AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tears are streaming down my face now, and through my blurred vision I see my friends in a much similar state. Sabrina is sobbing gently. Brooke is still as pale as a sheet and Bonnie is holding on to me like her life depends on it.
“I tried speaking to Tyrique, who was livid, but the man walked out of the delivery room and never returned. He wouldn’t hold Harriet or even take another look at the baby he’d loved up till she was born. I don’t even think he knows Viv didn’t make it out alive. I never saw him again. And can I really blame him. She’s not his baby, right?”
Apart from losing Viv, Tyrique walking out on his fiancée and Harriet was the most painful part.
“Vivian had been telling the truth. There’d been someone else with her that night, but I never believed my sister. I pushed her to do the thing that would eventually kill her. And all for a man who couldn’t love an innocent baby because of how she looked…or didn’t look.”
Sabrina comes over to my other side and puts her arms around me. “Goodness, Stella. I’m so sorry. What happened was beyond awful. You’re so strong.”
“I’m not strong. I’m really not. And I feel really alone most of the time.” I sob.
“Oh, sweetheart, you’re not. We’re here for you, and we’ve got your back.” Sabrina replies, hugging Brooke and I tightly.
Brooke is still sitting shocked and red-faced, across the table, her arms folded tight. Sabrina leans over then then pulls Brooke around to where the rest of us are huddled.
Sabrina throws her arms around Brooke and me, and then we cry some more.
In another hour, our mood gets considerably lighter. I see the shock and grief gradually lift but the concern and questions remain. I am after all still married to Ryan Fairchild.
Sabrina is the first to bring up my marriage again. “Stella, I’m beyond heartbroken to hear about what happened to Viv and your struggle with adopting Harriet. It’s beyond painful and I can’t imagine having to carry that burden around for years.”
I already sense the “but” coming before it lands.
“But are you sure you need to marry Ryan and move all the way to Seattle? I mean, if it’s stability they want, like a regular income, a big house, whatever it is, girl, come on, we can make it happen, can’t we? I mean, I could employ you in one of my galleries…”
“And Ethan could I pitch in with a house or land if you prefer to self-build,” Bonnie adds.
Brooke just looks at me like I killed her dog. It’s not until Sabrina nudges her with an elbow before she says something.
“Um yeah, anything Stella.”
“Brooke?” I push, knowing she has a lot more to say. “Spit it out.”
She takes a deep breath. “Stella, I won’t lie to you. Ryan likes you. I’ve picked up enough from the bits and pieces I hear when he talks to Xavier. But he’s... well, he can be a lot to handle.”
“I know that, Brooke. I know he’s moody and infuriating and has huge commitment issues.” Except he’s also kind, funny, and sometimes, surprisingly sweet.
The only problem is, sex with Ryan flips a switch inside me, lighting up this intense and absolutely terrifying need for him.
Brooke looks like she’s on the verge of saying more but stops herself, so I jump in, “Thanks for the heads-up, really. But I’ve got this. I actually did want to marry him.”
At first everyone stills at my admission. Then Sabrina exclaims, “Oh shit, it’s happened! Stella is in love with Ryan.”
“Don’t make me laugh, Sabrina.” I scoff.
“It’s alright, babes,” Bonnie smiles, nudging my shoulder. “There are worse crimes than falling in love with your husband.”
I shut my mouth and shrug, knowing that the more I protest, the more they’ll dig into the narrative.
“Well, hell. Never thought I’d see the day this would happen.” Sabrina muses.
Brooke sighs “I kind of saw it coming and dreaded it. From the very day he almost drowned you trying to repair our broken kitchen faucet.”
We laugh, but I notice Brooke’s strained smile and pale face. She’s still hurt. But beyond that she looks concerned, almost afraid for me.
What the hell does she think Ryan will do to me? I remember Ryan joking about a shrink.
The man can’t be all that bad, can he?
