Plenty Wrong, But Still Here

Chapter 4: Our Child, Adrian

Hi guys! Sorry, I lied. I still haven't come up with the fantasy story title yet, and I don't think it's polished enough to be published. Anyway, so far, it's been random updates, but would you guys prefer for there to be a schedule? If so, comment! I'll try to stick to it if possible. 

Also, I'm sorry for being absent for forever. School has been hectic and I've been lazy. T^T Here's an extra long chapter for compensation. 

-Amy

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Susan closed the door behind José. She took in a shaky breath, trying to collect her thoughts.

  I need to do this. Not just for Adrian, but for me, too. 

She walked back into the living room, where her husband sat on the sofa, staring at the hardwood floor. "Daniel." 

His head snapped up. "Yeah?"

"You heard what the child said. So let's talk." Susan sat on the sofa, a seat away from Daniel. She crossed her arms and sighed. "Look, let's face it. We don't exactly have the best marriage. Do you agree?" 

Daniel nodded. 

"We argue, we bicker, and we fight, up to the point where we forget who we are, and who we're supposed to care about." Susan chuckled sadly, remembering how foolish she was, arguing about nothing and lashing out at everyone. She leaned back into the sofa, staring at the ceiling.  "But I still love you." 

"I remember the times where you showed that you cared about me. Small things, almost unnoticeable. But they meant the world to me. You would make me coffee in the morning. Wake me up with a smile. Hug me for a few seconds too long."

A heavy ball of guilt formed in Daniel's throat. He gulped, trying to swallow it down. 

"Those times are gone now, I know that. But I just want to ask you - do you still love me?" Susan stared at Daniel, with the same soft brown eyes as Adrian. 

"I-" Daniel faltered. He tried to remember what made him marry Susan. He tried, but someone else's smile flashed through his mind. 

There was a long pause. 

Susan looked away. "I see." 

Daniel scrambled to bring her back. "No, I do! I do love you! It's just that I-" 

"You what, Daniel?" Susan tried to sound harsh, but her voice came out shaking. 

"I..." Daniel cursed at himself internally. He wanted to explain himself, but he couldn't. 

Susan wiped her tears away and turned to face Daniel. "I know you've been seeing someone else for a while now."

Daniel's eyes widened in shock. 

"Her name's Madeline, I'm sure. Your right-hand-girl in everything you do."

Daniel didn't know what to do. Susan sounded unnervingly calm, and it was really freaking him out. She kept going. 

"I get it. You've fallen for someone else, someone who could give you what I could not. And I understand. If you don't love me, there's nothing I can do about it. I don't want to keep you trapped." Susan smiled wobbly, tears brimming in her eyes again. 

"You're a good man, Daniel. You're kind, strong, and even though you might be a little hard-headed, you know where you're going in life. You should get what you deserve.  And if I'm not what you think you deserve, then we should part ways. I don't want Daniel to go through more pain than this."