Chapter 19

Arabella and Maverick walked side by side toward the exit. People they passed couldn't help but stare, whispering about how perfect they looked together. Standing behind the pillar, Heidi heard every word of praise. She felt like a rat hiding in a gutter, like something that couldn't come forward in the light. She lowered her gaze to the prescription slip in her hand, then pressed a palm to her still-spasming stomach. Arabella ate healthy food that people waited in line for, while Heidi fought off a cold and went hungry. Maverick wasn't incapable of loving someone. He just didn't love Heidi. Heidi stayed behind the pillar for a long time. Only after their figures disappeared through the revolving doors did she finally step out, walk to the counter, and collect her medicine. … Back at Parkview Court, the heating was on full blast, yet she still felt cold. Heidi took her medicine, tucked the rest into a drawer, then sat on the couch, staring into space. At 3:00 pm, the lock beep