I felt Landon's appeal. He was handsome, charming, successful, radiating mature masculine energy. But immediately, Richard's image invaded my mind.
I looked away, out the window. "Sounds nice, but I need to be alone right now."
Landon didn't seem surprised. He smiled. "Of course. Hard to jump into the next thing right after ending something." He paused. "But if during your recovery you want a drink, conversation, or," his voice dropped, "just some fun... You know where I am."
The car stopped at Winslow Apartments. Getting out, Landon opened my door like a gentleman.
"Goodnight, Natalie. See you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Landon. Thanks for the ride." I stepped out. The night wind made me shiver.
Landon nodded, got back in, and the car disappeared into the night.
I turned toward the building. It was late—the street empty. Just as I reached for the glass door, the hair on my neck stood up—an intense feeling of being watched, coming from some dark corner.
I spun around.
Across the street, under a dim streetlight, a black car sat quietly in shadow. Ordinary model, dark-tinted windows, revealing nothing.
I stood frozen, holding my breath, staring for several seconds.
The black car didn't move, as if just parked there overnight. Could it be... Richard's car? The thought flashed through my mind, my heart racing involuntarily.
Then I shook my head, almost laughing at myself. God, Natalie, you're paranoid.
I was probably just exhausted, on edge.
Richard was likely enjoying his peace without me—after all, I was a problem he'd already handled.
I took a breath, pushed through the glass door into the lobby, rode the elevator to my little place, and the cold wind finally shut out.
The apartment was small but clean, with a big window overlooking city lights.
I kicked off my heels, the velvet dress pooling at my feet. Standing at the bathroom mirror, I wiped off lipstick and eyeliner with remover. Without makeup, I still looked good—body tired but spirits high. This was my original trajectory.
Would I fall in love again? The thought came from nowhere. After that miserable marriage with Richard? My passion for love was spent. If someday I actually liked someone again, what would that look like? I couldn't imagine.
And the baby.
My hand unconsciously settled on my belly.
If I was with someone again, he'd be the child's father. Stepfather. No, just thinking the word made my stomach clench.
My stepmother, Selina, though she was dead now, every second with her had been among the darkest moments of my life.
She didn't like me, so she banned me from eating in the living room. The food servants brought was always cold. I'd force it down. Once, when I was sick and threw up, Selina saw and locked me in a storage room for five days. When I came out, I was hospitalized for two weeks with severe illness.
Few people truly love a child with no blood relation. I knew that better than anyone.
After showering, I slipped into my lace nightgown, collapsed into bed, and exhaustion crashed over me. But in that last moment before sleep, I thought again of that black car across the street, that shadow-like feeling of being watched.
I'm just tired. I thought as sleep took me. Must be.
Chapter Eight
Richard
The Paris negotiations went smoother than I'd expected. That old fox Davis gave ground on the contract, which meant Winston Group could expand its European market share by another fifteen percent. Before, that would've been worth popping ten cases of the best vintage and dragging the whole team to the priciest restaurant until dawn.
