Chapter 21
I woke in the middle of the night, pain searing through my bones. Covering my mouth, I tried not to make a sound. Sloane had insisted on sleeping beside me after our talk, worried about my arm.
Groaning, I fumbled under my messenger bag, trembling hands finding my painkillers. I shook two tablets into my palm and popped them into my mouth, trying to swallow dry, but it wouldn't go down. Keeping them there, I reached for my water bottle, hands shaking violently as I gulped it down.
I slammed the bottle onto the table, gasping.
Night sweats clung to me, the throbbing pain in my bone intensifying every nerve.
My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the couch, curling inward, shaking my legs as if it would calm me.
It hurts. It hurts, I thought, eyes closed.
A sharp yelp escaped before I could stop it.
"Ro?" A soft voice froze me.
"Y-yeah, Sol," I managed, ragged breaths shaking me.
Cold sweat coated my nape. Damn it, stop. Stop.
A click, and the room was bathed in light. "Ro, are you alright?" Sloane's voice was worried. She rushed to my side, crouching, cupping my sweaty face. "Good God, you're drenched. Should we head to the ER? Is your hand hurting too much?"
I couldn't help but laugh despite the pain. "I'm fine," I said, trying to hold her hand. I swallowed a lump and closed my eyes. My nerves were slowly calming, though sweat still clung to my skin.
"Ro," Sloane called softly, sitting beside me and guiding me to lean against her. "Are you sure you're okay? Something might be seriously hurting... are you certain it's not broken? We should go to the ER."
My breathing began to steady, and I scoffed. "Don't worry about me. It's just acting up." My eyes grew heavy as I blinked. "Did I scare you?"
She hummed, pulling me closer. I let myself focus on the rhythm of her heartbeat—a melody I hadn't heard in years. "I'm far more worried than scared," she whispered.
Clearing my throat, I shifted slightly. Her arms wrapped around me, one hand resting on my stomach. I reached out, holding hers. "You don't have to worry," I murmured, voice hoarse. "I'm fine." Though I wasn't even sure how long I could hold to that truth.
I gripped her hand tighter, listening to her heart. "You're warm," I murmured.
Sloane chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "You're just cold. And you're still sweating."
I hummed, my breathing now steady, though my head still throbbed. "It'll pass in a while."
"If this doesn't stop in five minutes, I'm dragging you to the ER," she said, making me chuckle.
I heaved a sigh and tried to sit up straighter, turning to face her. "It's just a wound. No need to go to the ER." I shrugged and smiled. "Did I disturb your beauty sleep?" I reached out and tapped her nose.
She groaned, rolling her eyes. "Not exactly. I thought I heard a thief at first. Turns out it was just you." She tugged at her robe. "How are you feeling now?" she asked, brushing her hand over my forehead.
"I'm fine. The pain's subsiding," I grinned. "Want to get back to sleep now?"
She nodded. I stood, offering my hand. She laughed softly as she took it, her fingers intertwining with mine as she rose. Hand in hand, we walked to the bed, and I turned off the lights.
I stretched out my uninjured arm. "Here, sleep here," I said.
Sloane didn't respond with words. Instead, she lay down, resting her head on my arm and snuggling closer. I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, inhaling her scent. "I love you, Sol," I whispered, wrapping my arm around her.
Her arms circled me, her face pressed against my chest. "When we get back to Monaco, you need to rest first," she murmured. "Focus on your arm. You've been overworking it too much."
"I will," I replied, "but only if you stay home for a while too." I rested my cheek on the top of her head.
She giggled, sighing softly. "How can our business run if both owners aren't around?
How about I work from home so I can check on you?
" She paused, her eyes glancing at me. "Also.
.. stop sleeping in the guest room. Bring your things back to the master bedroom.
I never agreed to you moving them there. "
I nodded, humming in agreement. "Alright, alright. I'll move everything back." I laughed softly, pulling her closer. "But thank you, Sloey... for giving me another shot."
A soft sigh escaped her as she snuggled even closer, as if our closeness could never be enough. "You don't have to thank me," she said. "I'm not just doing this for you... I'm doing it for myself too." She chuckled. "I'm tired of the back-and-forth, of living in the past. I want to move forward."
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head and faintly smiled. Somehow, even slowly, everything was starting to align again. After years of distance, of avoiding her, of pretending I didn't care... I finally let myself feel. "From now on," I whispered, "let's live a happy married life."
?·???°???°???·?
Walking along the Cherwell River, I felt Sloane halt behind me, her hand still holding mine. I turned to look at her, only to find her gaze fixed on something. Following her line of sight, I tilted my head. On a nearby bench, a woman cradled and fed a baby.
Blinking, I turned back to Sloane, whose lips had formed into a gentle smile. I couldn't help but poke her cheek. She paused, looking at me.
"Why are you staring at the mother?" I asked.
Sloane raised a brow, scoffing as she glanced at the woman again before pulling me closer, looping her arm through mine as we continued walking. "I wasn't looking at her," she said. "I was looking at the baby. It's cute, didn't you see?"
I glanced at her as she rested her head on my arm, guiding me toward the river where punts floated lazily. "Are you pregnant, Sol?" I asked quietly.
She paused, straightening slightly to look at me. I waited, breath hitching. "I'm... not," she chuckled softly.
"Oh," I clicked my tongue. "So no honeymoon baby? That's disappointing." I grinned. "Should we try again later?"
Her face flushed, and she smacked my upper arm, laughing. "Quit it," she rolled her eyes. "Besides, you're injured. Focus on healing your arm first before anything else."
I just chuckled. "If you change your mind, just know I'm all in, okay?"
Sloane's lips twitched as she shook her head and pulled me forward. We had rented a punt with a guide, since she didn't want me doing it alone.
We sat beside each other, taking in the scenic views. I sighed, smiling softly, until a splash of water hit my face. Sloane laughed beside me.
"Ah, so you want a water fight?" I grinned, flicking my hand across her face. "Take this, and this!"
Sloane tried to shield herself, groaning and giggling at the same time. Eventually, we both stopped, letting the soft breeze, the chirping birds, and the gentle flow of the river envelop us in calm.
"The last time we were here was decades ago," Sloane said, resting her elbow on my thigh as she gazed at the view. "Was it our third anniversary, Ro?"
I hummed, holding her hand and fumbling with her fingers. "It was," I whispered, glancing at the wedding ring on her hand. "It's been so long."
"Where did you go after the breakup, anyway?" Sloane asked, making me look at her.
I gave a faint smile, my breath hitching as I looked away. "Central Saint Martins," I chuckled. "I took a fashion design program there... and focused on... other things."
She hummed, and I glanced back at her. I swallowed hard as her eyes squinted toward the sky. "How about you?" I asked, though I already knew most of her story.
"I went to INSEAD," she said, laughing softly. "You know, the business school for the world. I wasn't exactly part of the elite—I only have this," she tapped her head, "but luckily, there was a scholarship and sponsorship to help me continue my course. I also took on some side jobs."
My throat went dry, and a faint smile tugged at my lips. I had been her anonymous sponsor, stretching my allowance to cover her tuition. I looked at her, my voice quiet. "It must have been hard, juggling everything on your own."
She tilted her head, nodding. "At first, yes," she sighed. "But I got used to it. You know what's funny? Someone offered me an apartment near INSEAD. At first, I was hesitant, but you know how shameless I can be when it comes to my studies," she laughed.
Humming, I smiled, playing with her fingers as I listened to her story, studying her face. "Weren't you the one who paid for that apartment?" Sloane's words made me stop fidgeting with her fingers.
I sat up straighter as she looked at me, her gaze firm.
I swallowed hard as she smiled. "I saw you once, talking to the apartment owner," she shrugged.
"After that, I forced him to tell me the truth.
He admitted it but told me not to go to you because he knew you'd be mad.
So... I let it go. Besides, I needed somewhere to live.
I just thought maybe you were feeling guilty—that's why you were helping your poor ex," she laughed softly.
I cleared my throat, staying silent. I didn't know how to respond.
Even before I met Sloane at university, her name was everywhere—she was smart, determined, and beautiful, even though she didn't come from an elite family.
A runaway at eighteen, hustling to pay her bills and take scholarships.
.. she was both the beauty and the brains of the university.
"It wasn't a donation," I finally said, my breath hitching. "I just... wanted to lighten your burden."
Sloane chuckled, stepping out of the punt as the guide offered his hand to her.
He helped me out as well, and she wrapped her arm around mine once again as we headed to the nearby mall.
"It's funny," she said, smiling at me, "you were the one who broke up with me, yet you helped cover my apartment bills.
Back then, I thought maybe you wanted to win me back.
.. but twelve years passed, and nothing. "
I snorted, shaking my head. "I just... couldn't bring myself to face you," I admitted.
She nodded as we stepped inside the softly lit mall. "That's why, even after living in Monaco for eight years and building my company there, we never ran into each other," she laughed, shaking her head.
Clicking my tongue, I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her waist. "I've been busy with business," I explained. "Flying from Monaco to everywhere."
"No wonder," she said with a shrug, pausing to glance up at me.
I blinked, but before I could even react, Sloane tugged my hand as we entered the softly lit baby lounge, the air scented with lavender and warm pastries. Mothers murmured over cradles, and tiny socks and booties lay scattered like jewels across the boutique displays.
She grinned at me, making me raise a brow. "I think you need to see this, Ro," she said, pulling me toward the shelves.
Before I knew it, we were both examining a silk baby romper, arguing quietly over whether the color suited a future heir—the irony making us laugh softly amidst the designer strollers and gentle chatter.
Looking at Sloane, something stirred inside me.
Excitement, maybe? "Sloey," I called, while she held up a pair of baby socks.
She looked at me, waiting. I smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Do you want to build a nursery back at our home?
I know we're not expecting anytime soon.
.. but maybe we could design one of the rooms now. "
Sloane froze, looking at me. "Are you sure?"
I nodded, smiling. "I mean... we could prepare in advance, right? So if we conceive—or maybe adopt—whenever we're ready, there will already be a room for our future baby."
She didn't say a word. I waved my hand defensively. "I mean... I'm not forcing you—"
"Let's do it, then."
Her eyes sparkled, and she nudged me gently with her shoulder. "But only if you promise not to turn it into a fashion runway for the baby," she teased.
I laughed, pressing a quick kiss to her temple. "No promises," I said, grinning. "I might already be imagining tiny outfits for our little heir."
Sloane rolled her eyes, though her smile betrayed her amusement. "You're impossible," she murmured, looping her arm through mine. "But... I like it."
And in that moment, walking through the softly scented boutique, holding hands and dreaming of a future neither of us could have imagined twelve years ago, it felt like we were exactly where we were supposed to be.