Abby
It''s been a couple more days since Karl and | spent that surprisingly enjoyable day at the food drive and the subsequent stroll
through the holiday market.
The memories of our time together linger in my mind, a mix of warmth and nostalgia. I’m grateful for the brief moments of
connection, but a part of me wonders how long this charade can continue.
Today, I’m sitting in my bedroom. | just had lunch, and I''ve retreated to my room for some privacy. Some of the staff here are still
giving me strange looks and referring to me as “Luna” despite my attempts to exin the situation, but I’ve given up at this point.
Besides, | figure that I''ll likely be heading home soon and that there’s no point in trying to change their minds. | haven’t heard
from Officer Martinez yet, but | have a good feeling; although, I’ve been too scared to look into the news yet, so I’m not sure how
the press situation is back in the city.
But then, just as I’m getting engrossed in a book, my phone buzzes on the bedside table. Startled, | reach for it and see Chloe’s
name shing on the screen.
| take a deep breath, considering whether or not to answer. She’s definitely going to ask where | am, and I’m not so sure if | want
to tell her that I’m hiding in my ex-husband’s house.
| hesitate for a moment before swiping to answer the call. “Hey, Chloe,” | say, trying to sound as cheerful as possible.
“Abby!” Chloe’s voice sounds a little concerned. “I haven’t heard from you. How’s everything going over there? The news is still
crazy.”
“I''m fine,” | say as nonchntly as possible. “I’m justying low, not going out... | haven''t looked at the news.”
There’s a brief pause on the other end of the line. “That’s probably a good call,” she says, seemingly buying my excuse. “Things
are still a little crazy. | thought abouting over—”Content is property of N?velDrama.Org.
“No!” | say, maybe a little more quickly than | should. | clear my throat, trying to steady my voice. “Il mean... It’s just not a good
idea, Chloe,” | say. “It’s best if | just stay inside and don’t take any visitors. But really, I’m fine.”
Chloe, seemingly oblivious to my implications, simply sighs. “Yeah, | feel you,” she says.
With that, the two of usunch into a discussion about everything. I''ve been curious about what’s going on with the staff from the
restaurant, but am relieved to find out that everyone is fine, just as they were before.
It''s a relief, although if my restaurant winds up opening again, I’m sure I''ll be losing a good chunk of my front-of-house staff. Not
that | me them. I’m just d that people seem to be finding other work.
Still, it’s difficult for me to believe that it''s only been a little under three weeks since everything happened. It feels like months.
“So, Abby,” Chloe says, her tone shifting to a more serious note, “have you thought about what’s next? | mean, with everything
going on...”
| pause, my heart sinking a little. | can’t confide in Chloe about Karl’s involvement in my life right now, and besides, | don’t even
know what my next steps are. “I’m... just taking it one step at a time,” reply evasively. “No concrete ns yet. But I''ll figure it
out.”
Chloe lets out a sympathetic sigh. “I can’t even imagine how tough this must be for you,” she says. “But remember, you have
people who care about you, Abby. You''re not alone in this.”
“| know,” | say, feeling a pang of guilt for not being totally honest with her. “Thanks, Chloe.”
“And don’t you dare shut yourself out,” she says. “Even if we can’t see each other, you can still call me. Don’t make me worry
about you.”
| can’t help but chuckle. “I guess | haven’t been the bestmunicator,” | say.
“No, you haven''t,” Chloe adds with a chuckle of her own. “But it’s okay. We still love you...”
As our conversation continues, | realize how nice it is to hear my friend’s voice. Between the stress of what''s going on at home,
the stress of everything that’s also going on here, and Karl being busy most of the day, | feel rather lonely.
It''s nice to have Elsie around, but she’s busy, too. | feel like ayabout, a bum with nothing better to do than bother people while
they''re trying to work.
Eventually, we say our goodbyes, and | promise to keep in touch. But as | end the call, a heavy feeling settles in my chest. How
much longer can | keep up this charade?
How many more lies will | have to tell in order to protect the strange rtionship that’s budding between me and my ex-
husband?
After ending my call with Chloe, | set my phone down on the bedside table and take a moment to collect my thoughts. | don’t
think | can focus on my book anymore, so | decide to leave my room and head downstairs.
The cheerful sounds ofughter and the familiar hum of activity reach my ears as | descend the grand staircase. It’s then that |
notice some of the servants bustling around, carrying boxes of Christmas decorations and stringing lights along the banisters.
Awave of nostalgia washes over me as | step into the living room, where Marcus is helping one of the butlers put up a tall
Christmas tree.
Without hesitation, | approach Marcus and the butlers.
“Need a hand?” | ask.
Marcus looks up and shoots me a grin. “We could always use more hands,” he says.
| roll up my sleeves and join in,
helping to erect the prickly tree. Nai
real tree—I alwaysrefaséd tSeett )
fonfaleeldnes when | lived here, and
it’s clear that the tradition has
continued—and it smells like sap and
pine. Please read the original content
at NovelDrama.Org.
“Feels a bit early for all of this,” | say to Marcus as we get the tree settled into its stand and anchor it to the wall. “It’s only the first
of December.”
Marcus shrugs, his fingers sticky
with pine sap. “Karl''s CSI NEUE
shootin agidswidys nce.
"Sddnse like he wants to make sure
the annual Christmas partyes
sooner this year.” Please read the
original content at NovelDrama.Org.
| can’t help but furrow my brow at Marcus’ words. Karl has always thrown the Christmas party closer to the actual holiday, at
least when we were married.
“Why the rush?” | ask as | grab some ribbon from a box to start decorating the tree.
“Because,” a voice suddenly calls from behind, “I have a special guest this year.”
| recognize Karl''s voice immediately.
Whirling around, | see him standin
at the top of the stairg.agoftsm
his''Face. Time seems to
slow as he begins to descend the
stars, and without meaning to, the
ribbon drops out of my fingers and
back into the box. Please read the
original content at NovelDrama.Org.
“A special guest?” | find myself asking as Karl closes the distance between us.
He smirks, and it’s now that he’s closer that | can see the mischievous look in his brown eyes.
“You mean you don’t know, Abby?”