Chapter 21
Kimberley
For Rosie, it was just another ordinary night in a Rome hotel room. And just another ordinary morning—until the afternoon, when we’d fly back to London and start spotting cloud-ponies in the sky again.
Of course, I can see what kind of mental merry-go-round Gabriel is on. He’s been texting back and forth with his lawyer nonstop, even on a Sunday, to get everything in order.
Right before we land, he shows me his phone. His lawyer has just sent an update:
“Update: Catherine remains in custody. No bail granted. Hearing scheduled for Monday at 11:00 a.m. Your presence is requested.”
“Should Rosie and I come with you?” I whisper, making sure the little one is still glued to the window, watching the cloud, lost in her own world far away from any problems.
“No. You’re off duty. I’ll take her to school on Monday and Tuesday so you can handle your own things. You’ve still got plenty to take care of.”
“I can do it. I’ll still have enough time afterward, really.” I want to support him wherever I can.
“It’s probably better if I do it. I need to make a point of being present.” Right. That makes sense now more than ever.
“Got it.”
The next days are a kind of stress test I’ve never experienced before. Around Rosie we stay exactly the same as always—having fun, cooking, showing no negativity at all.
Meanwhile, Gabriel keeps me posted by text. On Monday, I can’t stop staring at my phone while I’m packing up my apartment. Over the years, I’ve managed to collect an insane amount of stuff.
“The decision’s in!” Gabriel texts me just as I’m carrying a box out of the bedroom. I almost drop it when my phone lights up and the message pops up. Heart pounding, I snatch it up and start pacing while the screen says, “Gabriel is typing …”
Come on. Type faster!
I pace circles around the living room. The hearing only lasted an hour. That has to be a good sign, right? Maybe they reached an agreement. Or maybe it got postponed.
Finally, another message: “Still in court.”
Seriously? He’s been typing for what feels like forever, and he still won’t tell me what’s happening?
“I’ll call in a minute.”
Gabriel!
“Six months.”
What?
“???” I fire back.
“They’ve given her six months. Catherine has to go into rehab. She confessed. Will call you in a sec.”
I breathe out hard, a smile spreading across my face. Six months—that’s a solid start!
I keep pacing, phone in hand, until Gabriel finally calls.
“Sorry. We only just got a moment alone in the hallway,” he begins.
“That’s fantastic news!” I blurt out.
“Yeah. It’s a good middle ground. Not perfect, not terrible.
Right in the middle. The judge wants to give Catherine another chance to prove herself.
Exactly what we expected. Social Services will be monitoring us closely for the next few months, interviewing everyone involved.
They’ll scrutinize Rosie’s life in detail.
If Catherine does well, she’ll get Rosie back. If not, I can reapply.”
“Was Catherine in court too?” I ask.
“Yes. She showed remorse, confessed everything. She even said she understood why I wanted to adopt Rosie. She cried a lot and begged the judge not to take her daughter away from her.”
“Do you believe her?”
“No. She knows it means no more parties. I highly doubt she’ll change.”
“That’s such a shame. You’d think this would be a huge wake-up call …”
“I don’t believe it will be. But maybe she’ll surprise us all in the end.”
Maybe. I don’t even know what I want to hope for. For Rosie, it would be wonderful if her mother turned things around—but she’s been let down so many times already. And now, she likely won’t see her mother for months. Maybe the full six. For a little girl, that’s an eternity.
But of course, I see Gabriel’s side too. He loves Rosie like she’s his own. He wants to protect her. And he knows Catherine better than anyone.
The first week passes fairly calmly. By Wednesday, Gabriel and I are back at the office. There’s plenty to do, and I’m still learning.
Between us, a certain familiarity has settled in—but ever since that kiss in the hotel, the chance to repeat it just hasn’t come. Gabriel hasn’t even hinted at it. No attempt. Nothing.
I suspect his mind is simply elsewhere right now, and he doesn’t want to get caught up in anything that might distract him. So, I have no choice but to wait.
The days and weeks go by …
Summer has long since slipped away, and fall has London firmly in its grip. To me, it already feels like the dead of winter. It’s late November, and the first Christmas markets have opened. I love the smell of fresh-baked cookies and all the other treats.
For Rosie, visiting the market is pure magic.
She doesn’t really remember last Christmas—only that there were lots of presents.
She was just too little then. So, this year, she’s experiencing the wonder of the season all over again.
She stares wide-eyed at the strings of lights and the sparkling decorations at the stalls.
I can’t help thinking we look like a little family: Gabriel and I each holding one of Rosie’s hands while she swings between us.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed how often he goes to see his “mother”—well, not his mother, but Caroline. I can’t help wondering what his actual mother thinks, with him using her as an alibi.
So, that’s it. I’m out of the picture. Whenever he says he’s going to see his mother, he’s spending time with her. That’s just the way it is. I try to suppress my feelings for Gabriel and focus on doing my job well. That’s all I can do right now.
Maybe someday I’ll be able to forget the idea of him as anything more than my boss. I just don’t know how, when I see him every single day.
Day and night.
In his house.
At work.
But I’ve noticed something else too: Gabriel has changed. He’s quiet. Closed off. Not himself anymore. The brightness in his eyes is gone.
Is everything with Catherine weighing on him more than I realized?