“That’s what I like to hear.” I could hear her smiling through the phone. “Your body’s had time to recover. Hormone levels are back to baseline. Everything looks great.”
I sat on the edge of my bed, my heart picking up speed.
“So,” Dr. Beaumont continued. “Ready for round two?”
I took a breath. Thought about the money I’d used to rebuild my life. About the car in the driveway and the zero balance on my credit card statement. About the texts from Amai that had become as routine as my morning coffee.
About the hope that had quietly taken root in my chest when I wasn’t looking.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’m ready.”
“Perfect.” Dr. Beaumont’s voice was steady, reassuring. “When the six weeks are up, we’ll try again. I’ll have my office call you to schedule the prep appointments.”
“Okay.”
“Truth?”
“Yeah?”
“This time is going to be different,” she said. “I can feel it.”
I wanted to believe her. Wanted to let myself hope without the fear of falling again.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
“See you soon.”
The line went dead.
I sat there for a long moment, phone in my hand, staring at the pile of unfolded laundry on my bed. My life looked different than it had six weeks ago. I had a car. I had savings. I had a plan. I had something that felt dangerously close to stability.
And I had Amai Landry checking on me like I mattered.
Like I was more than just a contract.
Like I was part of his life now, whether either of us had planned for it or not.
I picked up my phone and opened our text thread. Stared at his last message from this morning.You need anything?
I typed:Dr. Beaumont called. We’re doing the transfer again when the six weeks are up.
His response came almost immediately.
Good. I’ll be there.
I smiled.
Put the phone down.
And went back to folding laundry, feeling something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Hope.
Chapter 16
KAISEN
I’d been watching her for three weeks.
