adrian’s side.
Clara’s cherished ragdoll cat,Snowball,was tied around the neck with a random length of rope.Terrified,it dangled from the spiral staircase leading to the second floor.The other end of the rope was knotted casually to the railing.Snowball’s small body writhed helplessly,crying out;with every swing it came closer to a deadly fall.
“Snowball!”Clara cried out,her voice breaking,ready to run forward.
“Oh my,the lady of the house is back?”Vanessa’s syrupy voice rang out,laced with malice and mockery.
She didn’t stop;instead she excitedly whipped out her phone,recording the frightened cat.
“Adrian,look at it—swinging back and forth like a plush toy!Isn’t it funny?Hahaha!”
At her words,Adrian actually gave a low laugh.He tightened his arm around Vanessa,his eyes—hidden behind gold-rimmed glasses—sliding over the terrified cat before settling on Clara’s pale face.There was not a trace of guilt in them,only indulgence.
He seemed to enjoy Vanessa’s vicious“energy,”even found it amusing.
In that instant,Clara remembered three years ago,when Snowball was just a tiny kitten and Adrian had placed it in her arms,saying:
“Clara,when I’m away on business,let this little one keep you company.Look at its blue eyes—just like yours,pure and trusting.”
Back then,Adrian had patiently fed Snowball and cleaned its litter box—simply because she loved it.
The tenderness in her memories and the cruelty before her formed a blade,driving straight through her heart.
“Adrian,are you even human anymore?Put Snowball down!”Clara’s voice shook as she tried to rush toward the stairs.