Abby Karl hangs up with one final request. “Be ready in a few hours.” I can’t help but feel a sense of relief at the thought of getting out of here, and at the same time, I can’t deny that I’m excited to see him. My heart races as I pack a small bag with enough clothes and essentials
“Thanks for picking me up, Marcus,” I finally say, breaking the silence. He glances at me with a small smile. “No problem, Abby. Karl wanted to make sure you’re safe.” I nod, appreciating Karl’s concern. “I know. I just... I never thought I’d wind up in a situation like this. It feels weird.
Abby I step out of Marcus’ car and take a moment to take in the mansion that stands in front of me. I still can’t believe that I used to call this place home. Hell, I designed almost all of it myself; the gardens, the fountain on the front walkway, the color of the shutters. They’re a soft s
My eyes widen in surprise. “Dancing at a party doesn’t mean we’re back together,” I clarify. “It was just a dance, Alice.” The housekeeper gives me a knowing look. “Of course, dear. I understand,” she says in that tone of voice that tells me that she doesn’t particularly believe me. “But you mus
Abby I’m standing in my old bedroom, surrounded by the furniture that I used to call my own, when there’s a knock on the door. Karl’s voice comes through a moment later before I can even get up. “Abby?” I jump to my feet and start smoothing down my hair for reasons that I can’t even begi
Flopping down on the bed, I stare up at the ceiling with my arms splayed out, feeling a mix of emotions wash over me. It’s not only strange being back in the place that I used to call home, but it’s also a strange feeling to be here right now. In a way, it feels awfully like how things used to b
Abby I sink into the warm, fragrant bath, the spa items Karl left for me creating a soothing oasis in the spacious bathroom. As I relax into the water, I let out a contented sigh. It’s been a while since I’ve had a moment like this, away from the constant buzz of the city. Already, my body f
With my coffee in hand, I decide to do a bit of shopping. I step into a nearby clothing boutique that I haven’t seen before and begin flipping through the racks, pulling out various items and holding them up to myself in the mirror. “That’s a nice color,” a familiar voice says as I’m holding up
Abby Intrigued, I let Karl take my hand and lead me discreetly away from the reception, weaving through the tables and out a back door into the gardens. A mischievous grin plays on his lips as we giggle like teenagers, ducking behind hedges and scurrying across the lush green lawns. “Where are w
As the music shifts to a slow ballad, I feel a familiar pair of strong arms circle my waist from behind. “There’s my beautiful wife,” Karl’s deep voice rumbles in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He spins me around to face him, our bodies swaying in time to the soft music. I gaze up at him
Abby The reception hall is cast in a warm, romantic glow, with twinkling lights and the warm flickering of candles on every table. Soft music plays as Karl and I make our entrance, hand-in-hand to raucous applause and cheers from our guests. I can’t stop smiling as we wave to our loved ones gather
Abby The afternoon sun streaming in through the tall windows of the chapel casts the stones in a warm golden light, giving everything a sort of ethereal energy. I stand in the hallway, my arm linked with Anton’s, as the wedding coordinator prepares everyone to walk down the aisle. “Are you ready
Abby As I sit in front of the vanity mirror with the hair and makeup artist circling around me, I meet my friends’ gazes in the reflection; Chloe, Leah, Daisy, and even Elsie are here as my bridesmaids, each of them looking more beautiful than the last. “The seamstress really did do a great job
Abby With a gasp of excitement, I pull the wedding gown out of its box and hold it up in the light. Everything is perfect; the way the beadwork catches the light, the silky texture, the shape. I can’t wait to try it on now that it’s been altered to fit my body. Quickly, I slip out of my clothe
Abby “Abby, why don’t you sit down?” Karl looks up at me from where he’s sitting on the sofa, a look of concern on his face. He pats the spot next to him, but I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say, continuing to pace back and forth in our living room. “I won’t sit down until I hear back about that
Abby As I chop, stir, melt, and saute, the others stand around me, watching intently. The pasta simmers on the stove, the air smelling like warm butter and spices. It’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But my focus isn’t on the rumbling in my belly, nor is it even on the lingering pain in my
As we continue searching, I keep thinking back on our last harrowing hunt for black truffles; those poachers nearly shot us. Even now, I can still remember the sound of the bullets whizzing past my head, and the thuds they made when they careened into trees. “We got really lucky,” I say. “If we ha