Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Three and a Half Months Later
Adalyn
I climbed out of the shower, dried myself off and stood in front of my full-length mirror with my hands planted on my belly. I couldn’t believe I was already starting to show. Carly, Daniel, and I spent the holidays in California. I stayed with my parents, and as hard as it was, they helped me through it. I’d often thought about Harrison’s townhouse and wondered if he’d decorated for Christmas. I had visions of what I would have done. A huge tree in the middle of the foyer, decorated to perfection with red and silver decorations and the lighted garland that wrapped around the staircase. On New Year’s Eve, I thought about Harrison and what plans he had. I was sure he was spending it with a beautiful woman. There would be no way he would ring in the new year alone and without sex.
I was now sixteen weeks pregnant. I found out two weeks after I got back to Seattle. I was in shock. This was the last thing I’d ever expected. Now that the holidays had come and gone, I had some decisions to make. I needed to get my life back on track. This wasn’t just about me anymore. I was having a baby, and this little being I was carrying meant the world to me.
I decided to move back to California, where my family was. Carly wasn’t happy, but she knew it was the right decision. I flew back to Seattle to pack up my things. While I was shopping and picking up some boxes, I ran into Stephen—literally.
“Adalyn.”
“I’m sorry. Do I know you?” I pursed my lips and raised my brow.
“Come on, Adalyn. How are you?” He looked down at my belly.
“I’m good. In fact, I’m great. And no, I didn’t put on weight. I’m pregnant.”
“Pregnant?” A wave of shock swept over his face.
“Yeah. My life has completely changed since you left me.”
“I can see that. Who’s the father?”
“Doesn’t matter. He’s not in the picture. It was some guy I met in New York.”
“Wow. I didn’t know you went to New York.”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know, Stephen. Now, excuse me. I’m in a hurry.” I began to walk away and stopped when he called out my name.
“Adalyn? This is weird that after all these months, we ran into each other. I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately.”
“Funny because I forgot you even existed. Have a good day, Stephen.”
I made my purchase and got out of the store as fast as possible. When I returned to Carly’s place, I found her sitting at the table eating lunch.
“Great, you’re back. Sit down. I made us a Caesar salad.”
“You will never believe who I just ran into at the store.”
“Let me guess. Stephen?”
“Yeah.”
“I hope you punched him.” She grinned.
“I thought about it. He said he’s been thinking about me a lot lately.”
“Why? Because the love of his life dumped his ass?”
“What?”
“I didn’t want to say anything because of everything you’re going through. But yeah, she kicked his ass to the curb. Apparently, he wasn’t the love of her life.”
“How do you know this?”
“Daniel ran into him a few weeks ago.”
“And you couldn’t tell me?”
“Do you really care, Ad?”
“No. I told him I forgot he even existed.”
“Good girl.”
As I was eating my salad, my phone rang, and it was Athena.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Adalyn.” Her voice was shaking. “Mary passed away.”
Instantly, tears sprung to my eyes.
“What?! How?”
“Heart attack. She wasn’t feeling well yesterday morning, so we took her to the hospital, and they kept her to run some tests. We got the call at two a.m. that she had passed.”
“Oh my God, Athena. I’m so sorry.”
“I thought you’d like to know that funeral arrangements are being made as we speak. I don’t blame you if you don’t want to attend.”
“No. I’ll be there. In fact, I’ll get a flight out this evening.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. She was my friend and very special to me.”
“Text me your flight information. I’ll send Roberto to pick you up at the airport and take you to the Infinity. There will be a room ready for you. Thank you, Adalyn. I know my grandmother would want you here.”
“Of course, Athena. Again, I’m so sorry.”
I ended the call as tears poured down my face.
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” Carly spoke as she hugged me tightly. “Do you want me to go with you?”
“No. I need to do this alone.”
“He’ll find out about the baby. They all will.”
“I know. But I have to go. I don’t care about Harrison. All I care about is paying my respects to Mary.”
“You’re still in love with him.”
“No. I stopped caring about him when he told me I meant nothing and to go back to Seattle.”