Chapter 23 A Little Peace
The sun was shining through the windows when I woke up and for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t waking up from fear. I wasn’t jumping up to check the doors or listen for strange sounds. I just… opened my eyes and breathed peacefully.
Carson was still sleeping beside me, his arm across my waist, holding me like he didn’t want to let go. I smiled a little and touched his cheek, as I'm enjoying that little moment.
He slowly opened his eyes.
“You’re awake,” he said with a sleepy voice.
“Yes,” I whispered. “And you’re still here.”I added.
He pulled me closer. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
We stayed like that for a while, with no words, no fear, just peace and silence.
Then my stomach growled loudly and we both laughed.
“I guess someone’s hungry,” Carson said.
“I didn’t even eat well yesterday,” I replied with a smile.
“Well, let’s fix that,” he said and sat up. “Today, we'll cook. No laptops, no files, no fights. Just food and lovely moments,”he said again.
“I like the sound of that,” I said in excitement.
He stood and stretched. “You stay in bed. I’ll start breakfast,”He said, smiling.
I watched him walk out and for a moment, I just laid there, hugging the pillow. After all we went through , this peace felt like a gift.
Soon, I joined him in the kitchen. He had flour on his nose and eggshells on the counter.
“What are you making?” I asked.
“I think it was supposed to be pancakes,” he said, looking at the messy bowl. “But it’s turning into a disaster,”He said.
I laughed and walked over to help him. “Let me do it. You’re too rich to know how to cook,” I teased.
He raised a brow. “Excuse me, I’ve cooked before!” He said.
“When?” I asked.
“Once. In college. I burnt the kitchen,” he said and we both laughed again.
We cooked together, side by side, spilling flour and arguing about how much sugar to add. It wasn’t perfect, but it was fun.
When the pancakes were done, we sat at the table and ate everything.
“This is the best breakfast ever,” I said.
“You’re just hungry,” Carson replied with a smile.
“Maybe,” I said. “But it’s still perfect.”I added.
After breakfast, we sat on the balcony, watching people pass on the street and everything looked normal and peaceful.
“Do you think the storm is really over?” I asked softly.
“Not yet,” Carson replied. “But we’ve shaken the roots. Things are moving.”He said again.
I nodded slowly. “I just want a break. A real one.”I said.
He held my hand. “Then we'll take one, for a few days. Somewhere quiet, no phones, just us.”He said.
I looked at him. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” he said. “We deserve it,”he added.
And for the first time, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, we could have a little joy after all the pain.
Later that day, we went shopping for snacks and new clothes. Carson kept buying silly things like a pink hat for me and candy I didn’t even like.
“You’re wasting money,” I said, laughing.
“I’m spoiling you,” he replied.
We returned home in the evening and laid on the carpet like kids, eating snacks and watching old movies.
“This feels like a dream,” I said.
He looked at me. “Then let’s not wake up,”he said.
I smiled.
Everything felt so light and so free, until there was a knock on the door.
Carson frowned.
“Are you expecting anyone?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “Stay here.”
He stood and walked to the door. I followed quietly.
When he opened the door, a woman stood there.
She was tall, with red lips and a slim, expensive dress. Her hair was perfect and her eyes sharp.
Carson froze.
“Bridget?” he said, sounding surprised.
“Hello, Carson,” she said with a cold smile. “Miss me?”
My heart skipped.
He stepped out a little. “What are you doing here?”He asked.
She looked past him and saw me.
“Oh,” she said. “So, this is her. The reason you forgot about your real life.”
“Bridget, don’t do this,” Carson said.
“Don’t do what?” she asked, her voice sharp now. “Remind you that we were supposed to be engaged?”
I gasped. “Engaged?”I said quietly.
Carson turned quickly. “Annabel, it’s not what it sounds like.”
Bridget laughed. “Oh, don’t lie to her. You were mine, Carson. We had plans, remember? Until you disappeared and married her instead.”She said.
I stepped back.
My heart was beating fast.
Carson looked pained. “Bridget, I never loved you.”He said.
She looked hurt for a second, then covered it with pride.
“You left me without a word,” she said. “And now you’re here playing house with her?”
I couldn’t speak. I just kept staring.
Carson walked toward me. “Annabel, listen to me. She was part of the plan, It was never real. It was part of the deal I had with Greg’s people.”
Bridget laughed again. “So now I’m just part of the plan?”She asked.
Carson turned to her. “You knew it wasn’t love. You knew it was all business,”He said.
“I waited,” she said. “I waited for you, Carson. You promised me things!”She said.
“I lied,” he said. “Because I didn’t know how to get out. I didn’t know who I was until I met her.”He said again.
His voice cracked.
Bridget’s face changed. She wasn’t smiling anymore.
“You’ll regret this,” she said softly.
Then she turned and walked away, leaving the door open.
I stood there, frozen.
“Annabel,” Carson whispered.
I looked at him.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.
“I was ashamed,” he said. “And I thought it didn’t matter anymore,”he added.
I shook my head. “Everything matters,”I said.
He stepped closer. “Please… don’t let this come between us. She was part of a life I was trying to escape.”he said with a pitiful look.
I looked away.
“I just need time,” I said softly.
He nodded slowly. “Take all the time you need. I’ll wait,”he replied.
I walked to the bedroom and closed the door, not in anger… but in deep thought.
The storm might not be over after all.
And now, a new shadow had arrived.