Chapter 6

Orana’s Point of View

“Are you ready for this, Orana?”

The question cut through the low hum of the jet engines just as the door opened, letting in a rush of New York air.

 I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I stood at the top of the stairs, my fingers curling tightly around the rail as my gaze swept over the city I once called home.

Five years since I had run from this place. Five years since I had nearly lost everything.

My heels refused to move. For a moment, the present blurred, and I was no longer the strong and brave Orana; instead, I was back there, standing in his office, my entire world coming to a standstill as he ruined the last part of my life.

“I don’t want it. Get rid of it,” he had deadpanned like it meant nothing to him.

His voice had been cold. I remembered how the words hadn’t made sense at first. I had tried to make sense of it, but all I did was wait and hope for something to prove he didn’t mean it, but it never came.

“Callahan…” My voice trembled, my hand instinctively resting over my stomach. “It’s your child.”

His expression didn’t change. If anything, it had hardened, and something dark flickered in his eyes. “I said get rid of it, Orana. Do it fast.”

Fast. Is that what our baby was to him? An inconvenience?

The memory twisted painfully in my chest, but it didn’t stop there. It never did. I remembered walking out of his office, my legs barely holding me up, my vision blurred with tears. I refused to let them fall until I was alone, but I never made it that far.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, I collided with his love.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

I stumbled back, startled, one hand gripping my stomach protectively. And then she was already in front of me, beaming with a smile as if she had won the biggest lottery.

She had been waiting for me. She wanted to see me break even as I stepped out of that room.

“Well,” she said with a smile, tilting her head as her eyes swept over me, lingering just long enough to make me feel small. I always did when she was there. “I was wondering when you would finally walk out of that office.”

Something in her tone made my chest tighten. “What do you want, Marissa?” I asked, my voice was weaker than I wanted it to be.

Her smile widened, eyes sparkling. “To thank you.”

I paused, my mouth opened, then closed.

“You did well,” she continued. “Letting him go like that. It saves everyone a lot of unnecessary drama.”

How could a person be like her? All these years waiting for a man who was married. Weren’t there other men? But then I almost kicked myself for being such a hypocrite. I also stayed.

“I’m not…” My throat tightened painfully. “I’m not letting anyone go.”

Marissa laughed, her eyes darting towards the door, then back to me. “Oh, Orana,” she murmured, stepping closer as if we were sharing a secret. “You really don’t get it, do you?”

My fingers curled into fists. “Get what?”

“That you were never anything more than an obligation.”

The words hit harder than anything Callahan had said. I shook my head immediately, refusing to believe them. Callahan had married me because he chose me. I saw how he looked at me the first time we met. The way his eyes would meet mine across the room, but that was before our marriage.

“That’s not true,” I murmured, unable to even convince myself. She could be telling the truth. I reminded myself.

“Isn’t it?” she countered, her gaze sharpening. “You really think he chose you?”

I didn’t answer because doubt had already begun to spread inside me. And Marissa saw it; she chuckled like this was something funny to her.

“That marriage,” she went on, her voice softer now. “It was never about love. It was a responsibility. Something he had to do.” Her lips curved slightly. “But me? I’m the one he wants.”

“Stop it,” I snapped, though my voice broke despite trying too hard to school my features and keep calm. She managed to get under my skin.

She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering into something darker. “Do you remember the day you lost the baby?”

My breath caught.

That was the day I lost one of my babies. It was barely just a week ago.

She doesn’t stop; instead, she goes on. “What did he say to you when you called him?”

It’s like she knows something that I don’t. So, I intend to find out what she knows.

 “ He said he was in a meeting,” I replied, a lump forming in my throat.

“Yes,” she said softly, a smile playing on her lips, “that’s what he told you.”

My stomach twisted. “What are you saying?”

“He wasn’t in a meeting, Orana.” Her voice turned almost gentle, as if she were offering me a kindness. “He was with me.”

The world tilted. “No,” I breathed, shaking my head. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?” she asked calmly. “Think about it. Wasn’t there something that you found out of place that day?”

I was in so much pain, I didn’t pay attention, but I remember asking him when I heard something.

It sounded like glass shattering in the background. I had heard it on the phone that day. I had asked him about it, and he told me it was nothing.

My heart had started pounding so hard, and tears stung my eyes. “That was in your office,” I said weakly.

Marissa’s smile widened. “No,” she corrected softly, “it was in my bedroom.”

“You were begging him to come to you,” she continued, her voice almost like a whisper.

“Crying. Saying you were scared.” Her gaze locked onto mine. “And he stayed.”

My entire body went stiff, a sob threatening to ripple from my throat. Tears filled my eyes, and my lips quivered.

“He chose where he wanted to be.” Those are the last words she said to me before I left that place and never looked back.

“Orana.” A gentle hand brought me back to reality, and I realized I was lost in thought again.

I blinked, the present rushing back in.

Vaughn. He was still here with me.

I turned slightly, meeting his steady gaze.

“We’re here,” he said quietly, his hand almost reaching for me, but he didn’t.

I straightened, releasing the railing. “I’m sorry. For a minute there…”

“Hey…” he whispered, coming closer but keeping distance between us as if I was something fragile to touch.

“Whatever happens,” he said, his voice low, “you won’t face it alone.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but he shook his head. “You’re not that girl anymore, Orana. I’m with you every step of the way,” he assured, not touching me. I looked at him, a smile touching my lips.

I didn’t need more than knowing he was by my side. I forced a smile, then nodded.

“Let’s do this.”