Chapter 55 Chapter 55
The next morning was calm. Birds sang softly outside, and the light from the big window fell across Savannah’s face. She woke up slowly, stretching her arms and touching her belly. The baby kicked a little, and she smiled.
She could still hear Aunty Lisa’s loud voice in her head from the day before. That woman had filled the house with laughter. Savannah hadn’t felt that much joy in a long time.
She got up and walked to the mirror. Her stomach had grown bigger. Seven months gone, she whispered to herself, touching the curve gently. Her eyes softened. “You’re almost here, my little one,” she said.
There was a knock at the door. It was soft but firm.
“Come in,” Savannah said, thinking it was one of the maids.
The door opened, and Adrian stepped in. He wore a white shirt and looked fresh, his hair still wet from a shower. “Good morning,” he said, his tone warm.
“Good morning,” she replied, smiling shyly. “You’re up early.”
He nodded. “I have a few meetings today, but I wanted to check on you first. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I did,” she said. “Thanks for yesterday. Your aunty is really sweet.”
Adrian chuckled, sitting on the chair by her bed. “She talks too much, but she means well.”
Savannah laughed. “She told me not to let you go.”
He raised an eyebrow, pretending to be serious. “Did she?”
Savannah nodded, still smiling. “She said you’re tough but soft inside.”
Adrian laughed quietly, shaking his head. “That sounds like her.”
There was a small silence between them. The air felt warm and calm. Savannah looked at him, and for the first time, she noticed the gentle way he looked at her — not with pity, but with something else. Something that made her heart beat faster.
“You don’t have to keep checking on me every morning,” she said softly. “I don’t want to disturb your work.”
“You’re not a disturbance,” Adrian replied. “I like checking on you. It gives me peace before the day starts.”
His words made her blink. She looked down, hiding her face. “You’re too kind,” she murmured.
He smiled and stood up. “Kindness doesn’t hurt anyone.”
After he left, Savannah sat on the bed for a long time. She could still feel the warmth of his presence. She sighed deeply, her fingers playing with the bedsheet.
“What’s happening to me?” she whispered. “I can’t fall for him… he’s just helping me.”
But her heart disagreed. Each day, she found herself thinking about him — his voice, his smile, the way he looked at her as if she mattered.
Later that day, she walked around the garden. The flowers were blooming, and the air smelled fresh. She touched one of the roses gently. “You’re lucky,” she said to the flower, smiling faintly. “Someone takes care of you every day.”
Behind her, Adrian’s voice came softly. “You like flowers?”
She turned quickly. “Oh! You scared me.”
He laughed lightly. “Didn’t mean to. I came back early. I saw you from the window.”
“They’re beautiful,” she said, looking at the roses again.
“They are,” Adrian said. “But you’re smiling more beautiful than them right now.”
Savannah looked up, surprised, and their eyes met. For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. Then she turned away, blushing. “You shouldn’t say things like that,” she said.
“Why not?” he asked quietly. “It’s true.”
Her heart skipped again. She tried to change the topic quickly. “I think I’ll go make lunch,” she said.
“I’ll join you,” he said.
They cooked together for the first time. Adrian was terrible in the kitchen — he cut the vegetables too big and almost spilled the soup. Savannah couldn’t stop laughing.
“You’re hopeless,” she said, wiping tears from her laughter.
He grinned. “Hey, I’m trying my best.”
The kitchen was filled with laughter and the smell of food. For the first time in a long while, Savannah felt happy. Real happiness — the kind that comes from being safe, seen, and loved, even if she hadn’t said it aloud.
When they sat to eat, Adrian watched her quietly. “You look different,” he said.
“How?” she asked.
“You smile more. You look free,” he said.
She smiled gently. “Maybe because for once, I feel safe.”
Adrian’s chest tightened. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, how much he cared. But he stayed quiet. Not now. Not yet.
When evening came, Savannah stood by the window, watching the sunset. The sky was orange and calm. She placed her hand on her belly. “Maybe love can find broken people too,” she whispered.
Behind her, Adrian watched from the door silently. His heart whispered the same thing — Maybe it already has.