Chapter 23
Stella
I stepped out of the elevator, and Dora ran into the foyer.
“Come here.” She hugged me. “I am so sorry for that man.”
“Thanks, Dora.” Tears once again filled my eyes.
“He’ll come around. Just wait and see.” She broke our embrace.
“It doesn’t matter if he does or doesn’t. I’m leaving.” I walked to my bedroom to collect my things.
“No, Stella. Just hold on. Please.”
“I can’t.” I began throwing my things in my suitcases, wiping the tears from my eyes. “I’m moving on with my life. He made it very clear that he doesn’t love me and doesn’t want to be a father.”
“He was in shock, honey.”
“I wish that were true. I mean, yes, he was in shock. But everything he said to me, he meant. His parents really did a number on him.” I breathed out a laugh as I opened the dresser drawers. “And I was the stupid one for agreeing to this arrangement. It’s bad enough that I’m known around New York City as the nanny thief and wannabe husband stealer. Now, I’ll be known as the nanny thief, wannabe husband stealer, and the abandoned pregnant woman who only married her baby daddy for money.” I sat on the edge of the bed.
“Stop that, Stella. You both were in a situation where you could help one another.”
“You know,” I looked down at my hands, “the moment I ran into him in that hallway in Vegas, I felt something. The moment I looked into his eyes—I don’t know.” I shook my head. “I can’t explain it. And that unexplainable thing is why I agreed to marry him. It wasn’t just for the money so I could continue my schooling.”
“It’s because you felt an instant connection with him,” Dora said, placing her hand on mine.
“Maybe.” I stood up from the bed and finished packing. “All I know is that he’s not a man for my child to be around. I knew he had issues, and I knew exactly what they were and why he was behaving the way he was. But I’m not his shrink, nor do I want to be. He’s happy living his life the way he is. He’s married to his work and his company.” I zipped up my two suitcases.
“Where are you staying?”
I looked at Dora as a soft smile crossed my lips.
“I can’t tell you that. If I do, you’ll tell him if he asks. I don’t want to see him again. I need time to heal my heart and focus on my schooling and the baby. Please understand.”
Tears filled her eyes as she stared at me. “I understand. Please, Stella, don’t be a stranger. We can meet for breakfast, lunch, or dinner sometimes.”
“We will do that.” I smiled. “You take care, Dora. Please don’t tell Miles you saw me.”
“I won’t.” She shook her head.
I rolled my suitcases to the elevator, pushed the button, and stepped inside. When I returned to the hotel, the nice bellman brought my luggage up to my room.
“Thank you.” I handed him a generous tip.
“No problem, Miss Harper. Enjoy your stay.”
Pulling out my laptop, I sat on the bed and began studying for a test I had tomorrow in one of my classes. My phone rang, and Jordyn was Facetiming me. Answering it on my laptop, I smiled.
“Hi.”
“How are you?” she asked, sitting behind her desk.
“I’ve had better days.”
“I was thinking about something all night,” she said. “Move to Connecticut.”
“What?” I cocked my head.
“Move here with me.”
“You know I can’t, Jordyn. I have my classes here.”
“You’re almost done with your master’s, and you can attend the University of Connecticut for your doctorate. I’m here and can help you with the baby.”
“And where am I supposed to live while I’m attending NYU? I can’t stay in a hotel for the next month.”
“Try to find one of those short-term rental apartments.”
“I don’t know, Jordyn. I’ll have to give it some thought.”
“Okay. Just remember that it doesn’t matter how big New York City is. You’ll run into Miles at some point.”
“I know.” I sighed.
“I have to prep for a meeting. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, Jordyn.”
I closed my laptop, set it down, and sat there for a moment, staring at the wall. My belly rumbled. Climbing off the bed, I grabbed my purse and left the hotel. Walking a couple of blocks, I stepped into a deli for a sandwich. After placing my order, I took my food to a small table by the window. While eating my sandwich and scrolling on my phone, I looked up and saw Mrs. Kensington standing at my table, staring at me.
“Mrs. Kensington, hi.”
“Hello, Stella.”
“Shouldn’t you be in court or something?” I asked.
“I just came from a client meeting and decided to grab a sandwich on my way back to the firm. Do you mind?” She gestured to the empty chair across from me.
“No, not at all.”
“I’ve been meaning to call you, but time has gotten away from me. I wanted to apologize to you.”
“For?” I cocked my head.
“One, for firing you, and two, for spreading mistruths about you.”
I almost fell out of my chair.
“I’ve since retracted my statements amongst my social circle. I told them that I misspoke about you stealing from us and what I thought you’d stolen, I found. I also said that I overreacted about you wanting to sleep with my husband because the day I fired you, I was exhausted and not thinking clearly.”
“I appreciate it, Mrs. Kensington.”
“Please, call me Nadine. The children miss you, Stella. I won’t lie. You were the best nanny we’d ever had, and it’s been hard trying to find someone to fill your shoes.”
“What about the nanny who works for you now?” I asked.
“Well, that girl was irresponsible, and Brandon fired her. Please come back to us.”
“I’m sorry, Nadine, but I can’t. I’m finishing up my master’s, and I need to focus on my doctorate.”
“It was just a chance I took asking you. Anyway, being Mrs. Miles Bradshaw, you don’t have to worry about working.” She glanced at her watch. “I have to go. Again, I’m sorry for everything that happened. Please tell Miles that we spoke today. Enjoy the rest of your lunch.” She stood up and left the deli.
I sat there, furrowing my brows, wondering why she wanted me to tell Miles that we spoke. Shaking my head, I finished my sandwich and went back to the hotel.