No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 11



"Felicia, Mr. Wagner's on the line for you." Deborah Walker, who had tagged along with me, extended the phone toward me.

I had underestimated Conrad's persistence. In such a situation, I could only take the phone and respond formally, "Mr. Wagner, what can I do for you?"

"Felicia," Conrad's voice was deep, laced with evident remorse, "Why did you leave so early today? I got home, and you weren't there."

Realizing he wasn't talking shop, I stepped away. "Went out for breakfast."

Conrad apologized to me. "Sorry, I... got held up last night. Couldn't make it back."

A chill ran through me, my lips curling into a mocking smile. "And why was that?"

Conrad was silent.

I held my breath, giving him a way out. "Couldn't find a caregiver?"

Conrad replied calmly, "Yes."

before Conrad spoke again, "Felicia, when are you free? I'll pick

meal together. According to what Jimmy had said the night before, Conrad had been staying with Haley. Was his sudden invitation for lunch a guilt trip for bailing on me the previous night or a sudden

replied casually, "Not sure when I'll be free. Maybe I won't finish up by lunchtime. Besides, aren't

catching the sarcasm in my voice, then fell silent for

think about if he could walk out on me the night

was at work and didn't want to drag personal matters into it. "I'm busy right now. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging

so I ended the

on-site inspections. After wrapping up the discussions by ten in the morning, Deborah and I headed

all its phases. Eighty percent complete, my task was to ensure the final output matched

the partner's compliance, I had to make the trip as part of the process. Walking the site left my feet

rest, and Deborah noticed my discomfort. "Felicia,

in the field, I'd

"Felicia, you seem

Deborah gestured to

And when a woman's mood was off, no amount of makeup

an excuse, then pretended to be busy

was a chatterbox, and I feared her

shadow loomed