In a Heartbeat Read online

  In a Heartbeat

  Adina D. Grey

  Contents

  Appreciation

  Chapter 1

  Maddison

  Chapter 2

  Jace

  Chapter 3

  Maddison

  Chapter 4

  Jace

  Chapter 5

  Maddison

  Chapter 6

  Jace

  Chapter 7

  Maddison

  Chapter 8

  Jace

  Chapter 9

  Maddison

  Chapter 10

  Jace

  Chapter 11

  Maddison

  Chapter 12

  Jace

  Chapter 13

  Maddison

  Chapter 14

  Jace

  Chapter 15

  Maddison

  Chapter 16

  Jace

  Chapter 17

  Maddison

  Chapter 18

  Jace

  Chapter 19

  Maddison

  Chapter 20

  Jace

  Chapter 21

  Maddison

  Chapter 22

  Jace

  Chapter 23

  Maddison

  Chapter 24

  Jace

  Chapter 25

  Maddison

  Chapter 26

  Jace

  Chapter 27

  Maddison

  Chapter 28

  Jace

  About the Author

  Also by Adina D. Grey

  Copyright © 2021 by Adina D. Grey

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Appreciation

  Special thanks to my family: my husband, son, and mother-in-law, who have been incredibly patient and supportive, and forgiving of my absences in this crazy period. Your love and support mean everything to me.

  To my lovely sprinting group, Ready, Steady, Sprint, my writing evenings would be so dull without you girls. Thank you for always being there for your support and advice.

  To my readers, thank you. For giving it a go and read it, and for making this creative journey worth the while. I hope you enjoy it as much as I intended.

  Chapter 1

  Maddison

  “You have to move, Maddie. You can’t live with the fear that he’ll find you. You were lucky today. He just pushed you. But tomorrow?”

  “The police are taking care of it, Lorie. I can’t leave home and work and just move.”

  Lorie snorts, getting up from the sofa and pacing back and forth. “They’re taking care of it, you say? It’s the second time he’s tried to hurt you this month. Trust me, please. At work, they’ll understand. If you need money for a new house, I’ll help you.”

  “Money isn’t a problem, Lorie, but where should I go?”

  She stares at me, then takes out her cellphone and smiles. “Give me a letter, without thinking about it, the first one that comes to your mind.”

  “I don’t know. N.”

  She starts typing on her phone and smiles. “Here you are. Nanteville. It’s a beautiful town in New Hampshire, not too far from here but safe and small.”

  “I don’t know, Lorie…” I say as I try to get up from the sofa. The pain in my side takes my breath away. “Okay, if it has a hospital, I can be transferred there. Tomorrow, I’ll start looking for a house.”

  “No need. I just filed a request with the real estate agent on your behalf. With the characteristics of this house, more or less.”

  “Thanks, Lorie. You’re an angel.”

  “I know, but now let’s go to the ER. I don’t like seeing you in pain.”

  “I just need some ice, and I’ll be fine.”

  “Get your ice and your jacket, and let’s go to the hospital. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

  I give up. “Okay,” I reply, sighing.

  Chapter 2

  Jace

  “Jace, man, you need to slow down. Take a break!”

  “I’ll do it, I promise!” I say, stopping the treadmill.

  “So, you have a new neighbor now?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve seen the real estate agent there often these two days.”

  “If he sells the house, you’d know. They can’t do it without telling you. It’s yours.”

  “Yes, I know, but I’m also curious.”

  “Go home, Jace! How is Natalie?”

  “She’s still with her mother. She says she needs time.”

  “Time? What for? When is the due date?”

  “I think there are a couple of weeks left. Apparently, she’s confused and doesn’t feel ready for a family.”

  “She should have thought about that before you two decided to have a baby.”

  “Yeah, I told her, but apparently she has other ambitions. I’m tired, Chris. I’ve been fighting with this shit for months now. This situation is killing me.”

  “I know. We’re always here for you.”

  “Thanks, bro! Okay, I’m going home.”

  “See you tomorrow, and try to sleep.”

  I raise my thumb and get in the car.

  How the fuck did we get to this point?

  While I’m heading home, the real estate agent calls me.

  “Hello?”

  “Mr. O’Neill, I’m calling to inform you that we have had an offer for your house. The buyer would be willing to take it right away. From what I understand, she’d like to move as soon as possible.”

  “That’s great.”

  “Can you come to the agency?”

  “Sure, I’m on my way. See you later.”

  * * *

  I would have expected a ridiculous offer like the previous ones. Still, I was surprised to find that she offered only $10,000 less than the selling price. We signed the papers. I find it odd that Ms. Wyatt didn’t come in person to sign, but it’s none of my business about why she chose a tight deal.

  * * *

  As soon as I open the door, I go home, and all the loneliness hits me like a slap. I pick up the phone and send a text to Natalie:

  ‘Hi, Nat. How are you feeling today?’

  I’m heading to the shower. I already know that she’ll answer only when she feels like it. If it weren’t for my daughter, the one she carried in her womb, I would have told Natalie to go fuck herself. I’m almost 35 years old, and I don’t need to play games. I want a family.

  I get into bed when my phone light up.

  ‘I’m a whale. The baby kicks more and more and doesn’t let me sleep. What do you say? How can I feel, huh?’

  ‘Nat, come home. We can go through this period together.’

  ‘Jace, I’m not coming home! It’s over. Stop trying to sweeten this truth. IT’S OVER!’

  I have a bad taste in my mouth, not because I have feelings for her, but because I want a united family for my daughter. I’m afraid that she’ll take her away from me.

  ‘Nat, I’m not giving up on the baby, and if you try to keep her away from me, I’ll drop hell on you!’

  She doesn’t answer anymore. Despite several attempts to call her, the bitch doesn’t pick up my call.

  Fuck my life!

  Chapter 3

  Maddison

  “Jesus, Maddie, what happened to you?” Julie, my boss, asks me as she walks into the ER.

  “Hi, Julie. I had an unpleasant encounter with Mathew.”

  She looks at the hematoma on my side, shaking her head. “When you need the police, they’re never there.”

  I
shrug. “Listen, Julie. I’ve decided to get transferred. Unfortunately, I don’t feel safe here anymore.”

  “I see, hon. Neonatology won’t be the same without you. Do you know where you’re going?”

  “Yes, Nanteville.”

  She looks puzzled. When I explain that it’s in New Hampshire, she smiles. “I’ll submit the request today. Rest as much you can.”

  “Thanks, Julie. I’ll do that.”

  “We’ll miss you. If you want to come back here, give me a call.”

  “Thank you, and I’ll miss you.”

  * * *

  I leave the hospital with a cracked rib and several bruises on my body. I make a stop at the police station, taking the report with me and explaining to them that I’m moving to Nanteville. They promise to inform the local authorities of my situation and the restraining order against Mathew.

  When I get home, the agency sends me some photos of the new house. It’s perfect. I Google “Nanteville,” and I like it. I make my offer, and I’m amazed when the seller accepts it. The house is worth much more. I sign the contract, and that’s it!

  Nanteville, I’m on my way!

  I organize the move. I have a week to disappear from Philadelphia, and it will be a rush.

  * * *

  Three days later, I’m driving to Nanteville. It will be a long journey, but I’ll be safe there.

  It’s 4 in the morning when I park the car in front of the house. The agent left my keys in the mailbox. I would never have done that. That’s why I traveled as fast as possible to get here.

  I turn on the lights, and I’m amazed. The house has been cleaned. On the table, in the living room, is a bottle of wine with a card: “Welcome home, Ms. Wyatt. Estate Luxury.”

  I smile. It’s a nice gesture.

  * * *

  When the van arrives with all my stuff and furniture, I’m relieved. While the boys unload the stuff and help me sort it, I get a visit from some neighbors, who welcome me.

  * * *

  I finish sorting all my boxes, and I’m exhausted. I decide to call Lorie to find out how she is.

  “Hi, Maddie. How nice to hear from you. How are you?”

  “Hi, Lorie. I’m fine, a little tired. I’ve sorted it all, and now I was thinking of going to sleep. I want to take a walk around the town tomorrow and see the hospital.”

  “You’re a monster. You have to rest!”

  “Now I have two days to do it. Don’t worry. Is there any news?”

  “About Mathew? Nope, everything is calm.”

  “Fine. How are you?”

  “I’m fine. I’m getting ready to have dinner with Ayden.”

  “Ooh, I want the details!”

  “Count on it, sweetie. I’ll finish getting ready. Get some rest, hon!”

  “I will. Enjoy your evening!”

  I put the phone on charge and go downstairs to get some water and order a pizza. I absolutely have to go for groceries tomorrow.

  * * *

  When the pizza arrives, I hear the neighbor arguing over the phone with someone on his way home.

  “She’s my daughter, Natalie. I have every right to see her grow up!”

  I see the delivery guy stalling, and I feel embarrassed because I don’t want to eavesdrop on the neighbor’s call.

  “Fuck you; I’ve had enough. You’ll hear from my lawyer.”

  He ends the call and throws a punch at the door that makes me wince. I lock the door and eat pizza while reading news about this city.

  Chapter 4

  Jace

  I’ve had enough, and I can’t stand it anymore. Natalie pushed me to the limit. I spent the night rolling over in bed.

  I pick up the phone and call Chris, my friend, and brother since childhood.

  “Jace, tell me it’s life or death. I swear, if you woke me up at 5 am just because you can’t sleep, I’m going to hit you.”

  Fuck, I didn’t realize the time.

  “Sorry, Chris. I have a problem, and I need you and Ashley. It’s about Natalie.”

  “We’re on our way.” When the call ends, I feel like an idiot. I feel like crying at the thought of losing the baby.

  * * *

  Half an hour later, I hear the doorbell ring.

  “Hi, guys. I’m sorry about the time.”

  “Give me some coffee, and I forgive you,” Ashley says, hugging me.

  Chris and Ashley have been together since we were in school together. They’re inseparable, and they love each other. I envy them, but I love them because they’re my family.

  “I just made it. Let’s go to the kitchen. I made some pancakes, too.”

  We sit in the kitchen, and after a long sip of coffee, Ashley stares at me.

  “What’s going on, Jace?”

  “In short, Natalie has decided that she wants to go to Los Angeles. I have less and less news from her, not that I care, but I also have little news about the pregnancy. Yesterday she was having a check-up, and I wanted to be there, but she said she canceled it. She didn’t tell me when the baby’s due or how the baby is. “

  “I told you I didn’t like her! Is she going to ask you to give up on your fatherhood?”

  “I don’t know, but I want my daughter!”

  “I can send her a letter letting her know that she can’t exclude you from the child’s life. It’ll be just a warning.”

  “Okay, thank you. What chance would I have of getting custody of my daughter?”

  “It depends on how much she fights for the baby. Mothers are usually favored unless they don’t have a job or home, if they have health problems, or if they’re into drugs.”

  “Fuck!”

  “I’m sorry, Jace. Let’s start with this warning and see how it goes.”

  “Okay.”

  We have breakfast together, and I tell them that I’ve sold the property next door. When I decided to buy the properties, I wanted to make some changes and turn them into a single spacious home where my children would play and grow up. But then I gave up on that idea and decided to put the other home up for sale.

  “I think Ms. Wyatt has already moved in. I didn’t go to welcome her to the neighborhood, and I’m feeling guilty.”

  “You’ll have time, and you have other things on your mind. Now we have to go to work. Come on!”

  I finish cleaning the kitchen and go out with them. It will be a long day.

  Chapter 5

  Maddison

  A week has passed, and I feel more comfortable, both here in the city and at work. They’re all so friendly. After a double shift, I really need a bed and a lot of sleep.

  “Dr. Wyatt, how are you feeling here with us?”

  “Very good, Dr. Dawson, thank you.”

  “You’ve been here with us for a week, and you’ve already started the double shifts. Everyone here hates them.”

  “They’re often tiring, but it’s nice to know that you’re helping people.”

  “Be careful. Don’t be too perfect, or the others will get jealous!”

  We burst out laughing because we both know it’s a joke. He says goodbye and goes back to work.

  I look at my watch. I’ll finish my shift in an hour. I walk around the NICU as I pass a woman who has been discharged with her baby. I greet her. I’m going into the room of a new mother who’s still struggling to get her baby to breastfeed. I’m not usually the one who handles something like that, but I do it willingly if I can help.

  The hour passes quickly. Finally, I can go home. I need to sleep.

  * * *

  On the way home, I stop for groceries. When I enter the driveway, I smile, turn off the engine, and sigh.

  Home sweet home.

  I’m about to open the front door when a desperate cry catches my attention. It comes from next door.

  Not your problem, Maddie. You have to go to sleep. Parents always know what to do.

  * * *

  I take the groceries inside and put them away. Then I realize that I left my bag in
the car. I go to pick it up. On my way back to the house, the cry becomes more and more desperate. I can’t resist and go to the neighborhood.

  Chapter 6

  Jace

  I’ve barely slept in these six damn days. Natalie doesn't answer messages or calls. I went to her house, but no one answered. I’m pissed off, disappointed, and scared.

  Training today was hard and heavy. I've been doing it for years, and it has never exhausted me like today. Returning home, I see a basket in front of the door. When I get closer, I see little hands moving. My heart almost stops. Is this a fucking joke? I think about Chris's joke, but when the little girl starts crying, I go inside the house, taking her with me. I place the basket on the table and take her in my arms. I see a folder sticking out from under the cover with a letter:

  "Jace,

  I’m too young to be a mother. You wanted to have a child, and I did it to you. I've thought about it, and in the end, it's not worth giving up on my future for her. We never talked about the baby's name, but I know your mom was called Emily, and I thought that would be the right name. You have all the documents from the baby's hospital. In the folder are documents that renunciate my parenthood.