Chapter 59

Adrienne cautiously stepped into the room, her heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes darted around, searching for any signs, any trace of Richard's presence. But it was clear that he wasn't there, leaving behind an unsettling stillness that seemed to suffocate the space.

With hesitant steps, she edged towards his study, instinctively drawn by a hauntingly familiar scent hanging in the air. The unmistakable aroma of cigarette smoke wrapped around her senses, an undeniable sign that Richard had been indulging in his vice within the confines of this room.

Pushing open the door to the study, Adrienne found herself confronted by a scene of dimly illuminated books and scattered papers. A faint haze hovered in the air, occasionally illuminated by the gentle glow of a desk lamp. Her gaze gravitated towards the figure silhouetted by the moonlight, leaning effortlessly against the window frame. Richard's intense stare locked onto hers, a silent understanding passing between them.