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CHAPTER 45: THE DRUNKEN HUSBAND

Author: Natalie Roche
last update Last Updated: 2023-02-08 05:29:04

VANESSA

It felt weird — waking up beside someone else after months of waking up alone. For a while it was Jeremy, I told myself that after him I wouldn't allow anyone to get that close to me again. But this was unavoidable really.

I had no money for a hotel and I didn't want to ask my friends. Natasha and Ollie are living together all loved up, which is cute but I don't want to witness it 24/7. Alex lives in a studio apartment that's too small to even stretch your legs in. I'd rather pass on that.

Colin asked me to stay, which is actually better so I can keep an eye on my apartment. It's two days in and my landlord has yet to get someone in to replace my door.

My skin prickled with goosebumps as Colin's finger moved down the centre of my back. That little feeling of excitement had me biting my bottom lip. It was just another day in my shitty little life.

"Are you awake?"He asked and I turned my head around and looked at him. The sheet was at Colin's waist and he was topless with his
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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 46: THE RING

    VANESSAI stood in the kitchen watching him from afar, keeping my distance and mulling my thoughts about him being here. Is this a mistake? I didn't really have a choice in the matter. Colin was decent enough to allow Jeremy to sleep on his couch for the night, not that Jeremy was sober enough to even realise it. I wanted to call Sebastian to come pick him up and bring him back home, but Jeremy's phone was totally dead and I didn't have the number.Now he's here... and it's completely awkward. I'm awkward -- me and Colin together are awkward. I'm sure things are going to get a lot worse when Jeremy is conscious. Colin walked out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen area."I brought him a blanket in case he gets cold.""Thank you."I took the blanket from him and folded it neatly."Thank you for doing this, you didn't have to. I just didn't know who else to call.""Well you needed me, I couldn't say no. What about his parents, why didn't you call them for help?"He asked. "I couldn't

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 47: A LITTLE SPACE

    VANESSAI poured hot water into mixed matched cups for coffee and tea. My hands were trembling, but I wasn't sure if it was because of what happened with Jeremy thirty minutes ago or because of our unexpected guest. I wasn't expecting this — nor was I ready for it. Today has been a weird one and it has yet to hit 3 pm. Why is my life so screwed up? I feel like the only choice I've ever had in my control was leaving Jeremy. Everything else just spirals. Colin joined me in the kitchen"I'm so sorry about this. I didn't know that she was coming over."He whispered so he wasn't overheard. "It's okay — I don't mind."I mustered a smile. Mustered because I don't know exactly how I felt about this yet. I didn't expect to come back to find a guest."Do you want to help me bring these over?""Yeah sure."He picked up the tray of coffee cups to carry to the living area."By the way, my mother can be a little much sometimes. I'll make it up to you later."Colin winked at me and walked away. That's

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 48: THE BIG MOVE

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 49: HEARTBREAK

    VANESSAI ordered my iced double shot coffee to go at the Starbucks around the corner from my new apartment. I needed the boost today more than ever. Three hours from now I will be standing in front of a judge about to get divorced from Jeremy Austin. My emotions were all over the place. Divorce — finally this day is here. But I wasn't feeling how I imagined I would. Marriage is such a big commitment and perhaps I took it too lightly back then. Maybe I should've said No to Tom's offer. I would've found a way in the end, wouldn't I?That being said, my brothers' education was on the line. I didn't want him to miss out on the opportunity of being something great, or having a bright future, despite the trauma that we have been through in our lives.His happiness is the most important thing to me. He's the only family that I have left. I walked out of the coffee shop sipping from my plastic cup when I looked up and saw him walking across the road. I froze on the spot not knowing what t

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 50: THE MAN WITH NO HEART

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 51: KNOCK KNOCK

    VANESSA I opened the door to Tom's hospital room and he perked up when he saw me. I've given it a couple of days before coming to see him so he could get the rest that he needed. I also wanted to avoid the Jeremy talk, I'm guessing there will be a lot of that. "How is the patient?"I asked with a smile as I walked toward his bed. Surprisingly he looks a lot better than he did the last time I saw him at the restaurant. "The patient is becoming bored sitting in this bed for days."He chuckled and pressed a kiss to my cheek as I hugged him."I'm doing well. How are you, Darling?""Good, I've just been worried about you.""You don't need to worry."He reassured."I'm not dead yet."He chuckled in amusement and looked down at the gift bag in my hands."I hope you have chocolates and some scotch in there for me."I chuckled."I'm afraid not. I know Ava has you on a strict diet from now on. I'm on her side here."I set the bag on the bed beside him."There's lots of fruit and I brought you a book t

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 52: THE LIFE THAT COULD'VE BEEN

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 53: JUST SMILE AND BE NICE

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 83: THE WOOD

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 81: GIVING UP

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  • The Austin Arrangement    CHAPTER 80: THE CABIN IN THE WOODS

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