ADRIAN’S car finally pulled into the driveway well past nine in the evening. The sky was tinged with deep hues of orange and purple as the sun had long disappeared behind the horizon. Vivian was already in the living room, the faint aroma of the dinner she had prepared hours ago lingering in the air. She had set the table meticulously, plates aligned, cutlery polished, napkins folded into neat triangles. A soft candle flickered at the center, casting a warm glow across the room. Her stomach twisted in anticipation and, admittedly, a bit of frustration.
As the door clicked open, Vivian’s eyes immediately narrowed.
“Finally,” she muttered under her breath, setting the last wine glass down a little harder than necessary. Her phone vibrated on the side table, but she ignored it. She had bee
