Chapter 26 \u2013 A Few More Days\u00a0<\/p>\n
SERA\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d I asked quietly. \u201cAfter everything you\u2019ve put me through, after the humiliation and the pain and the way you\u2019ve made me feel invisible in my own family, why are you fighting this? Why won\u2019t you just let me go?\u201d I hated how my voice shook, how obvious it was that I was holding back tears.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was quiet for a long moment, just looking at me with those intense green eyes that had once made my heart race. Now they just made me tired.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I care about you,\u201d he said finally. \u201cI care about you more than I\u2019ve ever cared about anyone except Luna. I care about our marriage, about our family, about the life we\u2019ve built together.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was quiet for a moment, like he was gathering courage for what he was about to say.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI meant what I said about New York,\u201d he said finally. \u201cI want to move there. With you and Luna,\u201d He admitted with an honesty I hadn\u2019t heard from him in a long time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a slow breath, studying his face. \u201cYou\u2019re serious.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCompletely serious. I\u2019ve been thinking about it all day, and it makes sense. You\u2019re happy there, you have work you care about, friends who support you. Luna could start elementary school there, make new friends, have new adventures,\u201d He took my hand in his, \u201cWe can live together like we used to.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The picture he was painting started to take shape in my mind despite my resistance. Luna in a New York elementary school, maybe one of those progressive ones with art programs and music classes. Weekend trips to museums and Broadway shows. A life that was ours, not shadowed by his family\u2019s expectations or Vivienne\u2019s\u00a0<\/p>\n
presence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI could open a branch office there,\u201d Darius continued, his voice getting stronger as he spoke. \u201cLike I said, I can handle our East Coast operations directly instead of managing them from here. It would actually be good for business.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He reached for my face, cupping my chin in his palm and I let him, I leaned into the warmth of his touch, unable to help myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d really do that?\u201d I asked. \u201cGive up everything here just so we can live together?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor our family? Yes. Without hesitation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The words hit me harder than I expected. This was the first time in our entire marriage that Darius was willing to change his plans for me. The first time he was putting what I needed ahead of what was convenient or expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about Luna\u2019s school here? Her friends?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s four, Sera. She\u2019ll adapt faster than we will. And she\u2019ll still see her grandmother during holidays and\u00a0<\/p>\n
summers.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
It sounded perfect. Too perfect.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what about Vivienne?\u201d I asked quietly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 20 A Few More Days\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
The light in his eyes dimmed slightly, and his hands dropped from my face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about her?\u201d He asked back and my felt that familiar ache in my chest when I saw the changed look in his\u00a0<\/p>\n
eyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t play dumb, Darius. If we move to New York, what happens with your dying ex\u2013girlfriend who needs you so desperately?\u201d I didn\u2019t mean for the words to come out as harshly as they did but, I didn\u2019t regret it either.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was quiet for a long moment, and I could see him choosing his words carefully.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s between her and me,\u201d he said finally. \u201cI\u2019ll help her as a friend, make sure she has the support she needs for her treatment. But I\u2019ll also take care of my family. I\u2019ll find a balance between the two.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA balance\u2026\u201d The word tasted bitter in my mouth. We would never be his only choice, I can never be his only\u00a0<\/p>\n
choice because of Vivienne.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be different in New York. We\u2019ll be starting fresh, building something new together. And I\u2019ll be more careful about boundaries, about making sure you know that you and Luna come first.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wanted to believe him. God, how much I wanted to believe him. But the rational part of my mind was screaming warnings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do I know you won\u2019t just find excuses to fly back here every time she calls? How do I know this isn\u2019t just another way for you to have both of us?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I\u2019m telling you it isn\u2019t.\u201d His voice was steady, sure. \u201cBecause I care too much about our marriage to let it fall apart due to my foolishness, Sera,\u201d He sighed, \u201cI need you to know that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I studied his face, looking for lies, for the tell\u2013tale signs that he was just saying what I wanted to hear. But all I saw was exhaustion and something that looked like genuine hope.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if I can trust you,\u201d I whispered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen let me earn it back. Let me show you that our family comes first. That you come first.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The words hung between us, fragile and precious. Part of me wanted to grab onto them, to let myself hope that maybe we could find our way back to each other. But another part of me, the part that had been hurt too many times, wanted to run before I could be disappointed again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to think,\u201d I said finally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course. Take all the time you need.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was supposed to fly back to New York tomorrow morning.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStay,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cJust for a few more days. Let\u2019s try to work this out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at him standing there in our living room, his hair messy and his eyes pleading, and felt something shift in my chest. Maybe it was hope, or maybe it was just exhaustion from fighting for so long.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to make a phone call,\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Relief flooded his features. \u201cJohnson?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 26 A Few More Days\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded and pulled out my phone. Johnson answered on the second ring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSera? How did it go? Do you need me to pick you up from the airport tomorrow?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cActually,\u201d I said, glancing at Darius, \u201cI\u2019m going to stay a few more days. We\u2019re\u2026 we\u2019re going to try to work some things out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you sure that\u2019s a good idea?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. But I think I have to try.\u2018\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was a pause, and I could practically hear Johnson weighing his words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if you\u2019re staying longer, I have some news that might interest you. A fairly well\u2013known pianist reached out about potentially collaborating with you. Someone who heard your work at the charity auction and was impressed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart skipped. \u201cReally?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cReally. I can set up an introduction when you get back, if you\u2019re interested.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I said without hesitation. \u201cYes, I\u2019m very interested.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGood. Take care of yourself, Sera. And call me if you need anything.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI will. Thank you, Johnson.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hung up and looked at Darius, who was watching me with cautious hope.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGood news?\u201d he asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe\u2026\u201d I cleared my throat, \u201cFor my boss, that is\u2026\u201d I quipped. I\u2019d almost let it slip that I had a potential collaboration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t let him know just yet, not when I\u2019m still so uncertain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s wonderful,\u201d He replied, the look in his eyes so intense that my cheeks felt warm and I had to look away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo,\u201d I said. \u201cA few more days.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA few more days,\u201d he agreed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
Souls Remember What Matters \u2014 Corey Gibson 26 Chapter 26 \u2013 A Few More Days\u00a0 SERA\u00a0 +25 Bonus\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-day-i-signed-the-papers-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23472"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23472\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}