Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27498 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
My hand is ready to hail a cab. I could have used the app to hire a driver, but after watching one too many documentaries, I’ve switched to using the yellow car service, at least for appointments such as these.
I don’t even make it to the curb.
Standing next to concrete planter outside the entrance, arms crossed over her blazer, is Alexandria. I freeze, and my heart leaps straight into my throat. I grip the strap of my purse so tightly my knuckles turn white. For weeks, I’ve been successfully avoiding everyone, staying away from certain floors of Sterling Capital, ignoring the group chats, buried my head in the sand. Yet here Alex is, looking at me like a stunning roadblock.
“Alex, what…what are you doing here?” I fail at holding back my shock.
“I’m waiting for you.” She doesn’t look angry, just incredibly knowing.
“How did you know I’d be coming out and right now? How did you even know I was home?” I swallow hard, trying to play it cool even though I can feel my complexion paling and giving me away.
“Romy, please. I may not have known the exact time, and I may have been waiting for a neighbor to come down so I could slip through, but Vik is my boss. The man has the emotional subtlety of a brick wall.” She sighs, shaking her head. “His mood swings have been a nightmare to deal with. He went from being uncharacteristically happy, almost too pleasant to deal with to a brooding, terrifying pain in my ass in the span of a couple of weeks, drinking vodka in his dark office and glaring at anyone who dares to get in his way.” A sharp pang hits me in the chest at the mention of Vik. I close my eyes for a brief second, the image of his dark, tortured eyes flashes behind my eyelids.
God, I miss him. I miss him so damn much it feels like a physical ache deep in my bones. Fear. The fear of telling him my news and what it would do to us, to him, kept me from spilling my heart and soul to him.
“And besides,” Alex continues softly, her tone shifting from the corporate dry humor she usually carries to genuine concern, “you’ve gone radio silent. You never do that, Romy. You’re the one who usually spams the group chat with memes, checks on everyone, and plans our girls’ night. When you disappeared into thin air, I noticed. Plus, two plus two equals four. Or, in Vik’s case, two plus two equals an absolute emotional crisis.”
“I just needed… I, ugh, just needed some space. I haven’t been feeling well.” I bite my lower lip, looking down at the sidewalk, feeling exposed, stripped of the armor I’d been building.
“Clearly,” Alex replies gently. She reaches out, resting her hand softly on my forearm. “Because looking at you right now, seeing how pale you are, and watching the way your hand is practically glued to your stomach… it all clicks. One plus one equals three.
“Three?” I blink, a tear finally escaping and slipping down my cheek. I don’t have the energy to wipe it way.
“Yeah, because I’ve been in your shoes before, Romy,” Alex whispers, eyes softening with a deep, profound empathy that catches me off guard.
“You have?” She nods as a shadow of an old and heavy grief crosses over her features.
“Years ago, before Sterling, before any of this, I found myself exactly where you are right now. Terrified, overwhelmed, and completely alone. I made a decision, one that I know was the right one for that time my life. Still, it’s a decision that eats at me once a year, every single year, on the anniversary of what could have been.” Alex is the epitome of strength, composure, and unbreakable resolve, so to see her like this, it’s jarring.
A heavy silence hangs between us, then a sob catches in my throat. I’ve felt so isolated, so broken, but hearing Alex speak her truth makes the crushing weight on my chest lift a fraction of an inch.
“Alex.” I place my hand on top of hers.
“I’m not here to tell you what to do. And I’m sure as hell not going to report back to Vik. This is your story to tell, when and if you’re ready. So, where are you heading by yourself?” The tears are flowing freely now.
“I’m going to my first OB appointment,” I confess, my voice trembling. “To set up a plan. I’m keeping the baby. I’m scared, but I’m keeping the baby.” The relief of not having to keep this secret entirely to myself, if only for the time being, helps tremendously.
“Then let’s grab a car. I’m going with you, and I’d like to see you try and stop me.” When Alex gives me a warm smile, some of the sorrow erases from her face.