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Page 129 of The Damaged Billionaire's Obsession

I shut down my computer at exactly five o’clock. I have zero desire to be here longer than the contract stipulates.

I can at least go home to Ma.

I thought I was making a mistake letting my mom back into my life. It turns out that it’s the smartest decision I ever made. I could never have predicted Ethan pulling the rug out from under me and can’t imagine if I was all alone here.

For one thing, I sure would have starved to skin and bone. And having my sleep cycle this messed up would surely have driven me up the wall.

With the pregnancy, I can’t seem to be able to handle more than the eight hours of work a day, and then, I’m napping until midnight, only to lie awake until morning. My mom has been a constant companion. Making meals, drawing baths, attending my appointments together.

It was nice to be able to introduce her to movies, and now, she’s like a child, absolutely hooked on them. And most of all, she holds me when I cry for Ethan. Which happens a lot. I’d thought she would disapprove of me getting pregnant out of wedlock, but now, I understand that none of those opinions she held were ever truly hers.

She told me that my father cut his “retreat” short after he didn’t hear from her for weeks, and he’s been spitting threats once he found out that she left him to be with her whoring daughter.

Twiggy’s just warming up to alert the media. We thought it best for the masters to return from their exotic vacations, so that when the news breaks, it’s easy for the authorities to pick them up if need be.

My friends are another matter entirely. After texting each of them about moving to Vancouver with my mom, at first, there was radio silence for a few hours. Then, the phone calls rolled in. First, they were outraged that I would do such a thing without telling them. I just couldn’t bring myself to tell them about Ethan and his model. Even though he hurt me so badly, I couldn’t bring myself to smear his reputation in front of my friends.

And finally, in the midst of it all, Ethan texts me after two weeks.

Ethan: You keep underestimating how much I want you.

The need in those eight words is palpable, and I almost start to doubt my own reality.

He was with that model. He’d been seeing her throughout the time we were together. Even before I started at Acercraft.

No, Ethan Hawthorne is toxic. He's deliberate with his words. He prioritizes saying he wants me over telling me he loves me because he knows that being wanted means infinitely more to me.

I’d quickly deleted the message before the words could embed themselves into my brain.

The cab stops at the high-rise building where my apartment is. Exhausted and heartsick, I drag myself out, already thinking of getting to the warm, scented bath Ma would no doubt have drawn for me.

I walk into our nineteenth floor apartment and call out, “Ma, I’m home!”

I see from the hallway that she’s talking to someone, which surprises me. We don’t know anyone here yet, except for doctors and my coworkers.

I move closer, and once I see who her guest is, my heart lurches to a stop, then starts to race.

Stella.

How is that even…

My mom comes toward me and gives me a quick hug. “Yer friend is…interestin’. I like her. I’ll be in the kitchen should ye need me.”

“Sure thing, Ma.”

While speaking to my mom, I notice Stella just leans back on the couch, not even bothering to stand. She’s watching—no, glaring at me.She’s pissed, but I don’t care, I’ve missed her so much.

Ma goes to the kitchen, and I rush over to Stella, beyond pleased to see any connection to my real life.

“Stella! It’s so good to see you. What are you doing here?”

She holds out her hand to ward me off. “What the fuck, Bonnie? I am so annoyed with you. I speak for the entire Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants when I say you fucked up. Big time.”

Oh, wow. Stella is more pissed off than I thought. I’ve never seen her so angry before.

“I-I—had to go to Ireland,” I explain.

“Yes, for your mom, I know,” she snaps. “Not that you bothered to tell us properly before you left. She’s lovely, by the way,” she grumbles.




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