One Last Try

After booking the tickets, it was already late and Rory decided to go to sleep. She should get at least seven hours of sleep lest she gets sleep paralysis.

Studies… Impossible today too…

She hated waking up unable to breathe and unable to move, to see a dark figure lurking in the corner.

She shivered at that thought.

After checking on the baby, she turned off the table light and went to bed. The light from the streetlights passed through the thin curtains and illuminated the room with a gentle light. The rain has let up. In the silence of the dark, every little sound around her was amplified and her mind stayed awake.

She heard the sound of heavy footsteps on the road and laughter along with the splashes of water. Some people were chatting and laughing. They probably are the students returning home with their friends. There is a park that is the favorite date spot for teenagers in this area.

She used to be as careless and wild as them not so long ago. But now…

There was the sound of a police siren in the distance which was a common occurrence here. A little while later, the night shift of the garment factory a block away from them was over and she heard the noises of the workers leaving.

She tried to sleep. But she couldn't. She didn't like this feeling. She wondered if she should just rip the bandaid off and tell her grandmother the truth.

She has thought about it a lot. But she would chicken out when she talks to her grandmother. She decided to tell the truth this time, for sure.

Her grandmother will not accept it. She would shout at her and call her names. Her grandmother loves Fitzwilliam better than her. And she will blame her for the divorce.

At least her grandmother won't ask her to visit her again. Then she can leave this country for good.

Hey! That's a good idea! I'll tell the truth, grandma will throw me out, and I can leave the country. Hurray!

But…

Even the thought of being truthful was scary for her. But she has to do it. It is part of being an adult.

Man, adult-ing is harder than I thought! Responsibilities suck!

She turned to her side hearing slight ruffles from the crib. She pushed the duvet aside and got to Ellie. It is her feeding time. And this is the one responsibility she would take on without any complaints—her adorable baby.

After feeding and burping her baby, she laid back on the bed making sure the baby is asleep. She stared at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. After a while, she slept unknowingly.

She had disturbed sleep. She woke up to the babble of Ellie. She must be hungry.

Rory's brain was alert and she wanted to open her eyes, but her body was still tired to open her eyes. Her hands were to her sides and she didn't want to move.

Her closed eyelids looked grey and she knew it is the break of dawn.

Ellie babbled kicking her legs and Rory opened her eyes with difficulty. She was sure she saw a spherical, dark figure, darting across her window in her peripheral vision. Her heart started to beat fast. She flinched, and her eyes opened wide wiping off the sleepiness.

She sat on the bed and let out a deep breath patting her chest. This is the first floor! That cannot be a person.

She is a very fearful person and she is used to seeing dark figures which are not been there since her childhood.

Well, when she was married—when they shared a bed—she wouldn't get scared like this. But she cannot get back together with him for this reason.

He does not want her.

After feeding and burping Ellie, she tried to make her fall asleep again, but Ellie just was not falling asleep. Rory wanted to sleep a bit more but Ellie's weird smile let her know that she needs her diaper changed.

After cleaning her up, Rory let Ellie lie on the bed with her and decided to sleep for a while. The baby would be safe on the bed.

Rory tried to sleep, but knowing that the baby is not asleep, she couldn't sleep either.

She gave up on sleeping further.

"Don't be a scaredy-cat like your mommy, alright, Ellie?" she said poking the little button nose of the little munchkin.

Ellie laughed showing her toothless mouth. Her stubby little hands waved and she kicked her legs.

"You like this, don't you?" Rory asked, and dabbed her finger on the baby's nose once again only for the baby to laugh once more.

Aww… she's so adorable… Look at her laugh! And how nice she smells… I want to eat her.

She played with the baby for some time lying on the bed.

"Da da…Tha da…Gha…Goo…"

Ellie started babbling waving her stubby little hands.

"Seriously, Ellie?" Rory kissed those little fingers. "You don't say mama, but you say dada first? Do you want him?"

Her eyes stung as she tried to swallow back her tears. She should not be feeling guilty but she does.

Maybe I should try one last time?

-----

Current time:

LR Holdings

Sitting on the soft couch in the most luxurious reception she has ever been to, Aurora tapped on her knees.

She does not need a husband, but Ellie should know her father. They should try and become friends. They can never become close as they once were, but they can try to be on speaking terms, at least, for Ellie's sake.

If he does not want to take care of his daughter, he can sign off on his rights as a parent.

Even then, he has to take responsibility for their divorce and be with her when she reveals the truth to her grandmother. Or not.

She has a reason she wants him to be with her to reveal the truth. She thought he might tell her grandmother why he wanted the divorce. Because he never told her. Come to think of it, he hasn't given her the divorce certificate yet.

She wants to know the reason for his hate before she leaves this country forever. She wants closure.

She thought she has to create a scene to meet with him, but the receptionist sent her to the executive floor in the VIP elevator after talking with his office.

When she got here, she was welcomed with respect and was asked to wait until he finishes with his meeting.

And so, here she is waiting… for five whole minutes. Things didn't go as she thought they would. And it made her nervous.

Mia is babysitting Ellie. She has to return within two hours to feed Ellie. Ellie does not like the bottle. So she only has half an hour to spare here. With the traffic in the city, it would be an hour and a half commute to her café.

Her stomach started to rumble out of nervousness. It has been more than nine months since she talked to him. The last time they talked, they ended up fighting.

But judging by how she is treated here… She started getting hopeful.

She clasped her hands together tightly. She sat like that for another three minutes staring at the vase on the coffee table when a sweet voice snapped her out of her reverie.

"Ms. Roberts..?"

The woman wearing a silk shirt and pencil skirt spoke her name as a question.

"Mr. Liam Roberts will see you now."

Rory looked at her with a smile and with a nod, she stood up.

Here goes nothing!