Chapter 142

Sarah pov.

The next few days felt like a slow exhale, like when you finally get to take off a tight pair of shoes after a long day. It wasn't that I hated Marina-I just couldn't stand how overbearing she'd been. I had always known she could be a bit much, but having her around constantly made it hard to keep my patience.

Now, with her gone, I could finally breathe.

I was sitting at the kitchen table the morning after she left, sipping my coffee in peace. Richard was at the counter, fiddling with the coffee machine, his back turned to me.

It was a rare moment of calm, but I wasn't sure if I was ready to let go of all the tension that had built up in the past week.

"You okay?" Richard asked, glancing over his shoulder with a slight smirk. "You seem... quieter than usual."

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "Just... tired, I guess. It's nice to have the house back to ourselves. No unsolicited advice on every little thing."

I chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood. But deep down, I felt something else-relief, yes, but also a tiny bit of guilt. I shouldn't have let Marina get to me that much, but I couldn't help it.

Richard set his mug down and came over to the table, sitting next to me. His hand brushed mine gently, and for a moment, I felt the world settle.

"You know," he said, his voice low, "I think you handled her a lot better than I would've." He leaned in and kissed my forehead softly. "You've got so much strength, Sarah. I don't know how you do it."

bittersweet. "I didn't feel strong when she

time I made a choice, she had something to say about it. I just wanted to do things my way, but... I don't

hand. "You don't have to second-guess yourself with me. I know you're doing what's best for you and

what it's worth, I think you're doing an amazing job

I needed to believe them. The truth was, this whole pregnancy thing was still so new to me, and I wasn't always sure I knew what I was doing. But with Richard

in my throat. It wasn't just the pregnancy that made me

a good

was a welcome distraction, especially after everything

as I paced back and forth in the living room, looking out the

on the other end. "Handling it? I'm practically running it! Everyone's on their toes, waiting for you to come back. But we're managing. No

glad you're keeping things under control. I honestly wasn't sure how I was going to manage both work and pregnancy at the same

of managing, how are things

you know, sometimes it's hard to deal with all the advice. Like, from

miss a beat. "Ah, the infamous unsolicited advice. Yeah, I get that. From everyone, right? Like they think you don't know what you're doing just because you're pregnant.

Zoe had a way of putting things into perspective. "Thanks, Zoe.

let anyone get under your skin. You're in charge of your

me, I'm doing my best

respect them, well...

and trust yourself. You're doing the best

Zoe's words, and for her support

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