If Only

Four

Charlotte Bartlett

1 month later, September

I woke up to the aroma of coffee. Usually, that smell would delight me, but today, it didn't; instead, it nauseated me. Each morning, I'd have an iced coffee to get my day started, and Grace would have it ready by the time I got out of bed.

The smell was so intoxicating I felt myself getting queasy. Maybe it was because of the meeting with the big investors today. But I felt the need to vomit or pass out.

Getting out of bed, I took a deep breath as my feet pressed the cold ground. I could hear Grace singing the lyrics to Carolina by Harry Styles moving around the kitchen.

She was up first in the mornings. Grace was a psychiatrist at a private practice in New York, and she had to be at work at 7:30. She'd usually make breakfast for herself and sometimes for Megan and me if she had time.

A knock came at the front door, and Grace went to it. I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

"I know she's here, Grace," I heard distantly as a sharp pain slashed through my heart from the sound of his voice.

"She's busy, and she's moved on," Grace said protectively.

"What do you mean she's moved on? Charlotte, babe, come on, I know you're home." The sound of his voice made me fume. I felt the warm tears trickle down my eyes

Carter was at the door. After a month he finally shows up at my door, there is no way I'm putting up with this shit. Knowing Grace would handle it, I took off my clothes and showered. I heard the door slam, and then the lock click.

I stepped into the shower, letting the warm water embrace my back and letting go through my hair. I turned to my front and screeched.

"Char, are you okay?" Grace yelled as I stepped back from the streaming water.

"All good, just my boobs hurt" my nipples killed like a son of a bitch. I cupped my boobs and continued to shower "ow, ow, ow" I repeated as the discomfort grew. Why do they hurt so bad?

I exited the shower and dried myself off with a towel, gently dabbing it around my chest. I grabbed a white shirt with black tailored pants and black pumps.

As I entered the kitchen, a wave hit me. "Oh god," I immediately turned away, rushing straight back to my bathroom.

Grace rushed in, following behind as I landed on the bathroom floor, quickly pulling my hair back and ensuring I didn't mess up my clothes.

Her hand grazed my back "Hey, what's going on?" She asked, holding my hair for me, and she soothed my back.

I rested my face on the seat. "I think it's the nerves of my father and the investors today." I took deep breaths, got up to brush my teeth, and fixed myself again. "You're fine, and you look fabulous." Grace's face looked concerned, but she went back into the kitchen.

"If you need me to come get you, let me know, and Carter is gone. Told the son of a bitch to get lost," she pecked my cheek "Good luck today."

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I entered the building as people observed me. Some stayed silent, and some greeted me. There was one woman who I hoped not to see today because then my stomach would definitely throw a fit.

I tapped my black work bag, patiently waiting for the elevator to get to my floor. Soon, the doors opened. I entered and greeted people as I walked towards my office, to see an empty chair but new supplies and decorations at my assistant's desk.