Chapter 97
Chapter 97
The taxi ride from the airport Sutton didn’t remember. It wasn’t jet lag, but it hadn’t helped.
The only thing that stuck in her mind was the rain as it hit the windows of the taxi, and she watched the fat raindrops slide down the outside of the glass. Typical. New York had always had a sick sense of timing.
The driver didn’t speak much and thank God for that. Sutton didn’t have it in her to make conversation. She barely had it in her to breathe.
Her head throbbed. Her back ached. Her stomach turned with every bump in the road. Not morning sickness–just everything sickness. Life sickness. If anything, him speaking to her would’ve only made her cry again.
When the car pulled up in front of Blair, Dan, and Laura’s building, Sutton didn’t move for a second. She just stared at the place. She hadn’t been here before but had the address in her phone.
This place… New York–not Blair’s place–was like a different lifetime ago. One where she wasn’t pregnant. One where Luca hadn’t looked her in the eye and called her a slut.
She was hurt more than anything that he had believed she would sleep around on him. He was the one who had been planning to get engaged to this young girl while he had been seeing her. Had he always been engaged to his little wife? Having a woman on the side until his bride came of age?
Who truly was the slut here if that was the case?
She paid the driver, dragging her suitcases up the stairs one at a time, and rang the buzzer.
Keira answered the door.
“Holy shit,” she breathed, pulling it wide open. “You didn’t tell us you were coming. I was just visiting with Blair. Dan’s away for some sales meeting, and Laura had some modeling gig for a few days.”
Sutton shrugged, voice dry. “Didn’t know I was until the last minute. I didn’t know I was coming here until I got in the taxi.”
Keira stepped aside, letting her in. “You look like hell.”
“Thanks,” Sutton said, pulling her two suitcases through the door.
Blair was already coming down the hallway barefoot, hair up in a messy twist, wearing leggings and an old Columbia sweatshirt. Her eyes widened when she saw her.
“Sutton?”
“Yeah,” Sutton said, throat scratchy. “It’s me.” Her throat tightened.
Blair didn’t hesitate. Just crossed the space and wrapped her arms around her.
And for a second, Sutton let herself sink into it. She may be the older sister and normally the strong one, but right now, she wasn’t feeling it. She felt set
adrift. Afloat from reality.
“You okay?” Blair asked, too quietly.
Sutton pulled away before she could fall apart. “I’m tired.”
“You want food? Shower? Couch?”
“Couch,” she said. “First… I do need a shower, but I don’t think I have the energy to stand upright now, let alone strip.”
Keira had already disappeared into the linen closet. Blair guided her to the couch, where she collapsed like her bones were done trying to hold her up.
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Chapter 97
She didn’t cry. Not yet. Honestly, right now, she didn’t believe she could tell her sisters what had happened and cry at the same time. Her brain wasn‘ functioning enough to multitask.
Sutton was glad her sisters didn’t jump on her to ask questions. They gave her time, and she was grateful. It surprised her with Keira her younger sister not exactly known for being subtle.
Blair handed her tea a few moments later, Sutton hadn’t even noticed her leave the room.
Keira pulled her boots off like she was seven years old or something. Placing a light blanket over her. Sutton let it happen. She curled up, took small sips, and tried not to throw up. Her stomach was too tight. Everything was too tight.
After a while, Keira sat on the armrest beside her and nudged her shoulder.
“Well?” was Keira’s one–word question.
Sutton stared at the steam rising from her mug. “I was in a relationship, as you know.” She had told them she was seeing someone, but not all the details -because she hadn’t been sure if he was serious.
Hah. What a joke.
He hadn’t been. No. He had his child bride.
Blair sat across from her. “We know.”
Her sisters said nothing, waiting for Sutton to fill in the blanks.
After a moment, Keira nudged her shoulder again.
“So, uh. Are you gonna tell us what happened? Or are we just gonna vibe in awkward silence until one of us snaps and fake cries for attention?”
“It’s over.”
“With Luca?” Blair asked immediately.
Sutton nodded. “Yeah.”
“What did he do?” Keira asked. “Because if this is something forgivable, like bad socks or a questionable haircut, I’m still slashing his tires out of
principle.”
Sutton swallowed. “He’s getting married.”
Blair blinked. “To who?”
“Some eighteen–year–old Italian heiress.”
Keira made a strangled sound. “Wait, wait, wait. Eighteen? Like… legal in Italy but barely not doing homework?”
“Yeah.”
Blair’s expression darkened. “And he didn’t tell you?”
“He came over to end things,” Sutton said. “Then told him I was pregnant. But he still left.”
That landed hard.
Dead silence.
Blair sat back. “You’re what?”
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Chapter 97
“Pregnant.”
Keira blinked. “With his baby?”
“No, Keira. With a stranger’s. Obviously.”
Keira grinned. “Just checking. You’ve always had that mysterious glow about you. Could’ve been immaculate conception.”
Sutton laughed. Just once. It sounded broken. But it was Keira, and that counted for something.
“I told him. He didn’t believe me. Said I was lying. Trying to trap him. Called me a slut… he said some hurtful things. Doesn’t believe the baby’s his
Keira’s eyes went wide. “Oh hell no. No. No no no. Give me his address. I’m serious. I can be on his doorstep by Friday and in jail by Saturday. Vil bring my own shovel.”
“I mailed him the test,” Sutton added, not responding to Keira’s comment. “He probably burned it.”
Blair leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “You came home because of that? I’m glad you did, hon.”
“I came home because I couldn’t stay,” Sutton said. “I canceled my contracts. Walked away from the agency. I’m done. I just… I can’t live that life right now. I’m pregnant, alone.”
Blair nodded once, slow. “You’re not alone.”
“I know, I know. I meant-”
Blair cut her off. “You said alone. I’m correcting you. Not alone. Not anymore. You have us.”
Keira snapped her fingers. “Exactly. And I just signed a lease on a two–bedroom with a study. Was looking for a roommate, but clearly the universe had other plans. You and that nugget in your uterus can move in. Study’s got great light. We’ll make it a nursery.”
Sutton blinked. “Keira, you don’t have to-”
“I know I don’t. But it’s either that or I keep living by myself and start talking to my plants like they’re people. It’s you or the ficus, and honestly, he’s been a judgmental little shit lately.”
Sutton just stared at her.
Blair smirked. “She’s serious.”
“I am,” Keira said. “Rent’s not bad. I’m not messy. And I don’t care if the baby screams all night because I once lived under a guy who played the drums at 3 a.m. every Tuesday. I’m basically trauma–trained.”
Sutton’s throat tightened. “You guys…”
“We’re not going anywhere,” Blair said simply. “So stop acting like this is some big tragedy where you’re the lone survivor. You made it out. You left. That’s strength, not shame.”
“I feel like a fucking idiot.”
Keira shrugged. “No. He is the idiot.”
Sutton smiled through the sting behind her eyes.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” she admitted.
Blair stood and walked over, resting a hand on her shoulder. “But we’ll figure it out. Together.”
Sutton finally let herself exhale.
She had
the best sisters.
