I turned and walked to the foyer, picking up my bag.
“I'm getting married next week.”
Owen's head snapped up. He stared at me, unblinking.
“What did you just say?”
“I said I'm getting married next week.”
I looked straight at him and said every word with perfect clarity.
Owen froze for a few seconds, then burst out laughing.
“Roberta, you'd really make up something this ridiculous just to get under my skin?”
“Married? To who? That guy from college you turned down a hundred times? Jayden Henson?”
His face was pure mockery as he looked at me.
“You think marrying some random guy is going to make me regret anything?”
“Grow up.”
I walked out the door without looking back.
“I'm not playing games. Believe what you want.”
Early the next morning, my best friend Janet Fox showed up at the apartment with a crew of movers.
The second she saw how pale I was, her eyes went red.
“Bobbie, you……”
She walked over and wrapped her arms around me, gentle, like I might break.
“I'm fine.”
I patted her back and forced a smile.
“Everything's packed. Let them get started.”
“Where's that piece of trash?” Janet asked through clenched teeth, shoving my clothes into a suitcase.
“Still at the hospital keeping his precious little 'friend' company.” My voice was flat.
Janet slammed the hanger in her hand onto the floor.
“Are you kidding me? Is he even human?”
“You just had a miscarriage, and he's……”
She didn't finish. A low male voice at the doorway cut her off.
“Which car should I load these into?”
I looked up and saw Jayden Henson standing in the doorway in a simple white button-down.
“Jayden?”
Janet blinked, then it clicked.
“The black SUV. Thanks.”
Jayden nodded and came inside to help the movers carry boxes.
When nearly everything was loaded, he walked over to me and held out a cup of warm ginger tea.
“Drink something warm. You don't look good.”
“Thank you.”
I took the cup. My fingertips brushed his warm palm, and a small shiver ran through me.
“I already booked your follow-up appointment. Tomorrow at ten. I'll pick you up.”
He looked at me, his gaze steady and intent.
“Okay.”
I nodded.
Just then, the phone on the coffee table rang.
Owen's name flashed across the screen.
I didn't answer. I let it ring.
Jayden glanced at the phone, then back at me.
“Want me to answer it for you?”
“No.”
I picked up the phone and hit decline.
But Owen called right back.
I frowned and pressed accept.
“Roberta, what the hell are you doing?”
Owen's voice came through the speaker, seething.
“The realtor just called me. You're selling the apartment?”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“I said I'm selling it, so I'm selling it.”
My voice was calm.
“I already signed the paperwork. All you need to do is come in and sign yours.”
“I'm not signing a damn thing!”
Owen shouted on the other end.
“Roberta, don't push me!”
“All I did was spend a few extra days with Rosie. Is that really worth tearing apart our home?”
“That was your home. Not mine.”
I was about to hang up.
The line went quiet for a moment.
Then Owen's voice dropped, turning cold.
“Is there a man with you?”
“Roberta, don't tell me what you said yesterday about getting married was real.”
There was a thread of panic in his voice he didn't even seem to notice.
“It's real.”
I watched Jayden's back as he carried boxes toward the door. My voice didn't waver.
“Owen, don't call me again.”
“You disgust me.”
I hung up, then blocked his number.
Janet walked over and looked at me.
“You sure about this?”
“Yeah.”
I looked around the apartment I'd lived in for three years.
Then I looked at Jayden, standing in the doorway, waiting for me.
“Next week. Come with me to get the marriage license.”
