I’d been home for nearly a month, and people were still talking about my ‘relationship’ with Arthur. It was really starting to drive me crazy. To the point where I knew I’d have to set the story straight if I ever wanted the rumors and speculation to stop.The nursery was mostly finished now, and the rest of the rooms were looking better, too. I had my office set up with a desk and some of my filming equipment. I planned to use it mostly for behind-the-scenes stuff, but it would work if I needed to film a quick video like I did now.I decided to just film a sit-down video. I’d been filming my vlogs at the gym in my building, and while that was going well, I’d avoided addressing everything with Arthur.I knew people were still talking about it because the comments on my videos were mostly about our relationship. People wanted to know why we weren’t traveling together more. If we were going to get married. What we planned to name the babies.Everyone seemed convinced that they were his,
“Barnett, open up!” Lily called.Barnett sighed and got out of bed. It was still early in the morning, early enough that he wanted to yell at her through the door and tell her to go away. He hardly slept as it was. The last thing he needed was an early morning wake-up call.He pulled on his robe and stomped over to the door.“Barnett!” she called again.He yanked open the door and scowled down at her. “Do you know what time it is?”She smirked and shoved past him into his apartment. At least she had two coffee cups with her. She handed him one and he took a sip. It was still hot, and it burned his tongue.“It’s a beautiful day,” she said.“Is it?”He sank down onto his couch and pulled his robe tighter around him. Lily didn’t sit down, she just started pacing back and forth in front of him. He was much too tired to deal with all her energy. Lily wasn’t much of a morning person either, but today she was clearly on something.“Did you sleep at all last night?”“Like a baby,” she said, h
Barnett gestured for me to sit down, and I took one of the plush armchairs across from his desk.“Can I get you anything?” he asked. “Water or something?”I shook my head. “No, I’m alright.”He nodded and sat down in his leather chair. “Either Lily is clairvoyant, or she convinced you to come here,” he said after a moment of awkward silence.“She’s adamant that we talk.”He just nodded again.Another long stretch of silence ensued as I searched for something to say.“You look great,” he said. I wasn’t used to this awkwardness between us. It seemed to squeeze at my throat, preventing the words from rising. So much time had passed, and he felt both familiar to me and completely a stranger.“I heard about your father,” I answered, ignoring his compliment completely. That felt like dangerous territory. “I’m sorry he was sick. Is he doing better now?”“He is,” he said. “It was tough going for a while, but he’s doing a lot better now. Good enough to kick me out, anyway.”“He sounds like a c
“I’m the father,” he repeated.I nodded. “That’s why I was trying to find you. I wanted to tell you, but after what Julia said, I thought you never wanted to see me again. If not for Lily, I would have continued to think that. Still, I’m sorry you’re only finding out now.”A sad look crossed his face, and he put his head in his hands. “God, I’m sorry.”I stood up and walked around the desk. His muscles tensed, but he didn’t look up as I ran my hands over his shoulders. “You’re here now,” I said.“I should’ve been with you the whole time.”He swiveled around in his chair and hugged me, his face resting lightly against my stomach. I ran a hand through his soft blond hair. “I’m so sorry,” he said. He looked up at me and gave me a wide smile. My heart skipped a beat. “I’m really happy, Anna.”“You are?”“You have no idea.” He still hadn’t let go of me, but I didn’t want him to. I never wanted him to. If I could have stayed in his arms forever, I would have.“I’m happy too,” I said, tears
9 years later… I sat down in the first row, my coffee cup balanced in my hands. The rink was cold, and I was bundled up in a sweater and a winter coat. Beside me, Lily sat with my daughter on her lap. Winnie was just three years old, and she was already asleep on Lily’s shoulder, the hood of her pink parka pulled up over her head. The sight of them together warmed my heart.“Damn, she’s getting heavy,” Lily said.I smiled. “I know. They grow up fast.”She nodded. Lily didn’t have kids, and I didn’t think she ever wanted to. She was happy being Cool Aunt Lily, and I thought that was amazing. She still traveled all over the world, bringing exotic gifts back for her niece and nephews.“She asks about you all the time now,” I said. “She calls you ‘wi-wy.’”“Adorbs.” Lily hugged her closer. “We’re going to be besties when she’s older.”“For sure.”“Scratch that. We’re already besties.”The first period was about to start, and I sat up straighter. Both teams were on their benches. I could
My hands, shaking from hunger, dropped my favorite dessert plate. I should’ve taken that as an omen. Instead, I bit back my tears, swept up the pieces, and returned to the party with a smile plastered on my face. Bob sat out in the living room, mingling with our guests while I set the table. He truly shined as the center of attention. It was his night, after all. He would be taking his father’s place as CEO of his family’s cosmetics business. Some stockholders were nervous about the exchange, but everyone in the know knew that there was nothing to worry about. Bob’s mother was the real brains behind the operation. I kept these thoughts to myself, of course. Bob deserved nothing but my unwavering support. And he always got it. I set the last plate of chicken marsala on the table and smiled. Perfect. It was worth the pain clawing at my stomach. “Dinner!” I called out to the living room. Soon, everyone had gathered around the table
I couldn’t remember the last time Bob and I had sex. I was always busy with housework, and Bob usually worked late. I smiled slightly at the thought of the white roses he had brought me just a few mornings ago. He had worked especially late the night before, not even bothering to come home. He apologized profusely when he gave me the flowers and told me he just didn’t want to disturb me. I mentally cursed myself. I should’ve seen the writing on the wall. I pulled the mystery man’s jacket tighter around myself and forced back my tears. “Are you okay?” the man asked. It must have been the millionth time he had asked me that, but damn it felt good to have someone care. I smiled. “I’ll be fine.” “You know, you’re actually taking this pretty well.” “I am?” “Yeah. I know a lot of women who, in your position, would’ve ripped their husband’s balls off.” I giggled. “Why would I do that? I don’t have much use for th
I smirked as the incoming nurse let out a chuckle.Bob’s face turned red. He grumbled something under his breath, but I couldn’t make out what it was. He slunk towards the door, but just before leaving, he regained his composure and turned to face me.“Make sure you come get your shit once they let you out of here, or I’ll leave it on the lawn,” he said with a finger in my direction.Bob left before I could respond.“That your husband?” the nurse asked.“Ex. Soon to be.” I hadn’t expected the first time I said that to feel so freeing.“Honey, I don’t know the whole situation, but from what I just saw, you are much better off without him.”I grinned, but my heart still ached a little. “Thank you.”“Don’t tell me you started the party without me?” a familiar musical voice called out from the door.I had to laugh, even though it hurt my stomach.“Never without you. You’re the life of the party!”I turned to greet my beautiful best friend, Lily. The thin, robust Tik Tok travel influencer