LOGINCHAPTER FIFTY-THREEISABELLA’S POVIt had been more than a week since we moved to Chicago. Theo had started going to school already. We both moved out of Vivian’s place. Adrian had gotten us an apartment not too far from his house. He had also gotten me a job.I didn’t start my job immediately. I was working on arranging the house to my liking. I was almost done with everything. I would be done before I had to go and pick Theo up from school. At first, Adrian’s driver drove Theo back and forth to school since I didn’t have a car yet. Vivian helped me purchase my car. They offered to pay for it but I couldn’t take any of their money. I sold my previous car and used the money to get a new one.It was a few minutes to 2pm. I rounded up my arrangements and went to take a shower. I wanted to be there to pick Theo up immediately.I got to his school at exactly 2:30pm. I got out of the car and went to his classroom and picked him up.“How was school?” I asked as we got in the car.“Fine.” H
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWOADRIAN’S POVAfter Isabella said that she and Theo would be moving to Chicago, we delayed our leaving. We helped Isabella wrap everything up in Manchester. It took about four days to take care of everything.Isabella had handed the bookstore over to Mr. Ben and Cassie. They were sad to see her leaving but they were happy that the bookstore was in their hands. The only things they packed were all their clothes and a few valuables. The rest of their belongings were given to different charities. It was finally time to say goodbye to the apartment that had been their home for the past few years. We waited for both of them in the car while they said their goodbyes.After about 20 minutes, Isabella exited the building with Theo in her hands. She got into the car.“Are you ready?” I asked.“Yes.” She nodded. I noticed her wiping a few tears off her face. I instructed the driver to start the car. The only person quiet during the ride to the airport was Isabella. She focus
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONEISABELLA’S POVVivian and Adrian’s stay with us was gradually coming to an end. I couldn’t help but admit that it had been the most amazing time with them. Adrian had changed. He wasn’t the rude, cold man I’d first met years ago. There was a certain kind of softness to him now. He hadn’t asked me about moving to Chicago again. He wanted me to decide on my own.I’d talked to Vivian about it. She said she wasn’t going to tell me what to do. She said it was something I had to figure out by myself. After all, it was my and Theo’s life.I didn’t think I would consider the decision to move too much. I was feeling conflicted on what to do. After I’d tucked Theo into bed and returned to my room, I called Jess. I hadn’t spoken to her in a really long time.“You’re alive.” She said when she picked up the phone. “I thought you were dead.”“Jess, don't be like that. I’m sorry for not calling you these past few weeks.” I said.“We haven’t really spoken since your mother and I lef
CHAPTER FIFTYADRIAN’S POVI originally didn’t plan to come with my mum to see Theo and Isabella. After much convincing from her, I finally caved in. My original plan was to go to therapy and get better as much as I could before I got back in contact with Isabella and Theo.I also didn’t plan to ask Isabella to move to Chicago permanently. It just happened. I didn’t regret asking her though. I gave it some thought and it would be a hassle flying back and forth between Manchester and Chicago. If I wanted to be active in Theo's life, I needed him by my side.After our day at the amusement park, my mum and I returned to our hotel after having dinner with Theo and Isabella.“I asked her to move to Chicago permanently.” I told my mum.“Really? What did she have to say about it?” She asked.“Nothing much.” I shrugged my shoulders. “She refused. She said she has a life here. Her bookstore was the only tangible thing she could mention.”“Don't be like that.” She slapped my back. “That booksto
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE ISABELLA’S POVAlmost two weeks had passed since Julius and I ended things. He had cleared everything he had from the house. Luckily, he left the car with me even though it was in his name. After our last conversation, we never had the chance to talk things through even though I reached out to him for a real conversation. I decided to just let it go and give up on having the closure I wanted.Adrian and Vivian kept calling and texting me for a week straight. After much ignoring, I decided to reply to both of them. They were relieved to find out that Theo and I were okay.I was spending most of my time at the bookstore. The repairs were moving faster than I imagined. Luckily, the damages were not too severe so they could work faster. I convinced myself I was helping them by being in the store all day.After they finished their work for the day, I locked up and headed to pick Theo up from daycare. “How was your day?” I asked when we got in the car.“Fine.” He sighed
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHTISABELLA’S POVIt had been about three days since we got back from Chicago. I was taking the whole week to rest before I got back into the routine that was my life. As Adrian promised, he gave me the money to pay for the repair of my bookstore. I was excited to start working on that.I woke up with a smile on my face and a breath of fresh air. Julius wasn’t beside me. I went to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. Julius wasn't in the living room when I went outside. He wasn’t in the kitchen either. Theo was still asleep in his room.He didn’t leave any message to tell me where he would be going. I decided to call him. He didn't pick up even though I called him about four times. I decided to just wait to see when he would return.I went to the kitchen and started making breakfast. By the time I was done plating the food and was about to go to Theo’s room to wake him up, Julius came back home.“Hey. Where’d you go?” I asked.“Out.” He had an angry expre







