“Butthis,”I pointed at the papers he held in his hand. “This was entertaining.”
I watched as Anderson’s empty eyes filled with dread as he read over the texts he had sent back and forth with Markus. John had spent the past few days digging up anything and everything he could on Anderson after my arrest. He had found more than enough to get him in some hot water. These texts were proof of him framing me, which would land him a decent amount of time in prison. I knew it. And the way he looked at me now, heknewit too.
“If youevermeddle in my affairs again. If youevercome near me. Or Sadie. Or anyone I know, I will take this to the police.And the dance you and I have been doing all these years will have its finale in court.” I leaned forward and narrowed my gaze. “I’m telling you right now, it won’t end well for you.”
He lifted his chin, feigning the pride that was dissipating before my eyes.
“I don’t know about you, but I’d rather move on,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “I suggest you stop trying to destroy me before it destroys you.”
He stayed quiet as his eyes ran over the papers again and back to me. We were in a stalemate. There was nowhere to go.
“Get the hell out of my office,” he said, his voice low.
I nodded and stood from my chair. “You can go ahead and keep all that. As a reminder of what I can do to you. I have several copies anyway.” I turned and went for the door, opening it and walking out without looking back at the shell of a man I had just left.
Walking out of the building, I felt the heaviness I had carried all these years lift from my shoulders. I looked up at the stone building, as cold as the man inside, and said an internal good riddance. I knew I would never have to see that scum again. I smiled to myself. That chapter of my life was over, and a new one was just beginning.
I slid into the backseat of my waiting town car and instructed my driver to go back to the apartment. I texted Sadie on the way. Aswe pulled up, she stood at the curb in a yellow floral sundress that complemented her fair skin. She smiled when she spotted me. I opened the door and grinned up at her.
“You ready to go see baby?” I asked excitedly, getting out of the car.
She looked at me and laughed. “Yes!” She took my hand and I helped her into the car, before sliding in after her. We gave the driver the address for the doctor’s office and settled into the backseat, my arm finding its way around her.
“Is it settled with Anderson?” she asked warily, looking up at me.
“He won’t bother us again.” I assured her.
She let out a long sigh and set her head on my shoulder. I kissed her auburn hair.
“Good,” she whispered.
Thirty minutes later, we were both staring in awe at the monitor. It was the first time I got to see our baby in person, and it had already grown so much since the last time Sadie came here. I teared up at the now pronounced arms and legs, but it wasn’t until I heard the heartbeat when the tears streamed down my cheeks. Sadie looked at me lovingly as she held my hand tightly, the sound ofthump, thump, thumpfilling the room. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.
On the way home, in my awe and excitement, I had the driver pull over at a baby boutique I spotted out the window. Sadie laughed and watched as I darted out the still-moving car and towards the boutique.
“What are you doing?” she called after me.
“You stay there. I’ll be right back,” I shouted behind me.
I entered the boutique and was warmly greeted by the cashier.
“Welcome! Do you need any help finding anything?” she asked.
“I think I’ll know it when I see it,” I answered with a smile.
She gave me a knowing smile before going back to her notes behind the small counter.
I wandered around the store, really taking it all in. It hadn’t hit me until today just how much life had changed. And for the better. I was free of Anderson. I had the woman of my dreams waiting in the car. We were going to have a baby soon. It was overwhelming.
I ran my fingers over a rack of baby clothes. Everything was so small. So delicate. Suddenly, my hand stopped on a small wooden hanger. I pulled it from the rack and looked at the pink tulle dress that hung from it. This was it. I smiled at it, feeling the tears coming again.
I knew now in my heart we were having a girl. We’d declined the tech’s offer to find out the sex, but I just knew.
The love I had for her grew right there as I walked the tiny dress up to the counter, picking up a pair of matching booties on the way.
“It looks like you found what you were looking for,” said the cashier, carefully taking both items from my hands.
“I did,” I said with a smile as I looked out the window to where Sadie waited.
