Chapter 26: The Backup Secretary
Natalie~
The atmosphere in the boutique dressing room felt suffocating—not because of the lavish surroundings or the staff’s unending lies about how each dress I tried on was made for me, but because my mind wouldn’t stop spinning. Garrick had left the hospital without so much as a goodbye, and no matter how I tried to push the thoughts away, they clung to me like a shadow.
Why would he leave like that? Was he better now? Or was something wrong? I thought we had bonded during our stay at the shelter. He had listened to me, encouraged me when I felt lost, and yet... he had left without a single word. No indication that he was okay. Why? Had I been nothing more than a fleeting acquaintance to him? My heart sank deeper with every question I couldn’t answer.
"Miss, this one!" one of the women chirped, holding up a flowing blue dress. Her enthusiasm barely registered with me as I nodded absentmindedly.
"Absolutely, that color will bring out her eyes," another added, stepping forward with jewelry to match.
The women fluttered around me like bees, their voices buzzing with excitement. They seemed determined to find the perfect outfit, as if disappointing this "Mr. Cole Lucky" they kept mentioning would be a personal failure. I wanted to ask if they were referring to Zane, but I couldn’t summon the courage. Something about their admiration of the man that made me hesitate.
A sweet, impatient voice interrupted my thoughts. "Mommy Natalie, are you done yet? I wanna see!"
I smiled despite my mood. Alexander’s eagerness was a balm for my frazzled nerves.
"Not yet, sweetheart," I called back, my voice soft. "Just a little longer."
"Okay, but hurry up! I want to show Daddy too!" he shouted back, his little voice full of excitement.
The women giggled, charmed by his innocence.