Becca.A week had passed since my grieving had begun. The moment that I had lost Tally, I thought the pain couldn't get worse, but later on, when I found out that I had also lost James, I completely shattered. Everything I once imagined was slowly fading away, and even though I had Neal by my side, I couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before I lost him.Staring at myself in the mirror, I contemplated how I would get through the day. The black dress that I wore hugged my figure, showing off my protruding bump. It reminded me of James, and with the black veil covering my red-rimmed eyes I tried to hide my emotions.To think that this was my life was not what I had expectedI still couldn't imagine the fact of James being gone. Yet, the reality didn't have to set in entirely in order for me to succumb to it. "I'll be strong for you," I whispered to myself as I rubbed a slow circle over my stomach. My child was my driving force to press forward.I was a hollow sh
James.What do you do when everything you have ever known has been taken from you?Do you shut yourself away, and pretend not to care? Is there a place that you can go mentally to help heal the internal heartache that makes you feel like you're on the verge of death? So many times I had watched others around me suffer, but never was able to understand the suffering because I had never been part of it. At least until now."Are you ready to go?" Greg called out from the open hospital room. The private room in one of their facilities had given me the time to heal while the rest of the world thought I was dead."Yeah," I replied as I shoved the last of my things into a duffel bag.Two weeks ago my daughter died, and from what Greg and the rest of his department told the world… I had died too. I wasn't going to have to go to jail due to everything that happened, but I wasn't going to have to go into protection. The way that Greg broke it down to me was that staying part o
Becca.When I arrived at James' company, I was on the verge of having an anxiety attack. Neal had been waiting for me outside the building, and as much as I wanted to find that happy moment, I didn't.Simply because I knew what was coming. "So the guy is willing to buy it from you without issues. He is an investor from Italy and actually knew James personally. He has importing and exporting businesses all over the world," Neal informed me as I stood in the elevator with him, watching the floors tick by."Okay." My shallow reply seemed to cause him to stop in his words as he gently grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to look at him."Hey, if you're not ready for this—""It's okay," I quickly said, cutting him off. "It needs to be done, and I have to get through this. Afterward, I want to talk to you and Allegra about going somewhere.""Oh?" He smiled. "Where might that be?"Rolling my eyes with a soft smile, I shook my head at the same moment the doors of the elevator o
Becca.When I left James's office, millions of thoughts ran through my head about what was going to happen. But one thing was for sure, I needed to take my father's advice and change scenery. For too long, I had struggled and fought with everything that was going on, my emotions completely messed up and everything else in my life going a little haywire.I had to get myself together. I had to put my big girl panties on and take initiative for what was going on in my life. And I had to do it soon because before I knew it, a child would be born, and I would be responsible for that child.The soft knock at the front door let me know that Neal and Allegra had arrived, and as the door opened, I turned, looking over my shoulder to see their smiling faces enter through the doorway. "Hey, guys. I'm glad to see you could make it.""Well, of course, we would make it silly." Allegra laughed as she took off her coat and hung it on a nearby hook. Fluffing her blonde hair out, she stepped
James.The moment that my plane landed in Tokyo, Japan, I found my mind swirling with the differences of how their lives were in Japan compared to that in the states. The only way that I could actually describe them was as if they were ants meandering through a colony. Quick to know exactly where they were going and unable to be distracted.It was fascinating, and I found the city breathtaking.Moving forward from the airport, I headed towards the car pickup lanes and quickly saw a driver holding a sign with my name on it. The driver was to take me to my new location, a home that had been secured for me, along with various other things, my new life for the foreseeable future.My new life as Lester Johnson.Just saying that need made me internally groan. Out of all the names that he could have picked in the world, that was the one he had settled for.That was the name that he thought would benefit me the most.Stepping towards the driver I sighed pushing a smile on my f
Becca.After tons of planning and purchasing tickets, I found myself standing in the bedroom packing my suitcases, going through everything that I was going to need while we were away in New Zealand. Initially, when I told Neal and Allegra about what I wanted to do, I was almost certain that they would disagree. Yet again, they surprised me, as they always did, and agreed that the trip would be a wonderful idea. Of course, considering the fact that the doctor had cleared me for travel, that is.Slowly going through all the clothing I had placed on top of the bed, I packed it into the suitcase with careful precision and then proceeded to grab all of my toiletries that were in their individual bags and place them in as well.It wasn't until I had placed some documents that I needed just in case something were to happen over there that the small letter that Mr. Shavers had given me that had been left by James fell out onto the floor.With how hectic everything had been o
Neal.The moment that the plane finally landed in New Zealand, I couldn't help but give a very large sigh of relief. Never in my life had it felt like I was on a plan for so long, and I had been to Australia before. Even though those flights were just as long, there was something about this flight that was just exhausting.Perhaps it was the fact that sweet Becca decided that we would ride first class like regular people all the way to New Zealand.I could have gotten us on a better plane—a more private plane even. But no, she wanted to have an adventure. Not that I was complaining, but my sister sure as hell was, and her complaining made Becca laugh."Did you see the way that guy looked at me? It was as if I was at a buffet, and he wanted something all you can eat." Allegra's disgusted tone caused both Becca and I to snort with laughter."Oh my God. It wasn't even like that, and you know it."Allegra turned to Becca with a glare on her face as she used the fan in her h
Becca.As soon as I stepped outside with the lovely Miss Rogers, the lady who owned the cabana that I had rented, I noticed how Neal seemed very frustrated with whatever kind of conversation that he was having. I wasn't sure what was going on. Perhaps it was work, perhaps it was something else. As soon as his eyes landed on me, he quickly finished his conversation. I found it curious how he was acting, but as he slowly made his way towards me, this frown that was upon his face once before disappeared and was replaced with a smile."So, how do you like everything?" he asked me as he approached."It's beautiful. Miss Rogers has been absolutely wonderful. She showed me everything that the house has to offer, and she's hoping that we have a wonderful two weeks' vacation," I replied as my eyes drifted from Neal to the woman again.Her soft, pale blue eyes crinkled at the corners as she turned her small smile into one that was larger, her hands clasped in front of her as she