134. That, Was The Beginning

Gerald glanced at his watch once again, for what felt like the hundredth time. He looked at Vivan, who stood motionless nearby. "Are you sure you informed her about this?" he asked, probably for the hundredth time too.

"I have given her the information, sir. And she confirmed that she would come," Vivan replied firmly.

Of course, she would come, Gerald thought. She must be eager to hear the news that the Social Services Department was coming for the adoption process. But the question now was, where was she? Why hadn't she shown up yet?

Gerald sat back in his chair in his office. More than a week had passed. Deep down, he missed Ariana's presence. Every night and morning, he felt a void when he realized her side of the bed was empty. He missed her smile, her cooking, her warmth wrapped in her cold demeanor. But this time, Gerald resisted the urge to approach his wife. He didn't want to be the one always pleading. He refused to be the person begging for love from the woman he truly l