Chapter 33 Chapter 33
Savannah woke up early the next morning, her eyes heavy with sleep. She turned slowly on the bed, her hand resting on her stomach. The baby. The one thing that kept her moving forward.
The apartment Adrian gave her was warm and beautiful, better than anything she had ever lived in. But still, she could not just sit and fold her hands. She had always worked. Even when Nathaniel gave her nothing, even when he treated her like trash, she had found ways to keep herself busy.
Now, she felt guilty sitting in comfort while Adrian was helping her. She wanted to do something, anything, to feel useful.
So, despite his warning the night before, she tied her scarf, grabbed her small purse, and went back to the café.
The moment she entered, Clara looked surprised. “Savannah, I thought you wouldn’t come today. You looked pale yesterday.”
“I’m fine,” Savannah said with a small smile. “I need the work.”
Clara didn’t argue, but she kept watching her all day, worried.
\---
Far across town, Adrian sat in his office. The table in front of him was full of files, but he could not focus. His pen kept tapping against the paper, his eyes fixed on nothing.
He saw Savannah’s tired face in his mind, the way her hands shook while she poured coffee yesterday, the way she forced herself to smile though her eyes told another story.
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. Why won’t she listen? Why does she keep working when she should rest?
Daniel, his closest friend and business partner, walked in. “Adrian, you’ve signed the same page three times. What’s going on?”
Adrian dropped the pen and sighed. “It’s Savannah. She refuses to stop working. She fainted not long ago, but she still forces herself.”
Daniel studied him carefully. “And you care so much because?”
Adrian looked at him sharply, then softened. “Because she’s pregnant, Daniel. She has no one. And… I can’t just stand by.”
Daniel smirked. “It sounds like you care more than you admit.”
Adrian didn’t reply. He turned to the window, his thoughts restless.
\---
At the café, Savannah tried to focus, but her body felt heavier with every passing hour. She carried trays, wiped tables, and smiled at customers, but her back ached, and her feet screamed for rest.
Clara noticed. “Savannah, sit down for a while. I’ll handle this.”
But Savannah shook her head. “No, I can do it.”
Clara frowned. “You’re too stubborn.”
Savannah forced a laugh, but deep down, her chest tightened. She remembered Nathaniel’s cruel voice: You’re useless. You can’t even give me a child.
Now, she carried that child, but she was alone. She wanted to prove she could survive without anyone’s pity.
\---
That night, Adrian finally closed from work. Instead of going home, he found himself driving straight to Savannah’s apartment. His chest was tight, his thoughts racing.
When she opened the door, she looked exhausted. Dark circles sat under her eyes, and her steps were slow.
Adrian frowned immediately. “You went back to work.”
Savannah froze, guilty. “I… I just needed to do something. I can’t sit all day doing nothing.”
Adrian stepped inside, his voice firm but calm. “Savannah, this is not about sitting around. This is about you and the baby. Do you want to collapse again?”
Her lips trembled. “I don’t want to be a burden, Adrian. You’ve done too much already. I don’t deserve this.”
Adrian’s jaw clenched. “You think caring for you is a burden? Is that how little you think of yourself?”
Tears filled Savannah’s eyes. She turned away. “All my life, that’s how I’ve been treated. Nathaniel made me believe I was nothing.”
Adrian’s chest tightened. He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Nathaniel is a fool. You’re not nothing, Savannah. Stop killing yourself with this work. Please. For once, let someone care for you.”
Her shoulders shook as tears rolled down. Adrian’s hand almost reached to hold her, but he stopped himself. Instead, he said, “Promise me you won’t go back to that café again. Promise me you’ll rest.”
Savannah wiped her eyes, weak but soft. “I’ll try.”
“No,” Adrian said firmly. “Not try. Promise.”
She looked up at him, her eyes red. Then slowly, she nodded. “I promise.”
Adrian finally breathed, relief softening his face. “Good. Now eat something, then rest.”
Savannah gave a small smile, the first in days.
\---
Meanwhile, at Nathaniel’s mansion, Cassandra lounged on the couch in her silk nightgown. Vanessa sat beside her, sipping wine.
“You’re lucky,” Vanessa teased. “Nathaniel loves you now. You’re the lady of the house.”
Cassandra smirked. “Of course. This is how it was always meant to be. Savannah was just a shadow, never fit for this life.”
Vanessa laughed. “True. Two years married and no child? That woman is probably barren.”
They both laughed louder, their voices echoing in the room.
Cassandra’s eyes gleamed. “Nathaniel believes Savannah is gone. Soon, everything will be mine. The mansion, the company… everything.”
Vanessa clapped her hands. “And I’ll be right beside you. We’ll both eat from his table.”
Neither of them knew that while they laughed, Savannah was slowly building a new life. And Adrian, the man they hadn’t counted on, was watching her closer every day.
\---
That night, Adrian stood at his apartment window, a glass of water in his hand. He couldn’t sleep. He thought of Savannah’s tired eyes, her tears, her trembling voice when she promised to rest.
His chest ached in a way he didn’t want to admit.
“She doesn’t even know how much she matters,” he whispered to himself.
And as the city lights glowed outside, Adrian made a silent vow. As long as I breathe, I won’t let her suffer again.