Chapter Twenty
Caroline
After searching and applying for any open positions that I could find, I managed to secure a desk job at the local hospital.
The biggest bonus is that they have a good insurance plan that covers all of my doctor’s appointments.
I’m finally getting settled in and comfortable working here, getting to know the staff and how things work.
Everyone has been very welcoming. I’m hopeful that I won’t be living under my parents roof for much longer and can get a place of my own soon, but the divorce fees are taking a lot of the little money that I’m finally saving up.
I’m three months along now and already starting to show.
My divorce diet has made it hard to hide my growing belly.
I’ve lived in baggy tee shirts up until now and am grateful that the weather is cooling off so that I can continue disguising myself as much as one can.
I’m surprised the news hasn’t gotten around to many others yet.
Nothing stays small in a small town for long and gossip like this will travel fast, so I am soaking up the bit of privacy that I have for now.
My parents are already mortified to have to share that their adult child has moved back home after a failed marriage, but the scrutiny that they’ll receive when word truly breaks will make living there unbearable for me.
I’ve spent my whole life trying to live up to their standards and make them proud, but I am struggling to keep up with appearances right about now.
Luckily, I have a long weekend, so I am heading back into the city tonight to catch up with my girlfriends and finally share the news with them.
I’m staying with Lola tonight so that I don’t have to get another hotel.
They all live fairly close to downtown and I’m praying they don’t want to go out tonight.
I would love a cozy girls night in, but they’re not exactly the most laid back group of people.
∞∞∞
After a drive that was much longer than usual, due to multiple potty breaks, I pulled up to the red brick townhome and park on the street, thankful that I found a spot right out front.
My Louis Vuitton Neverfull and I make our way up the steps and ring the doorbell, admiring the ivy covering the doorframe.
I hear faint giggles behind the door before it finally swings open to display Lola, Vivian, and Jill all staring back at me.
“Hey guys!” I break the silence with an exuberant hello and questioning look as to why they’re not letting me in. “Did you forget I was coming?” I say half-jokingly.
“No, no, of course not! Come on in, you just look… different. From when we last saw you.” Jill backs up and waves me forward enthusiastically.
“Hopefully it’s a good difference.” I’m trying not to sound offended, but I’m sure she’s referring to my grown-out roots, the added body weight I’m carrying around the middle, and my tragically undone finger nails.
“I really like what you’ve done with this place, Lola.
” I try to deflect the subject off myself and this awkwardness that’s lingering over us.
“Thank you! Come upstairs, I’ll show you my room and the guest room. I got it all ready for you.” She runs up and I follow, leaving the other two downstairs.
“What the heck was that?” I say once the door is closed and it’s just Lola and myself.
“What do you mean?” Lola feigns innocence, but I can tell she knows exactly what I’m talking about.
“Oh come on, you didn’t get that weird vibe? Those two act like it’s been two years since they saw me, not two months.” I tilt my head in a knowing glance that says ‘come on.’
“Yeah… I think they just feel a little stuck between the two sides.” She wavers in a way that tells me she’s definitely not telling me something important.
“Uh… Two sides of what?” I furrow my brows in question. I’m trying to make her feel comfortable enough to tell me whatever is going on, but it’s hard not to feel defensive right now.
“Well, you know... Their husbands are all part of Grant’s friend group, so it’s just a little awkward for them.” Lola discloses further. Ah okay, I see where this is going.
“I mean, it’s not really that hard, right?
” I give a light-hearted laugh, still trying to prove that I’m not totally hurt by this revelation.
“I think it’s pretty obvious who’s in the right here…
Clearly, we’ve been friends for two years, so I would hope that their loyalty lies on the right side.
Especially now that they know everything he did to me. ”
“Yeah, they’ve just been in a tough spot lately and haven’t seen you in a while. I’m sure they’ll come around and relax tonight, don’t stress yourself out about it!” Lola returns to her chipper tone. Sometimes it’s good to have a single man-hating friend around.
“Ugh, I hope so. I can’t take any more criticism right now.” I let it go, but unanticipatedly no longer feel inclined to share my news. Particularly if they are gossiping about me to their men that will report everything back to Grant before I can even speak to him.
∞∞∞
We decided to head out to eat for dinner at a fancy little Italian restaurant for cocktails and appetizers.
I'm currently grateful that I snagged some of my designer pieces from the closet before moving out of mine and Grant's place.
And even more thankful that I threw them in my bag for this occasion.
Even if I am no longer the wife of hotel royalty, I can at least dress the part.
As we open the front door and make our way down the brick stairs, I notice an envelope tucked into the wiper on my windshield.
"Shit, I better not have gotten a parking ticket." I murmur, closing the townhome door behind me.
I power walk over to my car in my little leather booties and as I approach, I notice an ominous car parked across the street that wasn't there before. The windows are tinted dark and I can't tell if anyone is inside or not, but I get a weird sense of being watched. Regardless, I grab the envelope quickly and can immediately tell that it’s definitely not a ticket. Heading back towards the sidewalk and falling behind the rest of the group, I inspect the letter further. It’s unmarked and sealed shut, but feels heavier than if it were to only have one item in it.
I debate on even opening it, but everyone else seems distracted enough.
I rip into it and pause. I completely stop walking and nearly gasp at the sight of a printed photo of me leaving the OB’s office last week.
Underneath the image, there’s a packet of paper folded neatly into thirds, along with a check inside of it.
Unfolding it, it’s impossible to miss the big bold font at the top:
NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT.
Flipping beyond the pages legal jargon, there’s a small post-it note on the last page:
“Take the baby. Leave and never come back.”
I glance back to the check. Half a million dollars… and I could spot that signature anywhere: Eleanor Warren.
The screech of tires snaps me back to the present moment, when I look up and see the black car across the street taking off.
I knew my ex-mother-in-law wasn’t my biggest fan, but she really thinks it’s worth $500,000 to get rid of me?
What a bitch. Resisting the urge to shred it all to pieces, I tuck the envelope safely back into my purse.
I shake the feeling of being observed, but am prepared to pretend none of this is happening tonight. Realizing how far back I am from the group, I put on a brave face and catch up with my friends. This incident definitely just pushed me to keep my little secret for a bit longer.