So, I open my phone, take out the SIM card, and break it in two. I don’t want anything to remind me of the life I left behind.
I think about Logan. I know I promised him I wouldn’t, I wonder how my life would have been different if I hadn’t caught my sister in bed with Jake.
Would I have gotten my happily ever after with him?
I also think about my strained relationship with Nathalie. More than anything, I wish we could have a healthy relationship as sisters.
I also think about my dad. He never showed me love as a child, always taking Nathalie’s side in everything.
My mom suffered because of his behavior, especially when he didn’t care for her during her illness, even though he could have easily paid for her hospital bills.
My mother’s illness is what pushed me to accept the contract marriage with Logan, and that turned out to be the worst decision I’ve ever made.
And then there’s Samantha. She left Logan at the altar, so why did he accept her back when he already had a contract marriage with me?
These thoughts swirl around in my mind. It feels like everything I’ve been through has led me to this point.
I know I need to clear my mind and decide on the next step of my life before I leave New York.
First, I had to stop by the hospital to check on my mother and set things right.
Sighing loudly, I realize I didn’t bring any extra clothes, just my credit card, phone, and important documents. I don’t want to feel indebted to Logan in any way.
Looking at the bed, I notice that clothes have been neatly folded. That brings a small smile to my face, knowing I have something to change into.
So, I head to the bathroom, taking off my clothes as I go. I took a good look at the bathroom
The bathroom is simple but luxurious. The walls are smooth, covered in cream-colored marble with touches of gold.
A large, frameless mirror covers one wall, with a modern sink on a marble countertop beneath it. The faucet is brushed gold.
In the center of the bathroom is a deep, freestanding bathtub with rounded edges. Next to it is a glass-enclosed shower with a rainfall showerhead. The shower walls are also marble, with a small shelf holding expensive soaps and shampoos.
White towels are neatly stacked on a heated rack, and a soft bath mat lies on the shiny stone floor. The air smells faintly of lavender. A small chandelier hangs from the ceiling, casting a warm, soft light.
Every part of the bathroom is made to be both elegant and comfortable. I choose to take a shower instead of using the bathtub; I just want the warm water to wash away all my anxiety from head to toe.
I don’t know how long I stay under the warm shower. I get lost in my thoughts, but I snap back to reality when I notice my skin is starting to turn red from the heat.
Stepping out of the shower, I wrap a towel around myself and look in the mirror. My eyes have lost their spark.
I place my hand on my stomach and smile, knowing that a life is growing inside me.
This child is the only good thing that has happened to me in the past year, and I’m going to cherish him for the rest of my life.
A broad smile spreads across my face as I keep thinking of the baby as a boy.
“Yes, it’s going to be a boy,” a voice says in my head. With that thought, I make my way back to the room.
I noticed that the vanity table is nicely stocked with body essentials. I check through the cosmetics and see that they match my skin type.
After drying my hair and moisturizing my body, I put on my clothes. Feeling relieved, I lie down on the bed, and before I know it, I’m fast asleep.
*****
The next morning, a small knock on my door wakes me up. I yawn loudly as I push off the comforter and make my way to the door. I open it to find Sydney smiling at me.
Her smile makes me smile too. “Good morning, Sydney,” I say.
She giggles. “You must have slept well. Good afternoon, Nadine,” she replies, still smiling.
I glance at the clock on the wall and see it’s fifteen minutes past two. “Oh my goodness, I didn’t realize I slept that long!”
Sydney says, “I’m glad you’ve settled in. Freshen up and come downstairs. The wardrobe is stocked with clothes for you.”
Sydney has done so much for me, and I’m not sure how to repay her.
“Thank you so much,” I say.
“You’re welcome, silly. Hurry up-I’m waiting! We need to take a tour of the city together.”
“That sounds like fun,” I giggle. “Alright, catch you later.”
I quickly freshen up in the bathroom and head to the closet. It’s filled with clothes for all occasions. I chose a simple pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
I put on a pair of canvas shoes to match my jeans and T-shirt. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt happy. Just then, my stomach growled, so I made my way downstairs.
The grand spiral staircase led me down, and I spotted Sydney waiting at the bottom. Her face lit up when she saw me.
“Wow, you look so hot!” she exclaimed.
I blushed, not sure how to respond to her compliment.
“Come on over,” she said, waving me to the table. “I know you must be hungry.”
I took a seat, and soon, chefs arrived to serve us. I was impressed by their professional demeanor, even though we weren’t in a restaurant.
The dishes were beautifully arranged and smelled amazing. Sydney and I talked about our plans for the day as we enjoyed the meal.
The food was delicious, and I savored every bite. Sydney told me stories about the city and gave me tips on the best places to visit. Her excitement made me even more eager to explore.
After we finished eating, Sydney suggested a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. I agreed, happy to see more of the city. We strolled through the streets, soaking in the sights and sounds, and I began to feel more at home.
By the end of the day, I was tired but happy. Sydney has made me feel welcome and helped me get to know the city.
When we got home, I saw a guy standing in the house. His face was strikingly handsome, with sharp features and a warm smile. He had a confident yet friendly presence. Sydney introduced him as Max, a friend who often helps out around the house.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw him, but I tried to hide my excitement. I couldn’t help wondering why I felt this way just seeing him. I reminded myself to be cautious and avoid getting caught up in something I wasn’t ready for.
“Hi,” I said quickly and made my way to my room.