CHAPTER TWO:Handsome Stranger
1191 Words
Arabella walked out of the hospital room with nothing but the clothes she had on and her phone. She had no clue where she was going but she needed to get away from these people. What a day! A day meant to be joyful became the most sorrowful. How she had had so much expectations for this day. How she had imagined what Everett would give her as a ‘push gift.’
People walked past her, nurses, patients, visitors, but no one looked twice at her. No one knew that her whole world had been ripped apart inside that building. No one knew her heart was bleeding in places no doctor could stitch.
They took everything.
The words echoed in her mind. Her baby. Her inheritance. Her family. Her love. All of it… gone.
Don’t cry… don’t… cry…
But her heart was too shattered to obey her.
She pushed the hospital door open and stepped outside. She didn’t feel her feet hitting the ground. She didn’t feel the breeze against her skin. Everything inside her felt numb, her vision wobbled as she walked. Her mind replayed Everett’s voice again and again.
‘You were nothing but a womb to us.’
Her throat tightened.
She blinked hard, trying to stop the tears that kept rising. The world around her was spinning. The afternoon sun hit her face, too bright, too harsh. She lifted a trembling hand to shield her eyes, but it did nothing to stop the tears that were building up like a dam about to break.
Where do I even go?
She took another step forward. Her vision was blurry.
Suddenly, she collided with something solid. Someone.
Strong hands caught her before she hit the ground. Firm but gentle. Steadied her.
“Oh….hey, I’m so sorry,” the man said, his voice low and steady.
Arabella blinked. She lifted her gaze, and the sight of him made her breath hitch, not because he was handsome (though he was), but because his eyes held something she desperately needed: concern. Real concern. Not curiosity. Not annoyance. Not judgment.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly, his brows furrowed with concern.
That question. Those three simple words. Are you okay?
Something inside Arabella shattered completely. She shook her head. Once. Twice. No words would come. Just violent shaking as her whole body began to tremble. And then the dam burst.
The man’s eyes widened. “Hey, hey, it’s alright… it’s okay,” he whispered.
Arabella covered her mouth as a sob broke out of her. Her knees wobbled again.
Without thinking, the man stepped closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to keep her steady.
“I’m right here,” he murmured. “It’s okay. You don’t have to stand alone.”
Those words shattered her last piece of strength. Her whole body shook as she broke down completely, crying loudly into his chest. Big, painful sobs that came from deep inside her.
The man didn’t move away, he didn’t push her off or ask questions. He just held her, firmly, steady and warm.
My baby. They took my baby.
The thought ripped through her, and she cried harder, her whole body shaking against him.
"Shh," he whispered. "Whatever happened, you're going to be okay. I promise."
How can I be okay? Arabella wanted to scream. How can anything ever be okay again? But she couldn't speak. She could only cry.
He guided her away from the walkway and toward a quiet corner near a wall where no one was passing. He sat her down on a low concrete edge and knelt in front of her, reached into his pocket and held out a clean handkerchief.
“You can use this,” he said softly.
Arabella took it with shaking fingers and wiped her eyes, but new tears kept replacing the old ones.
“I’m sorry…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I’m so sorry…”
“Don’t apologize,” he said gently. “Anyone can see you’re hurting. I’m glad I was here to help.” His voice was deep, calm and kind.
Arabella sniffed, wiping her nose with the handkerchief. She looked away, wiping her cheeks. She hated that she looked so weak. She hated that she was falling apart in front of a stranger. But he didn’t look annoyed or uncomfortable. He looked rather… worried. Genuinely worried.
After a moment, he asked quietly, “Do you… want to talk about it?”
Arabella shook her head fast. “No… no I can’t… not now. It… it hurts too much.”
“Okay,” he said, nodding. “Then don’t talk. Just breathe.”
She stared at the ground, whispering, “Thank you so much…I feel better now.”
They sat in silence for another moment before he spoke again.
"My name is Adrian," he said. "Adrian Palmer."
"Arabella." Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
Adrian smiled slightly. "That's a beautiful name."
Arabella almost laughed. Beautiful. Nothing about her felt beautiful right now. She felt destroyed. Empty.
Adrian glanced at her, then said in a gentle tone, “Where were you headed? I can take you. I don't feel right leaving you like this.” Arabella hesitated and he sensed it immediately.
But,the sincerity and genuine concern in his eyes made her chest tighten again.
“Okay,” she whispered. “I… I just need to get to my friend’s place. Rosa. She lives just across town.”
“Tell me the address,” he said gently.
She did.
Arabella stared at his outstretched hand. Strong. Steady. Offering help when she had none. She placed her hand in his and let him pull her gently to her feet. They walked slowly toward the parking lot. Adrian matched her pace, never pushing, never hurrying. His hand stayed on her arm, guiding her, supporting her.
When they reached his car, it was a sleek black sedan, he opened the passenger door for her and waited until she was settled before closing it gently. Arabella leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes.
The drive was quiet. Adrian didn't push her to talk. Didn't ask invasive questions. He just drove, occasionally glancing over to make sure she was okay.
They arrived at Rosa's apartment building twenty minutes later.
"Will you be okay?" he asked, genuine concern in his eyes.
Arabella nodded, though she wasn't sure if she believed it. Adrian reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "Can I have your number? Just so I can check on you later. Make sure you're alright."
Arabella hesitated. She'd just been destroyed by trusting someone. How could she trust again?
But Adrian's eyes held no deception. They were honest, open concern
She gave him her number.
He saved it immediately and smiled. "I'll call you tomorrow. Just to see how you're doing. If that's okay."
"That's okay," Arabella whispered.
Adrian nodded. Then, unexpectedly, he reached out and squeezed her hand gently.
"You're going to survive this, Arabella," he said firmly. "I don't know what happened. But I can see you're a fighter. You're going to make it through."
- Writer
