Lahat ng Kabanata ng No Room for Them: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

Grant answered immediately. “You hear that? She was trying not to spoil this for you.”I looked at him. “Should I thank her?”For once, he had no quick reply. Then he smiled and reached over to ruffle my hair.“Fine. I said it badly. Your Majesty, stop glaring at me like I committed a felony.”I turned my head away before he could touch me.He didn’t take offense. He picked up Serena’s two suitcases instead.“I’ll drive her to the hotel.”As he passed me, he lowered his voice. “I’ll bring you a bag of those cinnamon-sugar donuts tonight. Those always used to calm you down. Don’t tell me they’ve stopped working.”After they left, I began putting the primary bedroom back in order.A moving-company receipt had been trapped behind the nightstand. The date was five days earlier. The pickup address was a hotel; the delivery address was my condo.Under special instructions, someone had written: Long-term residence. Multiple boxes. Handle with care.Grant Carter had signed for the d

I removed the key to Owen’s house from my ring and placed it on the shoe cabinet.His face changed. “What are you doing?”“Didn’t you just say I’m about to become part of Grant’s family?”I picked up the photo album. “You can leave this room to her.”He caught my arm. “Vivian, I only said that because I was angry.”I looked down at his hand.“But the wall is really gone.”He released me slowly, as though my skin had burned him.The new white wall glared behind us.Owen opened his mouth but didn’t promise to restore it. He probably understood that no one could recreate our father’s handwriting.I walked out, leaving the key I had carried for more than a decade on the cabinet.This time, I stopped inventing reasons to take it back.On the day of our marriage-license appointment, Grant wore the white shirt I loved best. I had chosen it while helping him try on wedding suits.He smiled the moment he saw me. “Well? Listening to my future wife takes years off my face, doesn’t it

Serena had complained that the mattress in my condo was too firm, so Grant took her to choose another one.He paid for it too.When I arranged to return it, the refund had to go back to the original payment method. Grant found out immediately.Sure enough, he appeared while I was testing replacements at the furniture showroom.I had barely tried the second mattress when his voice sounded behind me.“Don’t recommend anything too soft. Her lower back is bad. If the mattress gives too much, she won’t be able to stand up the next morning.”The salesperson turned.Grant came closer and pressed one palm into the mattress.“You know her well,” the salesperson said with a smile.His own mouth curved automatically. “Eight years.”The words made him go still.I stood. “I’ll take this one.”Grant reached for his wallet. “I’ll pay.”My payment had already gone through.“Done.”His expression darkened. “Do you have to separate everything between us?”“The condo is mine. Of course I’

Tessa lowered her head and tightened both hands around her cup.“I keep thinking about why I felt comfortable telling you that Serena should borrow some of your good luck from your new place.”I said nothing.“The truth is, I never believed you would turn against me.”She gave a bitter smile.“We’ve known each other for twenty years. I thought that meant I could say anything and borrow anything, and our friendship would still be fine.”Her fingers crushed the paper cup a little further.“I used your love for me as permission to ignore your feelings.”That sentence meant more than another apology.At least it was finally honest.“Do you understand now?” I asked.“Yes.”She didn’t cry. She only looked toward the curtains I had chosen to replace Serena’s.“Those are prettier than the old ones.”“I think so too.”The evening after Tessa left, Grant came to my door carrying a shoe box.Inside were the heels I had worn to the county clerk’s office. The backs had been professi