Three Days Until Goodbye Chapter 03
So, it was just a free add-on.
Her intentions were crystal clear.
I hung up without a single word.
Setting the phone down, I started pulling out my IDs and paperwork.
Alexander appeared right behind me.
“Why is your passport out?”
My hand twitched on instinct, but I caught myself and easily slipped into a lie.
“I’m coming with you on your overseas business trip next month. Just checking my travel docs ahead of time.”
He usually made me tag along whenever he went abroad.
This time, though, he opened his mouth, then paused.
“Next month… Brina’s coming with me.”
Catching my blank stare, he hurried to add, “But I booked you a trip to Europe next month so you can relax. We both need some time apart.”
No wonder he wanted to ship me off so suddenly.
He just wanted to guarantee I wouldn’t crash his private time with Sabrina.
The old me would have cried and caused a massive scene, refusing to drop it until he swore up and down that I was the one he loved most.
This time, I just nodded and slipped my passport into my bag.
Alexander finally realized something was off.
“Didn’t you always keep our photo in your bag? Where’d it go?”
We were over.
There was zero reason to drag our picture around with me anymore.
But I ignored the question, calmly pivoting.
“I need to rest. Did you need something?”
That snapped him back to why he’d come looking for me in the first place.
“Where’s my honey water?”
Alexander had stomach issues, and his doctor had told him to drink more honey.
Every hour, on the hour, I’d mix honey with hot water, let it cool to the exact right temperature, and pour it into a glass so he’d have a warm drink ready whenever he wanted.
It was an exhausting routine, but I’d kept it up for five years straight.
I offered a quick excuse.
“I just got out of the hospital. I don’t feel well.”
It wasn’t a lie.
I’d only stayed in the hospital for a single day after the miscarriage, and the lingering depression since coming home was taking a heavy toll.
Right on cue, a sharp cramp tore through my belly.
All the color must have drained from my face, because Alexander panicked.
He scooped me up and laid me on the bed.
“You failed to protect our child, yet you still have the nerve to be mad at me,” he muttered.
“Whatever. I’ll stay and take care of you tonight.”
Just then, his phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen out of pure habit.
The caller ID flashed, “Princess Brina.”
He answered, and Sabrina’s quiet sobbing drifted through the speaker.
“Alex, I hurt my hand. Can you come see me?
“I feel so helpless, I don’t even know how to register at the hospital.”
Alexander stood there in silence, looking torn.
I clutched my stomach, a cold sweat breaking out across my forehead.
Pushing the words out through the pain, I told him, “You should go.”
He hesitated, but he made his choice.
“I’m sorry, Mady. Brina just got back into the country, and I’m worried about her.
“I’ll call a doctor for you. I’ll be back later.”
A few seconds later, the front door slammed shut.
I curled into a tight ball, completely numb.
It wasn’t the first time he’d ditched me for Sabrina. I was totally used to it by now.
The family doctor showed up a little while later.
He stared at me with obvious disgust, but under Alexander’s orders, he reluctantly started the exam.
“You’ve been with Mr. Broughton for five years, and he still refuses to acknowledge you in public. You can’t possibly be stupid enough to believe the promises a guy makes in bed.
“The Dawes family is completely buried in debt—you’re entirely unworthy of someone like Mr. Broughton.
“Ms. Homer is his actual equal in wealth and status. If you had an ounce of self-respect, you’d pack your bags and leave.”