Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Have you been here often?” I ask.
“Oh, yes, every day since we were told about Benji. I spend all day here with him, while Giles spends the nights. We want him to know he has someone, no matter what.”
“He has me,” I say defensively.
“Oh…” Willow grimaces. “Sorry, we didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine,” I cut in. “I am the one who should be sorry. I was in the hospital and couldn’t visit Benji.” I give them a false truth because it’s better than the facts.
“Theadora, we apologize. I didn’t mean to say that the way it came out. I know we agreed for you to see him once a month, but, honestly, you’re welcome to see Benji whenever you want. We want him to have family that’s also related by blood. So, he knows where he came from and that he’s loved by everyone.”
“I would like that.” I step forward and kiss Benji’s cheek before I hand him over to Willow. She takes him with a smile, and looks at him the way I had hoped Lucy would.
“Thank you. So many times… thank you.”
“I have a few baby things… would you like them?” I ask, my hands now free, but my eyes trained on the sleeping baby.
“No. Listen why don’t you keep them for when you have sleepovers,” Giles tells me.
I smile as he places a hand on my shoulder, and then pulls me into a hug. I freak at first, just staying still until I hear his soft tears of obvious gratitude. “Thank you, Theadora, you are an angel we never knew existed.” Giles pulls away and wipes at his eyes before he walks over to his wife and kisses Benji on the cheek.
I leave and plan to come back as often as possible knowing that Benji is in the safest of hands, and that those people are going to make Benji’s life incredible. I only wish I could be the one, but my life is too busy, and I wouldn’t, even though I want to with all my heart, be able to give him the type of life he deserves. The type of life where he is priority number one and is always going to have what’s best for him and his needs.
Walking out, Tina is waiting for me.
“I think I need to buy a car,” I tell her, trying to take my mind off what’s going to happen inside that hospital.
“I couldn’t agree more.”
I hook my arm through hers as we walk out of the hospital, and I sigh with gratitude for a little boy who has found his forever home with wonderful parents.
“But tomorrow, right? Because I don’t have the energy for that tonight.”
“Tomorrow,” I confirm with her.
So, I got a new car. One I purchased on my own. Well, I guess really the bank lent me the money, and now I owe them, but still, it’s my car.
I spend all that week and the following working and trying to catch up on everything. And I’ve started to put some weight back on that I had lost during that one week in hell that I will never forget. I’ve also been seeing a therapist, and it feels good to speak to someone about absolutely everything I have been through since first meeting Atlas. But not only that also about my sister and her role in the way I behave.
“Hey, is it your birthday next month?” Marissa asks as she pops her head in through my office door. I look up from my work as my forehead crinkles at her words. “Oh, please, come on… just tell me.”
“Yes,” I answer not particularly liking where this is going.
“Okay, good. Drinking and food? Or food then drinking?” she asks excitedly.
“I’m not sure I want to do anything.”
“Oh, you do. You need a night out. You’ve been at the office non-stop, even on the weekends when no one is here. And don’t tell me you haven’t, because I drove past last weekend and your car was here.”
“Guilty.”
“So, which option?”
“Look, Marissa, it’s sweet of you to want to do something for me, but I don’t want to do anything,” I reiterate.
She walks in and shuts the door behind her. “You have gone through a messy breakup, with one of the hottest men who’s ever been put on this planet. You need a night out and hopefully some hot sex as well.”
“I’m good. Really,” I tell her.
“Nope, you are coming. I’m calling Tina and letting her know.” She turns and walks out, obviously not taking no for an answer.
My email pings and it’s from Sydney. I haven’t seen nor heard from her in a while. Every time I’ve seen Tina she’s been by herself.
Found Dead!
The notorious kingpin of the underworld was found swinging from his cell last night in what appears to be a suicide.