"Any plans for today, Star?" Walter asked after taking a slow sip of his tea. He had been coming to visit me every morning since that day at the hospital.
It had been a few days now since I arrived at the hotel. I had thought I would leave after the first night, but I lost my nerve. The fear of going back home still clung to me like a shadow.
"Oh, I don't think so," I said quietly. "I'll probably just do what I've been doing all this time. Take a nap."
Lie on my bed. Stare at the ceiling. Think of every possible worst thing that could happen. My mind had become my worst enemy, replaying everything I had done wrong, everything I could not change. I did not tell him that part. I already knew what he would say.
"Maybe I could go window shopping," I added after a moment. "There's a baby store around the corner, and they have a car seat I've been wanting to get for a while. I've been saving up for it, but I'm still a bit short." I brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
"You're low on money?" His brow furrowed, as if he did not believe what he had just heard.
The question embarrassed me. I looked down at my hands, twisting my fingers together. "Yeah. The company hasn't been doing well. It's not Adrian's fault. It's just life, I guess."
"Really?" he asked, his tone unreadable.
"Yes," I said quickly, wondering why he kept looking at me that way. It was almost like he already knew something I didn't.
"Star," he said carefully, "even if the company is struggling, you have other assets. We could liquidate a few if we needed to. After I found out you were pregnant, I even started thinking we could set up a trust fund for your baby."
"I mean, Adrian and I would work on that," I muttered under my breath, pretending to sound casual.
He studied me for a long moment. "I've been meaning to ask you this, Star. Why do you live like you're poor?"
"What?" I said, incredulous.
"It's true that people who suddenly come into money sometimes lose sight of things and spend carelessly, but you're doing the opposite. Even most working-class families live better than you do."
"I don't agree with that, Mr. Walter. We have a house, and it's large enough for Adrian and his relatives. We have cars too."
"Yet somehow," he said evenly, "you still take the bus."
"That's because I can't drive," I said quietly.
He smiled faintly, but there was no amusement in his eyes. The silence that followed stretched between us, heavy and uncomfortable.
The truth was, I had never questioned it before. Adrian had always said there was no need for me to drive, that it was dangerous, that he would handle everything. I had believed him without hesitation. But for the first time, I began to wonder why.
"Hiring a driver is an option most people consider," Walter said after a pause. "You would be offering someone a job, and you could easily afford it. So why do you walk and wait by the bus stop when you could probably afford to buy the bus company?"
"I… I can afford that?"
His expression shifted, the kindness still there but roughened by concern. "Star, have you even looked at your assets? The documents? Do you have them?"
"They're too complicated," I admitted quietly. "Adrian says he can handle them for me."
Walter leaned back in his chair, his voice softening. "Star, do you no longer have dreams? Things you want to do? You could go back to school. I could get you a teacher to help you learn the business. You're smart, and I know you could move into a management position one day. I think your parents would want to see you running your own company."
"No, I mean… I do have dreams," I said slowly, "but I'm going to be a mother."
"And that is wonderful," he said, smiling warmly. "But that is not the same as having dreams. I know you'll be an amazing mother, but even mothers have dreams. Your child will grow up with dreams of their own. You can lead by example."
His words sat with me for a moment. I had never thought of it that way before.
"I guess I hadn't really thought about that," I said softly.
He smiled, his eyes gentle. "Then I'm glad I was able to make you see things differently. A penny of thought never goes to waste."
"I should be going," he said, glancing at his watch. "I have an appointment, but before I do, if you ever need anything, call me. Even if you want me to check how the company is doing or review your assets. I can do that for you."
"I'm really glad you stopped by," I said sincerely. "But please, I trust Adrian. He's always working hard for us."
He smiled faintly and reached into his jacket pocket. "Here's my card, Star. Buy the car seat." He pressed the card into my palm.
"I couldn't possibly—"
"Please, Star," he said firmly but kindly. "I don't have any family of my own or much to spend on. Whatever you need will hardly make a dent in that account. There's no limit there."
"But—"
"If nothing else, keep it for emergencies," he said, standing. "Take care of yourself, Star."
"Thank you again," I said, holding the card carefully in my hands as he left.
After he was gone, I sat in the quiet suite, staring up at the intricate ceiling. It felt more like an apartment than a hotel room. They brought me healthy food three times a day, and a nurse came by each morning to check my vitals.
I had never stayed anywhere this luxurious in my life. I had also never stayed anywhere this long without doing any housework.
I wondered if they missed me at home.
I really hoped they did.
Even though I was comfortable here, I still could not shake the sadness and emptiness that followed me everywhere. It felt like they would move on without me. That if I stayed too long, they would forget about me.
And then there was me, still waiting for Adrian to look for me. I had never done anything like this before. Surely this would get his attention, right?
At first, the stupid part of me thought he would come after that night in the hospital. I still didn't have my old phone, but Walter had gotten me a new one. I knew Adrian's number by heart, so I texted him my address, telling him I was safe and that we could talk if he wanted to.
There had been no reply.
I told myself the message must have gone to spam since it came from an unknown number. That lie was easier to hold on to than the truth.
I had been away for almost a week. They would come looking for me soon. They had to.
The phone on the bedside table rang, the sound sharp in the quiet room. I picked it up.
"Mrs. Star Vale," the voice at the front desk said politely, "you have a visitor here to see you. They are on your approved list."
My heart jumped. The only people on that list were Walter and Adrian.
"Yes, please let them in," I said quickly.
Adrian. He had finally come. Maybe he wanted to talk. Maybe he was ready to listen, ready to see things from my side. Our baby was coming soon. I wanted us to be better for her, to raise her in a home that wasn't filled with tension and silence.
If I could protect her, if I could make sure she grew up knowing that her father, her grandparents, and her aunt loved her, then that would be enough for me.
Calm down, Star. I just have to communicate. I just have to pray he listens.
The doorbell chimed.
I opened the door, my heart pounding.
Disappointment hit me so suddenly that it made my breath catch.