Chapter 121

JupiterWhen we arrive at the indoor ice skating rink, the car park is almost empty, which isn't surprising for a Sunday night. This used to be my favourite time to come in and practise because there would be hardly anyone else on the ice.We line up for the desk, where we have to pay and exchange our shoes for skates, and I spot Ingrid working the register. I haven't seen her since I quit competing, and I know she'll have so many questions about why I stopped coming here, so I try to hide behind Adrian as we wait in line.There's a family in front of us, taking their time to hand over the skates they rented and get back their own shoes and it gives me time to come up with my lame excuse because I know I have to face Ingrid. The family leave and we step up to the desk, with Ingrid's eyes widening when she sees me."Jupiter Lindon, is that really you?" She asks as if I'm a figment of her imagination."Hi, Ingrid." I greet the short, blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman who I've known since I

Last Updated : 2025-09-22

Chapter 122

Jupiter"You were incredible out there, baby." Adrian praises me, tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. "I know nothing about what it takes to compete, but that was surely Olympic level.""Oh no, I made a few too many mistakes, that wouldn't even get me a place in a local competition." I giggle, loving that he thinks I was good enough to be a professional."Well, like you said, you're rusty, but I'm sure that if you started practising again, then you'd be at the competitive level in no time." He says, making my heart flutter. He's encouraging me to keep going, keep practising."I'd like that," I tell him, feeling excited at just the thought. My stomach growls loudly, reminding me that I haven't eaten dinner and have just burned up so much energy that my body needs refuelling. "Do you want to grab food at the cafe next door? They make a great chicken salad sandwich.""Sounds great." He says, taking hold of my hand as we skate around the perimeter to the exit. I sit back down

Last Updated : 2025-09-23

Chapter 123

ClaireI never imagined there would be so many different styles of wedding dresses, from simplistic to over the top and everything in between. The bridal store at Claremont Mall carried a style to suit any bride-to-be. As I shuffled through a rack of heavy, white, puffy gowns, I couldn't stop myself from daydreaming that I was wearing one, walking down an aisle of rose-covered petals to my devilishly sexy groom, Andy. My mind wondered what life would be like, being married to Andy. The thought of sharing a house with him made me smile. our own space to do whatever we wanted, no rules or curfews. I bite down on my bottom lip when the realisation of what else that would mean, sex, whenever and wherever we pleased, not waiting until parents have gone out or having to be super quiet so we don't get caught out.Claire Stephenson, it had a nice ring to it, Mrs Claire Stephenson, no, Dr Claire Stephenson, but Andy's aunty is already Dr Stephenson, what if that got confusing? Alright, Dr Cla

Last Updated : 2025-09-23

Chapter 124

ClaireI tried to remain positive, convincing myself that everything would be alright, but when the paramedics arrived and lifted Bennu onto a stretcher, I caught sight of the big dark red blood stain on both the back and front of the dress."Can we go with her?" Bridget asks one of the paramedics when they are wheeling Bennu towards a waiting ambulance."We only have room for one of you." The woman explains, giving us all an apologetic look.If only one person can travel with Bennu, then I believe it should be her mother, but when I open my mouth to say this, Bennu speaks up first."Claire, I want Claire with me," Bennu says before the two mothers get a chance to argue over who it should be. I feel guilty about taking the only available seat, but this is what Bennu wants right now."We'll meet you at the hospital," Bridget tells me, throwing a comforting arm around Bennu's mother, who is tearfully watching her daughter being loaded into the back of the ambulanceIn the ambulance, a p

Last Updated : 2025-09-24

Chapter 125

ClaireI can see that Aunty Bridget is fired up to give her a mouthful, but I know that this really isn't the time nor place to be doing so, considering Ed will be here soon, and I don't want him to be walking into a fight between the two mothers."Aunty Bridget, come sit with me over here," I suggest, pulling my aunty in the opposite direction to where Bennu's mother is. We take our seats, but Aunty Bridget's focus is still directed at the woman who has her fuming."The nerve of that woman." My aunt seethes through gritted teeth. "Acting like Ed is going to just dump Bennu if she loses the baby.""We both know that isn't true," I tell my aunt. "Ed will prove her wrong, too.""I was raised by a small-minded bitch just like her. People shouldn't have to prove themselves to anyone." Aunty Bridget scoffs.She's never talked about her own mother in front of me before, but Mum has told me that it caused Bridget pain, which made me not like my grandmother, not that she was ever one to me an