Abandoned Tracks

Chapter Thirteen: Adrian's Diary -- 3

Alex, who felt an uncanny connection with Adrian, turned the page of the diary, eager to uncover more of the story. The next entry painted a picture of Adrian’s struggles and triumphs, mixed with a profound and complex bond with Ethan.

---

**July 10, 1973**

Ethan is doing exceptionally well in his career. He’s quickly making a name for himself, just like his father and brother. The news of his success reaches me often, and while I’m genuinely happy for him, it stirs something deep within me—a mixture of pride and an aching longing.

I still have two more years of study ahead of me. My focus remains sharp, and I’m determined to succeed in my own right. My grades are excellent, and my professors commend my dedication. I know that success is within my grasp if I continue to work hard. Yet, no matter how well I do, there’s always a shadow of doubt, a lingering feeling that my achievements are insignificant compared to the vastness of my feelings for Ethan.

Today, I heard that Ethan is likely to get engaged to the second daughter of a highly influential man. Her elder sister is already married to Ethan’s brother, James. The news hit me harder than I expected. It’s a different kind of feeling, one that I can’t put into words. It’s not just jealousy or sadness—it’s a deep, unspoken pain that settles in my chest and refuses to leave.

Knowing that Ethan might soon belong to someone else, that he might share his life with another, fills me with an indescribable sorrow. I can’t do anything about it. I’m just a silent observer in his life, a background character in his story. I’ve always known that this bond, as profound and consuming as it is, could never be more than a silent admiration. But hearing about his potential engagement makes that reality all the more painful.

---

Alex paused, feeling a pang of empathy for Adrian. The words on the page seemed to echo his own heartache, blending past and present into a shared sorrow. He continued reading, his connection to Adrian growing stronger with each word.

---

**August 1, 1973**

My feelings for Ethan have grown into something beyond love. It’s a profound connection, a bond that transcends the physical and touches the very core of my being. I want to express my feelings to him, to tell him how much he means to me. But the reality of our worlds keeps me silent.

In my heart, I compose words that capture the depth of my emotions. These words remain unspoken, a testament to the silent bond I cherish so deeply.

---

*“In the quiet corners of my heart, a love blooms silently, unseen and unspoken. It is a bond beyond words, a connection that aches with the weight of what cannot be said. Watching you from afar, I feel a warmth that is both my solace and my suffering. Every glance, every moment spent in your presence, is a cherished fragment of a love that I can never reveal. My heart beats for you in the shadows, longing for a reality where my love for you could be more than a silent echo in the depths of my soul.”*

---

As Alex read the heartfelt quote, he felt a warm, bittersweet sensation wash over him. Adrian’s feelings for Ethan were pure, profound, and deeply touching. The words captured a bond that was both tender and heartbreaking, resonating with Alex in a way he hadn’t expected.

He closed the diary, his mind swirling with thoughts and emotions. Adrian’s journey of unspoken love, silent admiration, and profound connection was now a part of him. The story of Ethan and Adrian was far from over, and Alex was determined to uncover every last detail.

As he placed the diary back on the desk, Alex knew that the next chapter awaited. There was more to learn, more to feel, and more to discover about the bond that spanned time and touched hearts across generations.