“I’m doing well,” she replies.
“That’s good.”
“Serenity, what’s worrying you?”
I inhale a sharp breath. “Too much.”
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“Is it possible I tell you in person?”
She gasps with excitement. “Absolutely. We’ll celebrate your birthday. And you can stay as long as you like.”
I exhale. “Thank you.”
Before I leave that exam room, I restructure my life.
There’s no way I’ll have an abortion. But adoption sounds like a better solution. It will be a sealed adoption. No one can know who the parents are. I push down the thought of my beautiful man who loves me so much. If I think about him, I’ll cry a river of tears.
Once I’m dressed, I slip my dark sunglasses over my eyes and step out the exam room.
“Are you good boss?” Fitz asks.
“Yes, we’re going to the airport.”
Twenty minutes later, Javier rolls to a stop on the tarmac in front of my family’s private jet.
“Thank you both for your loyalty. I’m going away for a while. My father is aware. You both will work for him until I return.”
“We can come with you,” Fitz says, sorrow heavy in his gaze.
Javier peeks at Fitz. “We need to respect her wishes.”
Javier’s trying to be strong. I can tell he hates this last minute change. He wants to keep me protected forever.
Javier glances over his shoulder. “Whenever you need us, we’ll be there.”
I squeeze both their shoulders and kiss their cheeks. “Thank you.”
I climb out of the SUV and run across the tarmac into my mother’s arms.
“It’s going to be okay, baby.” I tremble against her as the cold wind cuts through my thick winter coat.
I’ve filled my parents in on my pregnancy, trusting they’ll keep my secret.
She steps back slightly. “Here’s your passport.”
I wrap my fingers around it. “Thank you.”
“I’ll see you soon, Serenity. We’ll catch up when I arrive, all right?”
“Sounds good. Love you, Mom.”
“Serenity, I love you too.”
With only the clothes on my back, I board the plane. I’ll purchase a new wardrobe once I’m in Florence, Italy.
I settle into the soft leather seat and fasten my seatbelt. Watching the world blur beneath me as the jet climbs higher, my mind drifts to the final night I shared with Nico. It was earth shattering. I’ll miss the one man I’ve ever truly loved.
