40. Kate
‘Who was at the door?’ Kate asked as she came out to the living room, rubbing a towel through her wet hair. Hugo had shown up forty-five minutes ago to check on her again. He’d made her get out of bed and forced her to shower, but she’d heard voices as she’d left the bathroom.
‘Elias.’
Kate stared at him. ‘What?’
‘He came to get his stuff.’
‘You spoke to him?’
‘Not on purpose. I just happened to see him outside when I was in the hall. It looked like he was trying to avoid contact with anyone.’
‘What did he say when he saw you?’
‘Just that he came to get his belongings.’
‘And did he?’
Hugo frowned. ‘Actually, no. He probably got distracted when he saw me.’
‘What else did he say?’
Hugo pinched his lips together. ‘Why don’t I make you some tea first?’
Kate’s blood ran cold. You didn’t offer to make someone tea before telling them something unless the news was bad.
‘Just tell me now.’
Hugo’s expression turned to one of anguish. ‘Please don’t shoot the messenger.’
‘What did he say?’ she asked in a low voice.
‘That he’s done. He doesn’t want anything further to do with you or the baby.’
Kate’s knees almost buckled from underneath her. Yes, she’d texted Elias to say she wanted to end things, but she’d only said it because she was upset he’d taken off and hadn’t tried to contact her later. She hadn’t expected him to just roll over and agree.
This was worse than being cheated on. There was no other woman to allocate any of the blame to—although Kate had always placed ninety-nine percent of the blame for a cheating incident on the men. She had never understood women who put all the blame on the other woman, as if the guy had accidentally stumbled into the situation.
This was Elias breaking up with her and her child. He was saying he never wanted to see her or his baby. Ever.
She started crying, and Hugo hurried over, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to his chest.
She breathed in Hugo’s cologne. It was Hugo Boss’ Man. He’d thought it was funny because of the name and how the bottle’s label spelled out HUGO in big red letters.
Kate vaguely wondered if that was a sign of a narcissist, but at least the guy was here looking after her. He’d been here yesterday, and he’d shown up again first thing this morning. Kate was a big believer in actions speaking louder than words.
‘Don’t you have to work or something?’ she asked.
‘No. My schedule is flexible right now, and I can use my laptop if necessary.’
‘Do you have your laptop with you?’
‘I always leave it in the car, along with an emergency suitcase. I never know when I’m going to be called away at short notice, so I like to be prepared.’
‘Since when have you been doing that?’
‘I don’t know. A couple of years, maybe?’
‘Really?’
Was that something she would have known? Was it even important? Why was she feeling so odd around Hugo? It must just be the shock manifesting in strange ways.
‘Yes, really. So I can stay by your side for a few days without having to worry about leaving for supplies. Are you hungry? I can make my famous shakshouka?’
‘Uh, I don’t know if I have the ingredients.’
‘You don’t have eggs?’
‘I’m not sure.’ Her brain wasn’t functioning properly. Why were they talking about groceries when her life had just fallen apart?
‘I’ll take a look. I’m sure you have enough stuff in your cupboards for me to whip up something tasty.’
She watched him potter around in her kitchen, feeling as though she’d fallen into some strange nightmare. Except this was reality. She couldn’t wake up.
She hadn’t been with Elias for long, but it had felt so right. So normal. And he hadn’t given her a single reason to believe that he would just suddenly disappear without a word.
Seeing Hugo make her breakfast instead did not feel normal.
‘Hey, I think I’d like to be alone again,’ she said.
He came back over and stood in front of her. ‘Kate. You need to lean on your friends when things get tough. Stop trying to do it all on your own.’
‘But…’
‘No buts. I’m going to make you some food, and then you can go about your day as normal, but I’m going to stay to keep an eye on you.’
She wanted to argue further, but she didn’t have the energy. And to be honest, having Elias abandon her made her feel incredibly lonely. Maybe a familiar face would be a welcome distraction.
‘Okay.’
‘Good. Now go sit down. Put your feet up. I’ll bring your food over soon.’
She numbly walked to the couch and plonked down.
The despair had completely taken over her body.
She couldn’t think about anything anymore.
* * *
An hour later,Georgia let herself into the house. And she was alone.
Kate looked up at her sister, who was towering over the couch.
‘What the hell happened yesterday?’ she asked.
Kate belatedly realised Georgia hadn’t shown up. She wondered if her sister would have made things better or worse if she had.
‘Where are the kids?’ Kate asked, stalling.
‘They’re with Mum. When she told me what happened, I demanded she babysit for an hour so I could check on you. Honestly, some days I wonder how we came out of her DNA.’
Kate bit back a smile. It was nice to have a family member on her side.
‘It was pretty terrible,’ she admitted.
‘Who are you talking to—’ Hugo cut himself off as he appeared in the living room and saw Georgia. ‘Oh, it’s you.’
‘Yes, it’s me. Disappointed?’
‘Not at all. I’m glad I’m not the only one looking out for Kate’s wellbeing.’
Georgia furrowed her brow. ‘And you’re saying you’re the other one?’
‘Of course I am. Not like some flaky artist I won’t mention.’
‘Where is Elias?’ Georgia asked.
‘No idea,’ Kate said flatly. ‘He ditched me, apparently.’
‘That doesn’t sound right.’
‘Well, it is. Do you see him here?’
Georgia turned to Hugo. ‘Can you please go somewhere else? I’d like to talk to my sister in private.’
‘Anything you want to say to her, you can say to me,’ he said.
Georgia snorted. ‘Um, no. Get the hell out of this living room. Now.’
Kate wanted to apologise to Hugo for her sister’s harsh words, but she also thought it was a little rich him thinking he was now privy to every aspect of her life just because he was visiting temporarily.
‘Actually, if it’s okay, do you mind if I have a chat with my sister alone?’ she asked.
He huffed. ‘Fine. I’ll be in the spare room if you need me.’
Georgia watched after him with a look of distaste. ‘Ugh. I don’t know how you can stand to have that guy in your house. He gives me the creeps.’
‘How? He’s way more honourable than Elias—who left as soon as his mother showed up yesterday.’
‘And you really haven’t heard from him?’
‘Nope.’
‘He really told you it was over?’
‘He didn’t even have the courtesy to tell me to my face.’
‘So how do you know?’
‘Because he came by and told Hugo of all people. And his phone is switched off.’
‘Something’s wrong here.’
‘Everything is wrong here! But I’m just going to have to accept it and move on. I need to make a plan on my own where I don’t have to rely on anyone. My baby deserves stability.’
‘Of course they do. And I’ll be around to help. My older two are at school during the week, so you can come hang at my place, and we’ll look after the other kids together. And I’m sure Mum and Dad will help, regardless of whatever stupid idea Mum had yesterday. I was actually planning on coming by near the end of the shower, but Mum called and told me she’d already left and that everyone else was going home too. She tried to blame Elias’ mum for the entire debacle, but she also let slip she’d invited Hugo and that you didn’t seem impressed by the game she wanted to play.’
‘Did she explain what the game involved?’
‘Yes, and I told her she was out of line. But I know when it comes to the crunch, she’ll be there for you and the baby.’
‘I don’t know if I want her to be in the baby’s life.’
‘Stop being so dramatic. You’ll change your tune when you haven’t slept or showered for two days because you have a small creature glued to you.’
‘We’ll see.’
She nodded her head toward the spare room. ‘How long is Hugo staying?’
‘I don’t know. He really has been kind of sweet. If not a little overbearing.’
‘Make sure he doesn’t get the wrong idea about the arrangement.’
‘He knows how I feel.’
‘Maybe. But he might also think he has an in while you’re vulnerable.’
‘I don’t think he’s that calculating.’
‘I do. But anyway, I should probably get back to Mum. I made her take the morning off work, but she has to go into the office for the second half of the day. Make sure you call me anytime you’re feeling overwhelmed. We’ll sort it out.’
‘Thanks, George.’
Georgia ruffled Kate’s hair and left.
Her sister’s presence had been grounding. She was lucky to have the support of a sibling… and one with extensive child-rearing experience.
And then she thought about Hugo, sitting in her spare room, presumably waiting to be called back out.
What was she going to do about him?
Should he have a place in her and her baby’s future?
She wasn’t sure.