Secret Heartbeats

POINT

ing in for an episode of The Real Housewives of New York. Today, I

y unbearable. Instead, I have chosen to submerge my woes in a s

from the world. There are days when solitude is a necessit

the silence, and an inter

arth coul

the device. Stephen's na

eeted him, so

e radar today. Is everything alright?

y. "Yes, I am

y place. We are announcing my engagement

e you actually p

rehension. I yearn for his happiness,

you envio

, he is my dearest friend, and the noble course would be to stand

ake it,"

ful, An

you

l." The

ude in my apartment. My phone

in ten. Off the sofa

edroom, which, like my office, reflects my im

home, shared with my siblings who were eighteen and seventeen at the ti

jeans, complementing the outfit with a cozy, loosely knit cardigan. I released my hair from

d to the living room, wondering why I was suddenly so popular. To my surpr

sciously avoiding the more formal 'Mrs. Ki

and could really use your assistance," s

s the m

e alternatives just do not meet Olivia's standards. She

nterview lined u

ponse, uncertai

her Chris's parents' anniversary

der any longer; her

an

even earned a certificate from an online course. Yet, the question remained: could I organize an event that reopened

I will

arly! I'll se

e popped up, indic

ing the button for the ground floor. As the doors closed,

Rose inquired, concern in her voice

en's engagement celebration," I mutter, sc

g," she explode

o leap out of this vehicle," I warn her, my glar

humorous, and a tad a

ed to make a detour at the Kings

ing feat given we only had four hours until the party. Arriving at the Kings estate, I was surprised

mother descends th

r collection," I assure the bake

world to us," she say

g together nicely with gold streamers and black balloons adornin

m-to-be, his hair slicked back in a rebellious fashion. His eyes scan me from head to to

our name!" She approaches, of

since we left your apartment." I am about to shake my hea

n snatches the phone from my hand,

She will ring you back," he dec

I demand, but he ignores my question, ta

gests, presenting th

Rose exclaims, darti

eed

glance at him and take the bottle, gulping d

shiver running through me. N

I want my

es, glancing at his wristwatch. It has been a constant companion on his left wrist since we

hours," he says wi

o tailor your suit?" I inquir

e confirms

done," I repl

n," I say wi

ice is unmista

greets me with a d

acknowledge

ists, clutching Stephen's arm tig

s, but Olivia is alre

as she comes over and drapes

ing with his father. Stephen's smile seems forced, but he claims he i

l woes, does it not?" I chuckl

er's voice cuts through the a

replies, approachin

ent. And Anna, what color will your dre

whisper, sidestepping the silent

e recognized the need to clarify that his tie should not be the

lly, I

ally every other evening," I murmur, barely audible. Our eyes

or Stephen. My mistake," s

of our joint presence at events. The idea of him coordinating

na," Rose urges, g

elated with our gowns, footwear, and th

s is to endure the e