TULA
Tula woke to the strange sensation of sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows and having the entire bed to herself.
It felt luxurious but also empty.
She lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling and trying to orient herself. This was her house. Her bedroom. Her new life.
Without Tony. Well, without Tony in her bed. He was sleeping in the other bedroom, and if she was lucky, he was making breakfast, although no appetizing scents reached her nose, which was a shame because she was hungry.
She pushed herself out of bed and padded to the bathroom, splashing water on her face and staring at her reflection. Her hair was a mess, but she looked rested after sleeping for Fates knew how long.
It felt like at least twelve hours.
Not that she'd fallen asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. That never happened lately. Her head was too full of swirlingthoughts to be able to drift off quickly. She'd gotten in bed early, but Tony's hurt expression kept popping up behind her eyelids every time she closed her eyes.
After brushing her teeth and getting dressed in one of the maternity outfits Amanda had gotten for her, a pair of black stretchy pants, and a purple long-sleeved shirt, Tula went to check on Tony.
His bedroom door was open, the bed was made, corners tucked in, and pillows arranged neatly. Not slept in. Or if it had been, he'd taken care to erase all evidence of his presence.
Dread pooled in her gut as she crossed to the closet and pulled it open.
Empty.
All the clothes Amanda had gotten for him, the jeans, the shirts, the jacket, all gone. The hangers swayed from the movement of the door.
"Tony?" she called out, even though it was clear that he'd left.
She walked into the kitchen, some part of her still hoping to find him making breakfast. Instead, she found a note on the counter, written in Tony's neat handwriting.
Tula,
I couldn't do it. I know we talked about taking things slow, about giving each other space, but I realized last night that I can't live in the same house as you while pretending we're just roommates. It would be too painful.
After you fell asleep, I went for a walk. Ended up at the café around midnight. Kaia was there buying coffee from the vending machine. We talked.
I told her about our situation. She offered to let me stay in her and William's spare bedroom until I figure things out. She assured me that William wouldn't mind and that they'd be happy to have me.
I thought about taking the spare room at Raviki and Rolenna's place instead, but I realized I needed a break from everything connected to the harem. A fresh start that won't keep reminding me of you. Not that it's possible since we are having a baby, and I intend to be there for him or her every step of the way, but until then, I need some breathing room to get my bearings.
I wish you the best in finding your truelove mate, and I mean that sincerely. You deserve to be happy, and so do I.
I'm always available if you need anything. Doctor's appointments, and anything that has to do with the baby, whatever you need—I intend to be a good father even if we're not together.
Take care of yourself.
- Tony
Tula read the note twice, then a third time, and felt tears streaming down her face.
She wasn't sure why she was crying. This was what she wanted, wasn't it?
For Tony to move out, to give them both space, to stop pretending they were something they weren't?
But it hurt having it happen so quickly, so definitively, without even a chance to say goodbye properly. Not that goodbyes were really necessary in a small village where she was bound to bump into Tony whether she wanted to or not.
But still, he could have told her he was leaving.
She sank onto one of the barstools, his note clutched in her hand and cried some more.
