Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164533 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 823(@200wpm)___ 658(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
I also found a therapist who I really clicked with and was attending monthly sessions. I laid out the entire story of my marriage, as well as what had happened between Rhys and me from our teenage years through to the present. She agreed it was a good decision to focus on finding my feet on my own, but she also wasn’t totally on board with me closing myself off to a possible romantic relationship in the future.
In the end, neither Rhys nor I had to report Stephanie for her rumour spreading. Several people witnessed the scene outside my office and word got back to HR. Stephanie was given an official warning but was ultimately allowed to remain in her position. Strangely, I was glad for that. I didn’t want to be involved in anyone losing their job even if her behaviour was horrible.
Then, two months later, Maeve informed me Stephanie had gotten a new, better paying position at some top PR firm and would be leaving the hotel. Her departure could’ve been due to shame over her behaviour or simple self-preservation. Still, I didn’t hold any ill will towards her. As I’d said, I knew how hard it was to get over Rhys.
Though my letter to Melanie and Kevin was well received, and they’d been prepared to wait for me to put in an offer on their house, I decided against it in the end. That house would’ve been perfect for me, but it felt cruel to start living next door to Rhys after how I’d used him for sex then promptly dropped him. I’d developed feelings for him during those few weeks, feelings that were even more intense once sex was added to the equation, but I still harboured guilt over the whole thing. I’d taken advantage of him, and it had been selfish.
Instead, I went back to my plan to rent and found a one-bedroom apartment not too far from the hotel. It was an adjustment living in such a small space, but I put some work into decorating and turning it into a haven all my own. I even bought some shelves from a nearby furniture store, and my Lladró collection was proudly displayed on them. Once I finished laying everything out, I snapped a picture and texted it to Rhys.
Me: They’re back with their rightful owner, and it’s all thanks to you <3
His reply came a few minutes later.
Rhys: Looks great. Glad you can enjoy them again. x.
After the move, I started meeting with Jo and my other aunt, Julia, regularly for coffee and catch ups. They both assisted me in adopting my very first pet, a three-year-old Maine coon named Bobby. Since I still hadn’t gotten a car, Julia drove me to Waterford where I was to collect him from an animal shelter. It took a while for him to get used to his new surroundings, but he soon became content with the corner I set up for him, complete with a cushioned bed and cosy blankets. I adored sinking my fingers into his thick grey fur and hearing his rumbly purrs of contentment.
More months went by.
It was late summer, and I was finishing up my last day at the office before Nuala, Maggie, and I were due to fly out to Minorca. I was full of excitement and couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so pumped for a simple vacation in the sun.
I was busy running some numbers at my desk when someone rapped their knuckles on the door. Glancing up, I found Rhys standing there, and just like always, my heart skipped a beat in his presence.
“Charli,” he said, his expression grave. “A word.”
His tone made me worry something bad had happened, and Maeve and Barry cast me curious glances as I went out to join him. Rhys waited a little way down the hall, then motioned for me to follow him to his office. Once there, he closed the door, and I took a seat by his desk.
“What is it? Is everything okay?”
He ran a hand over the faint five o’clock shadow on his jaw before his eyes found mine. “I’m not sure how to say this,” he started, and my stomach twisted, fearing bad news.
“Okay, well,” I folded my arms and braced. “Just tell me then.”
Rhys exhaled. “Jesse was found dead yesterday.”
My hands went to my face in shock as my pulse raced, and my mind tried to comprehend the news Rhys had just shared. The last few months, I’d tried to put Jesse’s arrest out of my mind and focus on myself. My independence. But I had a few weak moments where I’d asked Rhys for information. What he’d revealed hadn’t surprised me, not since Jesse was a lawyer and knew all the ways to delay going to trial, which he’d been fully utilizing. He’d also been granted bail, so he hadn’t been rotting away in a jail cell like I’d hoped, but …