Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 85585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
As soon as my phone buzzes in my pocket, dread crashes over me, and I force myself to look at the screen.
Unknown number.
My stomach clenches. It’s late enough that my brain doesn’t bother pretending this could be anyone else. I can practically hear Collin’s voice in my head.
You need to take care of this situation, Kia.
Instead of opening the message, I block the number, and the thread disappears.
All I want is for him to get the hint and move on with his life. I’ve already promised not to come after him for child support or help. As far as he’s concerned, we no longer exist.
I press my palm to my belly, my fingers splaying instinctively over the small bump. “I’ve got you.” At this point, I don’t know who I’m trying to convince.
Myself or the baby.
Maybe both.
The cab turns toward the lake, and high-rises glow against the dark sky. I tip my head back against the seat and stare out the window. Maybe Evelyn’s right and the smartest thing I can do is to take a step back and assess the situation.
The truth is, I left school because it felt like I was drowning. Every day became heavier than the last. Expectations were pressing in from all sides until breathing became impossible.
For the first time since stepping off Oliver’s elevator with my duffel slung over my shoulder, I don’t feel that way. Sitting at Laiken’s table tonight and watching Elody lick sauce off her fingers before arguing for extra bedtime stories steadied me in a way I hadn’t realized I was desperate for. While at Laiken’s, I wasn’t the girl who messed everything up and ran away.
I was just… there.
Useful and needed.
The cab pulls up to Oliver’s building, and I pay the fare before stepping onto the sidewalk. The wind slices straight through my coat, chilling me to the bone. Inside, the lobby is warm and quiet, a welcome contrast. I cross the marble floor and move into the elevator, using the keycard for the penthouse.
As the car rises through the building, I study my reflection in the polished metal. My cheeks are flushed and my hair is falling loose from my knot. My eyes look a little less hollow than they did this morning in the bathroom mirror.
It helped. Having a purpose is exactly what I needed.
For the first time in weeks, the future doesn’t look like a blank wall. Instead, it looks like mornings filled with playing, grocery lists, and preschool schedules. It looks like saving quietly and preparing for the day I can stop keeping this baby a secret.
One step at a time.
That’s exactly what this is.
The elevator doors slide open, and as soon as I step out, I notice the penthouse is shrouded in darkness. It’s usually brightly lit with the city beyond glowing through the windows. Ever since Rina moved in, there’s been laughter, constant chatter, and noise filling the space, making it feel alive and lived in.
Tonight, the only light comes from the skyline. But the moment that thought crosses my mind, I notice a faint flicker from deep inside the living room.
A candle maybe?
My steps falter as I squint.
Wait… are there a few of them?
I’m just about to call out when music that’s low and sultry catches my attention. I take another cautious step forward as a moan threads its way through the music.
It’s followed by a rough grunt.
I freeze.
Oh no.
Before I can retreat, another breathy sound fills the air.
“Oliver… yes, right there—”
Oh God.
My brother and his girlfriend are having sex in the living room.
There’s no time to look away as Oliver rises from the couch with Rina’s legs locked around his waist. I catch a glimpse of his naked backside as he carries her toward the window.
My eyes!
My eyes!
For the love of all that’s holy—my eyes!
I stand there clutching the strap of my bag like it might shield me from further auditory and visual trauma.
Options race through my head.
I could sprint to my room and pray they’re too distracted to notice. Based on what I’m seeing and hearing, that scenario seems likely.
Or I could carefully back into the elevator and pretend this never happened. Although that will be hard.
No pun intended.
More porn-soundtrack noises cut through my mental gymnastics, and heat floods my face until it feels like my cheeks are on fire.
“I’m going to need bleach for my ears,” I mutter.
Unfortunately, the hallway to my room would require passing directly through the splash zone.
And I’m not about to do that.
I take one cautious step in retreat. Another moan confirms I’m making the right decision by getting the hell out of here. With a spin, I lunge for the elevator button, jabbing it half a dozen times. “Come on, come on,” I whisper, glancing over my shoulder, as if Oliver and Rina might pop up and say hello any second.