The three hour ride back felt like ti was deliberately taunting and moving slowly. Martin did his best to get us there as soon as possible. I had seen her just yesterday. She was fine. I do not understand why Gwen wouldn’t just take her to the hospital.
Martin had barely finished speaking before I bolted out of Nita’s suite. I heard her call my na as I ran out the door but my daughter ca first. Everything else could wait.
By the ti I got to Gwen;s house, it was past midnight already. I didn’t bother knocking, I strolled into the living room which was empty. The house slled of lavender and baby powder.
"she’s fine now," Gwen’s voice ca from the hallway. I turned to see her, arms crossed, dressed in a loose transparent robe with a sexy nightdress beneath.
"Are you sure?"
"It was just a fever. She’s sleeping now."
I gave a long exhale not knowing I had been holding my breath. "I’m going to see her." Gwen stepped aside as I headed into the nursery.
My heartbeat returned to normal as I saw her tiny figure curled in her crib, breathing peacefully. Relief flooded . I reached down, carefully lifting her into my arms. She stirred a little, her fingers flexing.
"Daddy’s here," I murmured, rocking her gently. I don’t know how long I stood there, just holding her; just watching her made feel at peace. I couldn’t stop looking at her.
After a while, Gwen reappeared at the doorway. "Want a drink?"
"Only if you are not. You are still breastfeeding."
"Actually, I stopped. She is on formula now."
I glanced over my shoulder. "Shouldn’t you wait at least three months?"
"It’s totally fine. I have to get back to work anyway, so..."
"Gwen, it’s only been a month."
"I’m tired of being cooped up in here. Co on, let’s have a drink."
I hesitated but nodded, carefully placing Chayara back in her crib before following Gwen downstairs.
I noticed the living room had changed. The lights were dim, R&B was playing from the speakers, and an inflatable bed was in the middle of the space. I knew where this was going, but it wasn’t going to work.
She handed a filled glass of wine and placed the half-filled bottle on the side table.
I sat on the sofa and took a sip of my drink. "Gwen You cannot leave Chayara just yet. You cannot go back to work. I’ll do anything. I’ll pay you, I’ll double your allowance, I’ll put you in a private jet and send you to Paris, whatever you need."
"Fine! I keep telling you, you are going to spoil that girl."
"She is my peace right now."
"What... Nita giving you problems still?"
I didn’t respond, so she ca closer, on her knees, placing herself between my thighs. I took another sip of wine, feeling my head getting lighter.
She leaned in slightly. "Maybe all you need is a bit of good ti. How long ago did you have one?"
I blinked, my vision blurry. "I can’t rember." The room felt warr.
"Are you okay?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah... just—" I shook my head. "Feel kind of off."
She began to undo my buttons, and it seed I could do nothing to stop her. "You’re just exhausted. Relax."
"No, I—I should go."
"You can barely lift your hands. Just stay until you feel better." She slid her hands up my naked chest.
She stood up slowly, pulling up and imdiately guiding to the inflatable bed before I lost my balance. She straddled and bent to kiss . I didn’t kiss her back, but I couldn’t stop her either.
She managed to take my shirt off and threw it to the side. "I have missed you."
"Gwen..." Now I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
*****
Nita’s POV
I was still sleepwalking back into bed when I reached for my phone. It had vibrated just as I was stepping out of the bathroom, my bladder having forced awake yet again. I hated pregnancy for this. For the swollen feet, the nausea, the aching back, and now the sleep deprivation.
I sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing my stomach absentmindedly as I tapped the screen. It was a ssage from Richard. A smile crept up my lips; after this afternoon, I thought there was still hope for us. Even though he had run out like the flash as soon as Gwen called.
But as soon as the image loaded, I felt my stomach drop. My chest tightened, and I suddenly felt claustrophobic. No. He cannot do this to again.
But it was there, clear as day.
Richard. Gwen. Naked. Together.
The sheets were barely covering them, her head tucked against his chest like she belonged there.
My stomach twisted violently, and I raced as quickly as my bloated body would allow to throw up in the bathroom.
The room spun.
But the image stayed in my brain. Unchanging and unyielding.
I refused to let the tears fall. I had been battling with high blood pressure for a while now, and for the sake of my health and that of my child, I refuse to cry. Heat surged behind my eyes, but I stayed strong.
I had been an idiot. A complete fool. I had let myself hope. Even after everything. Even after the distance, the uncertainty, the way he made feel like a stranger. I had let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance.
That if I just gave him ti... he would rember . Even if it was just a little. I headed back in my room angrily and began packing. My vacation was over. It was ti to end this.
*****
I sat across from my lawyer, my nails tapping against the polished wooden desk, waiting. I had called Martin and gave him specific instructions to get Richard here in the next fifteen minutes.
I was furious and hurt. He chose Gwen and that was that. And so today, I would be cutting him loose whether he wanted to or not.
The door swung open and there he was looking dishevelled. Rough night, I guess.
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