Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
I force myself to finish wiping down the surfaces, flipping off lights, and finally, locking the front door. The routine helps to steady my nerves. By the time I grab my coat and purse, the tension has dulled to a manageable thrum.
On the way to River’s building, my thoughts circle back to Zane. I’m proud of myself for not shrinking in the face of his anger or trying to soothe things. I stood my ground.
After pulling into the parking garage, I take the private elevator up to River’s place. The quiet hum feels surreal, like I’ve stepped into someone else’s life. The luxury here still throws me off. All the sleek finishes, the curated art, the way everything smells faintly of clean linen and expensive cologne. Every time I step into the elevator or lobby, part of me braces for the staff to question what I’m doing here before reminding me I don’t belong.
But I do.
At least for the time being.
I shove those thoughts from my head before stepping into the entryway and heading toward the kitchen, steeling myself for the chaos I’ll find. Nora has been River’s responsibility all day. By this point in the late afternoon, my parents are usually exhausted and ready to pass off their grandchild like she’s a ticking time bomb. I expect to find toys scattered everywhere, the TV blaring, maybe even River half-panicked and questioning every decision that led him to this place in his life.
Instead, I find calm.
Quiet.
It’s almost unnervingly so.
I glance toward the living room. There are a few toys lying on the plush area rug. Some are familiar, and a couple look brand new. Which means River went out and bought her more things to play with.
Of course he did.
I shake my head, a reluctant smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.
I’m just about to call out his name when I hear it.
Laughter.
And it’s not Nora’s.
Or River’s.
A woman’s chuckle carries down the hallway.
It’s both warm and easy.
That’s all it takes for something sharp to twist low in my belly as I slowly move toward the sound, each step heavier than the last.
Maybe the intimacy between us meant nothing to him. Maybe everything he said about wanting me all these years was a lie.
Nothing more than a line to get me into his bed.
It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve fallen for pretty words.
What hurts the most is that after everything I’ve been through, I believed him.
I’m such an idiot.
River’s deep voice floats down the hall, mingling with the woman’s. It’s low, warm, and familiar, curling through me with the kind of ache that’s impossible to shake.
Dread slams into me as I realize it’s coming from Nora’s room.
No, it’s not her room.
Just the space where she’s been staying.
I stop a few feet from the doorway, every part of me clenched tight, as if I’m bracing for a blow.
The first thing I’m going to do after confronting River is call my parents and ask if I can crash at their place until I find a new living arrangement. It won’t be easy, but I don’t have many options.
Instead of loitering in the hallway, I force myself to step into the room. River stands near the windows, talking to a woman I don’t recognize. She’s tall and polished in a way I could never be. Her dark hair is tucked behind one ear as she leans in to show him something on her phone. The smile gracing her lips is effortless, and her body language is a little too familiar. As if they’re well acquainted.
Nora sits at River’s feet, flipping through a board book with Gaffy tucked in her lap.
The scene punches me in the chest. It’s cozy and casual. As if they’re already a little family and I’m the outsider.
Before I can stop myself, I clear my throat.
River’s head jerks up, and surprise flashes across his face. “You’re home already?”
Umm, excuse me?
He brushes his palms on his jeans and steps toward me. “I wanted the room to be a surprise.”
The room?
The woman flashes a bright and airy smile my way. “Your husband is the absolute sweetest. I promise, you’re going to love everything we discussed today. Oh! I’m Anna, by the way.” She crosses the room and offers a perfectly manicured hand. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
My brain stumbles over one word.
Husband.
When I open my mouth to correct her, River beats me to it with a wink. “That’s what I keep telling my wife.”
Anna gathers up her samples and waves on her way out. “I’ll be back in a few days to start working on the space. I can’t wait for you to see the final result.”
I stare at River as her heels echo down the hallway. “You hired someone to decorate your guestroom?”
“No, I hired someone to decorate Nora’s room,” he corrects. “I figured she deserved a space that felt like her own. Something fun and pretty.”