Chapter 9: A Life Rewritten with Fate
627 Words
Time didn’t stop.
It didn’t pause to ask if she was ready.
It didn’t wait for her to figure everything out.
It simply moved, even faster than she imagined.
And so did Alice.
Months piled on months were nothing compared to what she had envisioned.
They were harder.
Lonelier.
But in the midst of them all, she became stronger and more determined.
There were days she felt like she was barely holding it together.
Days, the weight of everything pressed so heavily on her chest that breathing felt like work.
But she never broke.
Because every time she thought she might.
She remembered why she couldn’t.
“Careful,” Audrey said, watching her closely.
“You’re doing too much again.”
Alice glanced up from her laptop, a faint smile touching her lips.
“I’m fine.” She said sharply.
“Exactly the words of people right before they pass out”, Audrey muttered, being careful with her words, her arms crossed.
Alice let out a soft breath, leaning back slightly.
“I just need to finish this.”
Your exact choice of words, “You said that two hours ago.”
A small pause, followed by a smile.
Then Alice closed the laptop.
A slow “ok.. okay”, she admitted. “Maybe I need a break.”
Audrey scoffed, Maybe?”
Alice smiled faintly, shaking her head.
“Alright. I definitely do.”
Life had forced her to adjust.
To grow.
To become someone she hadn’t planned to be this soon.
Independent, Focused.
Unbreakable in ways she didn’t even realize she could be.
And through it all—
She wasn’t alone; her favorite people were with her.
Bills stayed, always reassuring her how she’s handling everything well and Steady.
Unchanging.
“You’ve been extremely alone and quiet,” he said one evening, sitting across from her.
Alice looked up, slightly distracted.
“Just thinking.”
“About him?” Bills asked carefully.
A pause.
Then—
“No.”
And for the first time.
She meant it.
Months turned into something more.
And then, the day came.
It was early.
Too early.
“Audrey—” Alice’s voice came out strained, sharp pain causing her grip to tighten around the edge of the bed. “I think—”
“I know,” Audrey said quickly, already moving. “Just breathe, okay? You’re okay.”
Alice nodded, though nothing about this felt okay.
Everything felt overwhelming.
Too much.
Too fast.
“Bills!” Audrey called out.
“I’m here!” his voice came from the other room, footsteps rushing closer.
The next few hours blurred together.
Voices, Movement, Pain.
And then—
Silence.
Not empty, not heavy.
But full.
A soft sound broke through it.
Small, Fragile, Alive.
Alice’s breath caught as she looked down, her vision slightly blurred as everything slowly came into focus.
The baby.
Her baby.
Tears filled her eyes before she could stop them, her hand trembling slightly as she reached out.
“Hi…” she whispered, her voice breaking just a little.
Everything else faded.
The past, the pain.
The unanswered questions.
None of it mattered in that moment.
Everything became genuine.
Across the city—
Edwin Gulter signed another contract.
Closed another deal.
Moved forward with a life that hadn’t changed.
Or so it seemed to take a pause.
Because even in the middle of everything—
There were moments.
Brief, Unwelcome, Where something felt.
Off.
Unfinished.
But he never stopped long enough to figure out why.
Back in the quiet room—
Alice held her child close, her heart steady in a way it hadn’t been in a long time.
“I’ve got you,” she whispered gently.
And this time—
There was no doubt.
- Writer
