Wild Nights With My Brother’s Ex-Best Friend novel Chapter 100

NICOLE

I’ve had an awfut night, all thanks to Roman.

The circles under my eyes look even darker than my bruises, and as I stare into the mirror, I suddenly feel so tired that I grab the sides of the sink just to stay on my feet.

I have to visit Katie today, and I’m almost ready; the only thing left to do is apply my makeup and I’ll be good to go.

But suddenly, I have this feeling of just giving up. Do I really want her to see me in this state?

I’m so bitterly disappointed by how things turned out with Roman, but even more with the fact that my phone is dry and there’s not even a text or call from him.

How could he? He just left me after dropping the most destructive bomb right at my feet. He did this before, and I was stupid enough to think that this time would be different.

I just never learn, do I?

Maybe this is a punishment for always making the wrong decision.

And I hate how he framed the whole breakup like it’s the best thing for me. It should be my choice to stay on his side. How can he make such a decision for me?But whatever. What’s done is done and all I can do is focus. on what I’ll do with my life and by time, considering don’t have a job and my savings are…limited.

Mason left for work, so the apartment is empty. I make myself a slice of buttered toast, down some black coffee for good measure, and head out the door after lying to myself that my bruises aren’t visible under my makeup.

The drive to the hospital takes me a good thirty minutes, considering there’s a lot traffic during this time of the day. I go to the ward that Sebastian included in his text message, and then ask the secretary for information on Katie.

“Yes, she’s in room 305,” the woman confirms. “Just continue down this hallway, take a left, and you’ll find it.”

“Thanks.”

I hurry there, my sandals slapping against the floor.

There’s something about hospitals that will always give me the creeps. It reminds me of Ma and how she died, and now, it’s Katie who’s ill.

Someone’s sitting on the plastic chair right across from her door, and at the sound of my approach, the guy looks up. The sight of Sebastian’s face startles me because l didn’t recognize him from afar.

What happened to him?

He’s so…he’s lost so much weight. His cheeks are caved in.He stands up and smoothly slides a hand into the pocket of his dress pants. I already feel uneasy. Before I reach him, he greets, “Nicole, hi.”

“Hi.” I wrap my hand around the strap of my bag. “How are you?”

He shrugs. I still can’t believe he’s standing right in front of me. “As fine as I can be at a time like this. It’s been very difficult. She’s been hospitalized for about ten days now.

She’s only recently started asking for you.”

Ten days. Is this the reason why he’s so thin? No, it’s not enough time. “Right. I’m so sorry about that. Katie…she’s such a special person. I don’t know if I’m ready.”

My voice cracks at the end of my sentence and it hits me all at once-Katie’s dying and she’s someone I’ve always counted on. She’s always listened to my problems and given me advice. She’s always helped. Always.

Oh, God. What the hell is life?

My death was always inevitable and now, my time has come. There’s nothing to be sad about. I knew what would happen when I took the tests a few months ago. That’s not why I called you here. I wish our circumstances were better, but we can’t pick and choose when it comes to life.

This is where I’d always end up one way or another.”I can only nod because my throat is so tight. I’m sure that. if I try to say something I’m going to bawl my eyes out right here. I’m so heartbroken.

“I’m at peace with it,” she adds, tightening her grip on my hand lightly. She takes several deep breaths before she utters another word. “Nicole, l asked Sebastian to call you because there’s something important I have to tell you.

It’s about your mother.”

I nod, but my insides turn to jelly and nervousness washes over me. Why would she bring me all the way here to talk about my mother if it weren’t important?

I nod.

“What is it?”

Katie stares at me for a few beats, then says,

“We spoke a lot when we met, and we became very close. I’m sure you know this. Of course, you do. The point is that your mother confided in me, and she told me a lot of the things that weighed on her heart. And one of those things…Nicole, I’m sorry to have to say this to you, but John Monroe? He’s not your father. He’s only Mason’s father.”

I blink several times in confusion.

What?