Page 57 of It Must Be Fate

As I try not to let my mind roam to the time before that, when I walked into a similar hospital wing with a twin brother and walked out without one.

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Chapter Fifteen

Sixtine

Slowly, I blink my eyes open.

It’s more difficult than I expected, like I’m fighting my way through molasses just to lift my eyelids, but eventually I get them opened.

I appear to be laying on my back, outside somewhere. The ground is soft and damp beneath me. Above me, I see a thick line of treetops.

The sun peeks out through the leaves, illuminating the ground with beautiful rays of light. A quiet, peaceful sort of calm sweeps over me.

Where am I?

Where’s Phoenix?

Last thing I remember, I was in the hospital, about to give birth to our baby.

Placing a hand on my stomach, I’m surprised to find that it’s flat. There’s a soreness in my belly and body that I can’t explain, but other than that I’m not outwardly pregnant.

I sit up with a groan, massaging the muscles in my neck. My gaze moves from the tops of the trees down to inspect the forest around me.

With one look I realize where I am. I know these woods. I know them like the back of my hand.

Looking around me, I find what I expected to — I’m lying at the base of the treehouse my dad had designed and built for me when I was a child.

I’m home.

I’m home and I’m more confused than ever because I know I shouldn’t be here. I’m supposed to be in the hospital.

Is this some kind of fever dream?

A rustling sound sends a scared shiver down my spine, raising the hairs on the back of my neck in the process. I jump to my feet and turn with my fists held up, ready to take on whoever is trying to sneak up on me.

I realize I look ridiculous, but I won’t be caught unawares. My husband taught me better than that.

A figure emerges from behind the trees and my gaze collides with the trespasser’s.

My arms fall back to my sides in shock.

A soft, disbelieving whimper leaves my lips and I cover my mouth to muffle it. Tears immediately pool in my eyes, blurring my vision until I can’t see him anymore. I blink them away hastily, not wanting to lose sight of him, and kind eyes meet mine once more.

“Hi, ladybug.”

My shoulders slump forward when he speaks, my body overcome with emotion. I drop my face in my hands and sob tears of grief and joy combined.

He waits patiently as I wipe the tears off my cheeks with the palms of my hand, blinking a few times to make sure he’s still there.

That it’s really him.

His name leaves my lips almost like a prayer.

“Astor.”

He’s standing less than ten meters from me, as real to me as anyone has ever felt. But I know he’s not.

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