Chapter 5: A new beginning or the End?

Evelyn's POV

The bus came to a slow stop, its worn-out brakes letting out a loud screech that echoed through the station.

"Oakhaven!" the driver called out.

I tightened my grip on my suitcase before stepping off the bus. The cold morning breeze brushed against my face, carrying the unfamiliar scent of rain and city life.

I arrived in the new city, my eyes weary from the lack of sleep, the thought of starting a new life here felt foreign to me, I had to survive, I had to live.

I knew I had to make this decision. I needed space from them, their deception, the city that held all my pain. This place is my new beginning even though it's hard. I'm going to do my best to get better.

I looked around at the towering buildings, the crowded streets, and strangers rushing past without sparing me a second glance. No one knew me here.

No one knew I was Charlie Thorne's unwanted wife.No one knew I had spent three years living like a ghost.

For the first time in years, I was invisible... and strangely, that wasn't the worst feeling.

I searched on G****e for the cheapest hotel I could find, ‘Maria hotel’ . That's the only hotel that matched my meager budget.

Taking a deep breath, I dragged my suitcase toward the nearest budget motel.

*****

The room was tiny, nothing like my room in Charlie's house, the wallpaper was peeling off the walls.

The bed looked old enough to collapse if I sat too hard.

A tiny fan squeaked loudly as it struggled to spin above my head.

The bathroom was barely big enough to stand in.

Yet…I felt freer than I have ever felt in my life. I could breathe without fear of someone blaming and screaming at me.

"This will do," I whispered.

At least nobody here looked at me with hatred.

I carefully placed my suitcase beside the bed before counting my money again.

After paying for three nights...

I had even less left, a bitter smile spread across my face. "I really have nowhere else to go, I just have to survive this." I muttered to myself, I lay on the bed falling into unconsciousness.

******

The next morning, I had woken up early, I was dressed in a black trouser and a white ruffle top.

I had gotten them for a while now, they weren't expensive or fashionable but they still looked good on me. I ironed them yesterday.

I tied my hair in a low ponytail looking at the mirror, I looked presentable and formal.

I printed copies of my résumé at a nearby café and began walking from one company to another.

The first company barely looked at it.

"I'm sorry, Miss Hart," the receptionist said politely. "We're looking for someone with recent work experience."

"I have experience," I explained.

"I handled financial reports, business negotiations and—"

She smiled apologetically.

"But none of that appears under your own name." I lowered my head, she was right.

Everything I did was in Charlie's name, I worked for Charlie for free handling business deals and meetings, I never asked for anything thinking it would make him show the tiniest bit of affection but now, I have nothing in my name.

“Thank you for your time," I said walking out of the office.

I stood outside the building for a moment, clutching my résumé.

One rejection wasn't enough to break me. If one company rejected me, I'd apply to more. I didn't have the luxury of giving up anymore.

Taking a deep breath I walked into the second company hoping with everything that it might be better but I was met with the same disappointment.

The third company rejected me before I even sat down.

"We require professional references."

"I don't have any."

"I'm sorry."

Another rejection.

*****

By afternoon, my feet ached.

My stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since yesterday morning.

I stopped in front of a small bakery.

The smell of fresh bread drifted through the air.

I reached into my purse, the money with me was just enough for one loaf but I needed this money for more important things, so I quietly put my wallet away. Turning away, I continued walking.

I walked over to the fourth company, hoping that it might be better.

“I'm here for the interview,” I said politely, keeping a small smile on my face.

"It's this way,” the secretary replied, leading me into an office.

The interviewer stared at me with a frown on his face as I walked in. Once I was settled, he glanced at my resume.

“You graduated with excellent results," he said, sounding a bit impressed.

“And you claimed you have business management experience?" He asked.

“Yes, I do."

“You were unemployed for years after school so why are you suddenly looking for a job now?" He asked, making me feel a bit embarrassed by his question.

How do I explain to him that I was working for someone without actually getting any credit?

"I… I,"

He leaned back in his chair.

"Your ideas show potential but potential isn't enough, we need results," he said.

"I understand but I can do anything, if we invest in these ideas, we can make it better" I said hurriedly.

"No, Miss Hart." He slid my résumé back across the table.

"We don't need that, we don't invest in strangers.” He said dismissively.

“You can take your leave now, I think we are done here," he said, his hands moving back to the documents he was working on.

I picked my resume and walked outside the building.

Rejected again.

******

I walked back home feeling dejected and extremely hungry, I hadn't taken anything today except water.

Just as I was walking on the sidewalk, my vision blurred and my legs felt so light, I was going to fall when someone caught me before I could hit the ground.

“Miss!" I blinked several times as an elderly woman steadied me. "Are you alright?” She asked as she helped me stand well.

“Yeah.. yeah, I'm fine," I replied even though I don't believe that myself.

" You don't look fine dear,” she said with a smile as she guided me towards a nearby bench.

“You look exhausted," she whispered and I could only nod. I needed rest but not as much as I needed a job and something to eat.

She studied my pale face before scrambling inside her back for something.

"You should eat better, you know you are eating for more than just yourself, dear." She said with a smile as she handed me a sandwich.

“Oh.. no, Thank you," I said, waving my hands.

She stared at me for a while before speaking. "Just take this, you need this." I stared at the sandwich like it was a lifeline.

"Thank you so much,” I whispered, clutching the sandwich. This was the first kindness someone has shown me since I got here.

I laid on my bed staring at the stained ceiling, the sandwich long gone when the woman's words suddenly clicked.

I hadn't seen my period for two months or longer.

I sat up, my mind reeled at the thought, I couldn't believe it, it had to be stressful, I can't be having a baby now of all time.

I rushed out of my room to the pharmacy downstairs, my hands trembling as I picked the pregnancy test. The price made my heart sink. It was one of the last things I could afford.

After paying, I walked back to my room in silence, the tiny bathroom suddenly felt suffocating.

I carefully followed the instructions before placing the test on the sink.

One minute.

Two.

Three.

I didn't know what I was praying for when I looked down, the two pink strips stared at me.

It was positive, I was pregnant and most of all I was carrying Charlie's child. I felt confused and scared. It wasn't that I hated the baby but how was I going to survive with a child.

I would take care of a child with no job, no family, nothing, I had no idea how to do this.

I slid down sitting on the floor, tears filling my eyes as I stared at the results again.

I placed my trembling hand over my stomach.

I had no idea how to go about it but I now have someone to live for, to protect.

"I don't know how I'll do this... but I won't let anything happen to you. I muttered to my child.