His Wine Cost More Than My Unborn Child Chapter 08

His Wine Cost More Than My Unborn Child Chapter 08

Tamsin didn’t keep me waiting.

Early the next morning, she called.

“Don’t go to the warehouse today. Come to The Velvet Room early this afternoon. I’ve got a makeup artist and a stylist lined up for you.”

“Okay.”

“And no heavy food.”

“Okay.”

She paused. “You can still change your mind.”

I smiled. “I’ve done plenty of things I regret. This time, I really don’t want to have any regrets.”

When Corbin got up, I had breakfast ready.

“You’re not going to the warehouse today?” he asked, surprised.

“No.”

He studied my face for a moment.

Maybe I looked calmer than I had in days, because his expression softened too.

He walked over, wrapped me in his arms, and gently rocked me.

“How’s your grandma?”

“She’s awake. The doctors say she needs a hip replacement. They need a hundred thousand

dollars.”

“But Uncle Boyd said he’ll cover it for now. I’ll pay him back little by little.”

I smiled as if it were no big deal.

“I’m exhausted. I just want one day off.”

“Nessa, actually, I…” He trailed off.

I cut him off. “Let’s eat. I don’t want to talk about any of this today.”

The butternut squash soup was warm and sweet. I only finished half a bowl.

Corbin said he wasn’t going to the construction site either. He wanted to stay home with me.

“No, it’s okay. I already made plans with a friend. We’re going shopping.”

I smiled and shook my head.

“You should go to work. Really. Don’t worry about me.

After thinking it over, he transferred five hundred dollars to me.

“Go treat yourself to something good. Don’t skimp. You’ve gotten way too thin lately.”

Before leaving, he rubbed my head and kissed my cheek.

“Wait for me.”

“Okay.”

I watched him leave. Then I took a deep breath.

I cleaned the apartment from top to bottom and packed everything that belonged to me.

Just after noon, I headed out.

When I met Tamsin, she got straight to the point.

“I found someone. The guy you met last night.”

“His name’s Lachlan Halstead. Five years older than you.”

“He’s a bit of a player, but nothing weird. No bad habits.”

“He’s interested in you. Wants you to be with him for a while. Here’s the contract.”

I opened it, confused.

“I thought… I was here to be a hostess.”

“Being a kept woman is better. Just one man. No drinking with clients, no entertaining. Much better than working the floor.”

“I asked around. The women who’ve been with Lachlan before-they all walked

away

clean.”

“When he’s done, you’ll have enough to go back home. Buy a house. Take your grandma with you

Start over.”

“Nessa.

“She held my shoulders and looked me straight in the eye.

It was the most serious I’d ever seen her.

“You still have a whole life ahead of you. Don’t give up on yourself.”

After the makeup, the hair, and several dress changes, I barely recognized the woman in the

mirror.

For the first time in a long while, the woman staring back at me actually looked beautiful.

Tamsin smiled with satisfaction. “Much better.”

“Come on. Don’t keep him waiting.”

Lachlan was sitting in the private room, legs crossed.

He looked me up and down. Finally, he nodded. “Not bad.”

“Clothes really do make the person.”

“Though honestly, you’re not bad without makeup either. Just look a little worn out. Probably haven’t been sleeping well.”

He turned to Tamsin.

“Set her up with a few good med spas.”

“A woman’s gotta take care of herself. You age fast if you don’t.”

Tamsin gave him an OK sign. Then she shot me a look before slipping quietly out of the room.

“Come here.”

Lachlan crooked a finger.

I walked over stiffly. Halfway there, I almost twisted my ankle in the heels.

He burst out laughing. “Alright, relax. I’m not gonna bite.”

“Tamsin explained everything, right?”

“This’s a mutual arrangement. You’re willing, I’m willing. Nobody’s forcing anybody.”

I nodded.

“Where do you live?”

I paused for a second, then gave him the address.

He frowned. “That’s in a rundown neighborhood, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“Let’s go.” He stood up.

I blinked. “Go where?”

“To move you our of there.”

He looked thoroughly unimpressed.

“I’m not driving into a rundown neighborhood every time I want to see you.”

His legs were long. Mine weren’t.

And the heels didn’t help. I had to jog just to keep up.

“You okay?” he asked. “Don’t roll an ankle.”

He was paying me more money than I’d ever imagined.

Whether I could keep up or not, I had to.

He sighed. “Forget it. Just take my arm.’

He held out his arm to me. I carefully slipped my hand through it.

When I saw he didn’t mind, I finally relaxed.

The moment we stepped out of The Velvet Room, I saw Corbin.

He was standing outside with a group of friends.

They were laughing and talking. I caught bits and pieces.

…the bet…make it a hundred grand…she’ll probably cry…”

I ducked my head on instinct. Afraid he’d spot me.

Then my phone lit up. It was Corbin.

“You gonna answer that?” Lachlan said casually.

After a brief hesitation, I picked up.

“Nessa!” His voice was full of excitement. “Guess what? I’ve got great news!”

“I don’t know.” I stared at his back, my voice quiet.

“My friend hit the lottery! He’s willing to lend us a hundred grand!”

“Isn’t that amazing? Grandma’s surgery-it’s covered!”

Around him, his friends pressed their lips together, their shoulders shaking with suppressed

laughter.

Lachlan let out a scornful little snort.

“Thank you,” I said evenly. “But it’s okay. I already found the

money.”

Corbin froze. “What?”

I ended the call.

At the same moment, the valet pulled up Lachlan’s sports car.

“Get in, sweetheart.”

Lachlan opened the passenger door for me.

Everyone turned to look.

I lifted my head and met Corbin’s eyes.

He stood there, stunned. Then he started walking toward us.

I looked away and got into the car.

“Nessa?” He whispered my name in disbelief.

When I didn’t respond, he quickened his pace.

His voice rose. “Nessa!”

“You know him?” Lachlan asked.

“No,” I said, my voice flat.

Lachlan stepped in front of Corbin.

“Easy there, Corbin.”

“First come, first served. She’s with me now.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Corbin snapped. “She’s my girlfriend!”

“Nessa, get out of the car! I can explain!”

“Oh?” Lachlan smiled. “But she says she doesn’t even know you.”

He tilted his head, grinning.

“Didn’t realize you’d developed delusions at such a young age, Corbin. Might want to get that head

checked.”

He got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

Corbin pounded on my window, trying to make me get out.

I never looked at him.

My heart had been with him for too long.

And now, in this moment, I was taking it back. For good.