Glass Waltz (A Short Story)

Silver

As the sun rose over the Carlton house, its light bathed the dining room, bringing it to life. The room buzzed with conversation as Alexander, Lily, and James chatted animatedly. Meanwhile, Barrett sat with his cereal, his thoughts elsewhere, and Adrian sat at the head of the table, lost in contemplation of the events of the previous night. Despite the lively chatter, the atmosphere was tense, with the aftermath of a tumultuous revelation hanging heavy in the air.

Adrian's eyes wandered around the room, taking in the expressions of his family. He noticed the joyful expressions on his parents' faces, especially his mother's radiant excitement at the prospect of becoming a grandmother. Even his father appeared genuinely pleased, a rare sight for the usually stern patriarch. Adrian expected his father to ask some questions, but he sensed that, for the moment, Alexander Carlton was relishing the idea of becoming a grandfather, lost in the joy of the moment.

In contrast to the newfound warmth in James's demeanor, last night had been a turning point. It marked the first time James didn't cast a disapproving glare at Adrian. The change in his gaze, in the way he spoke, seemed connected to the fact that James had spoken with his granddaughter before she unraveled the truth. Before she realized she had been manipulated and before she had started despising herself for falling in love with Adrian. Before she shattered into a bottomless pit of heartbreak.

The woman Adrian regarded as a delicate glass doll, dancing in happiness, now lay defeated in his bed. When she lost consciousness the previous night, he swiftly carried her to their room. Urgently and quietly, he summoned the doctor to examine her. The diagnosis was high blood pressure caused by stress, a precarious condition during early pregnancy. The doctor emphasized the need for a stress-free environment, warning of potential complications. Adrian was entrusted with the responsibility to care for his wife, ensuring her pregnancy journey was smooth and joyful.

Adrian's bitter laugh echoed in response to the doctor's counsel on making Ariel happy. How could he bring joy when he had taken away all that was dear to her? Memories of his stern words to Barrett, likely overheard by Ariel, haunted him. He had scorned her for seeking love from her father and husband, as though it was her fault for yearning for affection and care from those closest to her. He had accused her emotions of being her undoing.

Adrian felt a profound animosity towards Barrett, repulsed not just by the man but also by the reflection of Barrett he saw in himself. In his quest for success—more shares, more wealth, and outdoing his father's legacy in the pharmaceutical industry—he had become a version of Barrett, neglecting the empathy and compassion he once held.

He reflected on the impact of his deeds, recognizing that his excessive focus on success had unintentionally robbed a woman of happiness, a woman who had been without a mother since childhood and rejected by her own father.

Though Ariel had discovered solace in the love and affection of her grandfather, yet she remained unaware of her underlying emotional issues, including medical ADHD. Her tendencies to ramble when nervous or happy were clear indicators of her struggles, yet no one had paid enough attention to prompt a diagnosis and treatment. Instead, the redhead doll had faced ridicule, finding herself with no friends because she felt too weird or quirky- a term she used to shield herself from the harsh judgments of others. In her self-awareness, she even likened herself to Sheldon Cooper, a TV character she perceived as challenging to be friends with. Despite these challenges, being a resilient woman, she had consistently transformed every aspect of her life into something positive.

Adrian questioned how she could find a positive perspective amid the turmoil he had unintentionally caused. The realization of the impact on her emotional well-being weighed heavily on him, leaving him uncertain about the path forward.