All Chapters of ONE More Time to make it right: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

"Are you sure about this, Alice?" Emma asked, her voice echoing in the empty apartment as she struggled with a heavy box.Alice paused, looking around the bare living room. It was small, nothing like the grand rooms of the MacPherson mansion. The paint was peeling in one corner, and she could hear the neighbors arguing through the thin walls. But it was hers. A new start. "I'm sure, Em," she said, trying to sound confident. "I need to do this. For me and for the baby."Emma set down the box with a thud. "I still can't believe that rich jerk just dumped you like that. Who does he think he is?"Alice felt a familiar surge of anger and hurt. "He's Carson MacPherson," she said bitterly. "He can do whatever he wants, apparently."The sisters worked in silence for a while, unpacking Alice's meager belongings. The apartment was in a decent part of Manchester, not too far from where their mom lived. It wasn't London, but that was the point. Alice needed to get away from everything - and every

"Carson, darling, are you listening to me?" Margaret's voice cut through Carson's thoughts like a knife.Carson blinked, forcing himself to focus on his fiancée. They were sitting in the MacPherson mansion's grand dining room, surrounded by wedding samples and catalogues. "Sorry, what were you saying?"Margaret frowned, her perfectly manicured nails tapping on the table. "I was asking if you preferred the ivory or the eggshell napkins for the reception."Carson stared at the two nearly identical pieces of fabric. He couldn't see any difference, and honestly, he couldn't bring himself to care. "Whichever you think is best," he said, trying to sound interested.Margaret beamed, clearly pleased to have the decision left to her. "I think the ivory. It'll match the tablecloths better."As Margaret chattered on about table settings and flower arrangements, Carson's mind wandered again. He couldn't stop thinking about Alice. Where was she now? Was she okay? How was the baby?"Carson!" Margar

"I'm sorry, but we're looking for someone who can commit long-term," the manager said, his eyes flicking to Alice's obvious baby bump.Alice felt her heart sink. This was the third job interview this week, and it had ended just like the others. She forced a smile. "I understand. Thank you for your time."As she walked out of the small bookshop, Alice blinked back tears. She'd thought this job would be perfect - part-time hours, a quiet environment. But apparently, being pregnant made her unemployable.Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Emma. "Hey, sis! How'd the interview go?"Alice sighed, sitting down on a nearby bench. "Same as the others. They took one look at my belly and suddenly the position was filled.""Oh, Alice," Emma said, her voice full of sympathy. "I'm so sorry. Want me to come over? We could watch a movie, eat some ice cream?"Alice smiled despite herself. "Thanks, Em. But I think I just want to be alone for a bit."After hanging up, Alice sat on the bench for a wh

"Ouch!" she yelped, clutching her stomach. "What was that?"She'd been having little pains all day, but this was different. Stronger. Scarier.Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Alice? You in there?" It was her brother Mike's voice."Come in!" Alice called out, trying to keep the panic out of her voice.Mike walked in, grinning. "Hey, sis! I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd... whoa, are you okay?"Alice tried to smile, but another pain hit her, making her wince. "I think... I think the baby's coming."Mike's eyes went wide. "What? Now? Are you sure?"Alice nodded, suddenly feeling very scared. "Pretty sure. Mike, I don't know what to do. It's too early. I'm not ready!"Mike took a deep breath, visibly trying to stay calm. "Okay, okay. Let's not panic. We need to get you to the hospital."He helped Alice to her feet, grabbing her pre-packed hospital bag from beside the door. "Can you walk to the car?"Alice nodded, taking small steps. "I think so. Just... slowly."The dr

Alice wiped the spit-up from Charlie's chin, smiling despite her tiredness. "There you go, little man. All clean."Charlie gurgled happily, waving his tiny fists. At three months old, he was becoming more active every day.Alice's phone buzzed. It was a message from her new client, the bakery owner. "Great job on the quarterly report! Can we meet next week to discuss?"A warm feeling of pride spread through Alice's chest. She was doing it. She was building a life for herself and Charlie.As she typed out a reply, Alice's mind wandered. She wondered what Carson was doing right now...---Carson stood in front of the mirror, tugging at his tie. Two days. Just two more days until the wedding."You look handsome, darling," Margaret said, coming up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder.Carson forced a smile. "Thanks. You excited for the big day?"Margaret beamed. "Of course! It's going to be perfect. Everything's ready - the venue, the flowers