Adesegun Daliの小説

“Victoria, we need to leave,” I said, voice clipped, irritation threading through every word, but she didn’t move. She didn’t even look at me. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her stubborn chin tilted upward.“I don't feel like going anywhere,” she said defiantly. “You handle it, I’ll stay.”I took a step toward her, fists clenched at my sides. “You don’t get it. This meeting is important, and we have schedules to keep. I don't have time to waste.”“Then go for it, simple. I am not your bodyguard.”“But you are supposed to be on that pitch.”“To say things you and I worked on together. Look, babe, whether I stay back or not, you have all it takes to seal that deal.”This was one thing about Victoria that I never really understood She loved to push just to see how far she could go before I broke, and it infuriated and excited me. She knew what she wanted and knew how to get it, unlike Elara, who could almost pass for a remote-controlled robot.I exhaled through my nose. Damn her

The bath had run too long, and the water had gone lukewarm, but I didn’t care. Steam curled around me, warm and comforting, yet it couldn’t soothe the gnawing pit in my stomach. “I don’t want to do this.” I whispered to the empty bathroom. I had another job interview but it felt like just another chance to remind myself that I was a failure. I had gone to dozens of them since arriving in Sydney, countless rejections backed with polite “we’re sorry, you’re not qualified or we would get back to you” letters that left me feeling like trash. And now I was supposed to hope that this one would be different. I sighed and leaned back against the edge of the tub. The thought of leaving the bath and facing the world made my chest tighten.“El! I left your coffee on the counter. You better hurry, or you’ll miss your chance!” Anna’s cheerful voice floated from the door. I groaned, letting the warmth soak me a little longer. “I don’t know if I can, Anna… I’ve tried so many times. I’m tired

I woke before the sun even thought about rising. My heart pounded like it wanted to escape my chest as I walked around my room. Sebastine had long moved me to the room opposite him, with claims that he worked into the night and needed privacy.I couldn't understand the concept. He had a study downstairs, but it was what he wanted, so I was happy with it. And now, in the silence of dawn, even the distant hum of traffic and the faint creak of the building made me flinch.But I had to leave today. That was what was best for me and my baby. I looked down at my flat tummy and could barely believe there was life growing inside.I was going to be a mummy.I moved slowly as I stuffed clothes, a few documents, and my phone charger into one small bag, tucking the pregnancy test safely into a side pocket of the bag.Each item I packed was very important. Nothing fancy. I couldn’t afford to raise any suspicion.Sebastine finally left for work, and I let out a shaky breath but didn’t allow myself

“I don’t recognize you.” I whispered. “Look woman, we’ve both had a long evening and I have an early start tomorrow. You need to quit this drama, get your shit together and let me have some peace of mind.”Sabastine didn't see anything wrong with any of the things he had said and it had me wondering when my husband had transformed into a total stranger. I turned away before he could see me break.In the room, I shut the door and slid down against it, pressing my hand to my mouth as my body shook. Finally, I let all the emotions from this evening translate into tears and stream down my face. I was tired of being strong. Tired of fighting.I stayed there longer than I realized. But when my phone vibrated, I managed to push myself off the ground and get it…It was an app notification from flo. At first, I thought it was something casual until my eyes fell on the words written in italics.Period is five days late.My eyes froze on my screen and my breath choked in my throat.“No, no. No

gripped my clutch so tight my fingers ached. Cameras flashed nonstop, catching Sebastian’s face in perfect focus. His smile was effortless, his stride confident. Everyone’s eyes were on him. And me? Invisible.“Mr. Banks, over here,” someone called. He didn’t bother turning.I fell into step behind him, heels clicking softly against marble. “Sebastian,” I said, hoping for even the smallest acknowledgment. “The Huang Group asked if you’d meet them tomorrow.”His eyes met mine briefly. Cold. “I’ll attend to that later.”Later. Always later.Nearby, a group of women whispered, close enough for me to hear.“That man would make a fine husband.”“Isn’t he married?”“Yes, but his wife… is a nobody. If I tried, I wouuld have him wrapped around my fingers in weeks.”“Honestly, he doesn’t even look married,” another added.My chest tightened and my fingers ached from the clutch, but what hurt more wasn’t physical pain, it was humiliation, the sharp sting of being invisible to the man I had lo