Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Savina
I’M JUGGLING A cardboard box and my purse as I jiggle the keys in the front door of our new two-bedroom apartment on the upper west side of New York City.
I manage to finally get it open, and it swings inward with a groan, revealing a beautiful and spacious apartment with freshly painted white walls.
Darby bounces in behind me, holding a dying houseplant in one hand and an iced coffee in the other, which seems like the most New York thing ever at the moment.
“This is home,” I whisper, half in awe, half in disbelief. I never thought this day would come.
“Home,” Darby echoes in agreement before setting her stuff down on the kitchen counter.
I walk around, marveling at the chic and updated furniture and appliances that came with the apartment. My father definitely did a good job in picking this place for us. It’s absolutely perfect; everything I could have ever possibly dreamed about.
“Oh, this is way better than the shithole I was living in!” Darby exclaims as she runs from room to room, exploring the place. She’s always had a way with words.
“It’s pretty lovely here,” I agree.
We’re on the fifth floor of a brownstone situated on the corner of a busy street.
I walk through the living room and open one of the tall windows, which leads out to a small balcony with a fire escape.
The city hums below with car horns, faint sirens wailing in the distance and people shouting.
It’s noisy and chaotic, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
Just to get out from under my father’s roof makes it feel like a thousand pounds have been lifted from my shoulders.
To not have my wicked stepmother breathing down my neck is enough to make me feel free.
Even if it’s just for a little while until Pavel and I get married.
Who knows, maybe I can delay the wedding or get it called off altogether.
I can confess that the thought has entered my mind a million times in the past few days alone.
When Darby emerges from the hall, I tell her, “My father paid the lease for three years.”
“Wow, okay,” she says, astonished.
“Yeah, so you’ll be set even when I have to leave after I get married…” My voice trails off. I hate to think of leaving this place so soon after I move in, but I have to face reality.
The expression on my face must show what I’m really thinking; because next thing I know, Darby comes over and wraps her arms around me in a warm embrace.
Darby’s hugs aren’t given away freely, because she hates being touched and people touching her, so I accept it gratefully and soak up every ounce of her love for me.
“We’ll figure it out, Savina,” she promises.
I nod against her shoulder. “I hope so,” I whisper.