The phone rang. And rang. And rang some more.
I was about to hang up when the call connected on what must have been the very last ring.
“Hi Sable, good morning.”
I nearly dropped my coffee mug. That was definitely not Scarlett’s voice answering her phone. The voice was deep, masculine, and heavy with sleep.
“You… you’re Peter?” I stammered, my brain struggling to process this development.
In the background, I could hear the unmistakable sound of bed sheets rustling and Scarlett’s muffled, irritated voice: “Peter, why the hell are you answering my phone?”
Before Peter could respond, there was a scuffling sound and then Scarlett’s voice came through clearly, though she was obviously talking to Peter, not me.
“Give me that! You can’t just answer people’s calls without asking!”
Peter’s voice drifted from farther away now, defensive and slightly whiny: “You were sleeping so peacefully. I didn’t want the ringing to wake you up, so I thought I’d just…”
Oh my God. They slept together.
My mind reeled as I tried to process this unexpected development. Scarlett and Peter? When had that happened? How had that happened?
“Hey, babe, Good morning Scarlett’s voice was suddenly warm and concerned as she spoke directly into the phone. “How are you feeling? You had way too much to drink last night. Do you have a headache?
I managed to find my voice. Tm… I’m okay. Just a little fuzzy around the edges. I paused, unable to contain my curiosity any longer. “Scarlett, what’s going on with you and Peter? Why is he there?”
There was a long silence on the other end of the line. I could practically hear Scarlett’s internal debate about how much to reveal.
“Um… well… how do I put this…” She sounded uncharacteristically flustered.
Than kay using changet, becoming sliment defunt. You know what? Screw it. We’re all adults here. I slept with Peter last night
Desgita erything I confide’s twig but longt ??gemine sound of margine and delight Scarlet That s wow Congratulations,
Thow got any as Scarlatt saut quirky, her tome defensive. anything dramaties that just sex. We’re trot suddenly boyfriend and girlfriend or
Patay’s unica rose indignantly in the background: Test sex? Are you kidding me? I gave you my virginity! That has to count for
You how to take responsibility for me now! his voice grew louder as he apparently moved closer to the phone. At the very least, you crabid try dating me and see how it goest
The sounds that followed were pure chaos – laughter, protesting voices, and what sounded like a full-scale pillow fight. I could hear them wrestling for control of the phone, Peters voice alternating between outrage and laughter.
“Sable, I have to gut Scarlett called out breathlessly. Ill call you later
The line went best
I sat there staring at my phone, a genuine smile tugging at my lips.
But the smile faded as I got dressed for work. I envied Scarlett’s ability to throw caution to the wind, to take what she wanted without overthinking every possible consequence. She’d always been braver than me, more willing to take risks with her heart.
Here I was, barely functional after one failed relationship, while she was out there embracing new possibilities with characteristic boldness,
Life is too short to waste on regrets.
The thought hit me with unexpected clarity. I was successful in my career, surrounded by people who cared about me. I couldn’t spend the rest of my life mourning what I’d lost with Caelan.
Come on, Sable, I said to my reflection as I applied concealer under my eyes. “Time to stop feeling sorry for yourself.”
The morning at the hospital passed in its usual blur of patients and paperwork. Medical emergencies had a way of forcing everything else into the background, which I was grateful for. It wasn’t until my lunch break that the routine was disrupted.
“Dr. Crawford? The front desk nurse approached with a small bag. “You have a delivery.”
I accepted the bay with curiosity, immediately noticing how perfectly prepared everything was. Inside was a complete lunch – grilled salmon with lemon, roasted vegetables, wild rice, even a small container of fresh fruit salad. The presentation was restaurant- quality, with a cute smiley face drawn in sriracha sauce on the plate lid
My heart started beating faster despite my attempt to stay rational. The cooking style, the attention to detail, even the specific combination of foods-it was exactly like something Caelan would prepare.
I took a careful bite of the salmon. The seasoning was perfect, familiar, exactly the way be used to cook for me,
It has to be him.
I searched through the bag more thoroughly and found a small white card tucked beneath the napkin in neat handwriting, it simply said: “Make sure you eat properly.”
For one shining moment, hope bloomed in my chest. Maybe this was his way of reaching out, of showing that he still cared. Maybe
My phone rang, interrupting the fantasy.
“Sable, sweetheart, did you get the lunch I sent over? Mary’s warm voice filled the speaker.
The hope deflated like a punctured balloon.
“I was worried you weren’t eating properly with everything that’s been going on,” Mary continued. “I know how you get when you’re upset you forget to take care of yourself.”
I forced enthusiasm into my voice. “Mary, this is so thoughtful of you. Thank you so much. The meal is perfect.”
“I’m going to send lunch and dinner every day until you’re feeling better,” she said firmly. “No arguments. It’s already arranged.”
After I hung up, I stared down at the carefully prepared meal. Mary was incredibly kind to think of me this way, but the disappointment was sharp and bitter. For just a moment, I’d allowed myself to hope that Caelan still thought about me, still cared enough to make sure I was eating.
Stop it, I told myself firmly. He’s moved on. You need to do the same.
I’d barely finished eating when another knock came at my office door.
“Dr. Crawford? There’s a patient asking for you specifically.”
I looked up to see a woman I hadn’t spoken to in months standing in my doorway. Helen – my father’s second cousin, technically, though she’d always insisted I call her Aunt Helen. She was in her mid-forties, dressed in an obviously expensive but somehow tacky combination of designer labels that didn’t quite work together.
“Aunt Helen!” I stood up with genuine surprise. “What brings you here?”
She smiled, settling herself in the chair across from my desk with practiced elegance. “I was here for my annual check-up anyway, and I heard through the grapevine that you were working here. Thought I’d stop by and see how my favorite niece is doing.”
Her eyes scanned my face with the kind of intense scrutiny that made me want to check if I had food stuck in my teeth.
“Your complexion looks terrible, dear. Are you getting enough sleep? She tilted her head with concern. I heard about your situation with the Lycan King. The broken engagement and all that drama. How are you holding up?”
I maintained my polite smile. Helen, you always were remarkably well-informed about everyone else’s business.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, you know how news travels in our circles. I just worry about you, sweetie. Being abandoned like that… it must be devastating.”
The word abandoned hit like a small slap, but I kept my expression neutral. You’re so considerate, always thinking about other people’s problems. I’m sure you have plenty of your own to keep you busy.”
Helen’s eyes sharpened slightly, but she pressed on. “I actually saw some entertainment news about Caelan recently. Photos of him with some new woman. Quite beautiful, actually. She paused dramatically. I suppose he was cheating on you?”
“Wow, Helen. You really keep up with celebrity gossip, don’t you? Your life must be incredibly fulfilling to have so much time for following other people’s romantic drama.”
“Well, cheating is quite normal, you know. Men, especially those with money and power. Helen’s voice took on a patronizing tone. “You should forgive him. After all, this kind of opportunity to climb the social ladder isn’t something everyone gets.”
I nodded with apparent agreement. “You’re so right, Helen. You seem to have a lot of experience with this. You must have suffered quite a bit to develop such profound life wisdom.”
Helen completely missed the sarcasm. “Honestly, when I first heard you were going to marry the Lycan King, I thought it was unrealistic. He’s a King, after all. He has access to so many exceptional women around him…”
“Oh, you know what makes a woman exceptional?” I maintained my sweet smile. “In my opinion, truly exceptional women don’t need to tear others down to make themselves look good. And when someone with no class talks about exceptional, well, that probably isn’t a compliment.”
Helen’s face reddened with anger. “Sable! I’m trying to help you – what are you implying? Are you saying I have no class?” She huffed indignantly. “You’d better hurry up and find someone suitable while you’re still young and somewhat attractive. Women lose their value when they get older.”
“Following your logic, you must be completely worthless by now. How fascinating that you’re still able to function in society.”
Helen’s mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”
I smiled sweetly. “I mean, according to your own theory about women’s value being tied to youth and beauty – and you being well past both – I’m just wondering how you’ve managed to maintain any sense of self-worth.”
Her face flushed red. “Sable! I was trying to help you! I was giving you advice out of concern, and you’re being deliberately cruel.”
“You think you’re being abandoned because you deserve it. A man like Caelan Blackwood needs a woman who can match his status, his sophistication. Someone who understands the demands of his position.”
She stood up abruptly, “Clearly you’re too proud to accept good advice. Fine. Stay delusional. But mark my words – you’ll regret not taking this opportunity to fix things while you still can. Women your age don’t get infinite chances,
1 stood as well, my voice dropping to conversational sweetness. “Helen, I want you to know that this conversation has been incredibly enlightening. It’s not often you meet someone so willing to reveal exactly how small and bitter they really are inside.”
Im sure you meant well, in your own twisted way. But I think we both know that your concern has more to do with your own insecurities than any genuine care for my wellbeing.”
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