Chapter 70

We were leaving in two weeks, and I had to break the news to my other clients. The hardest was StarRise. She was my biggest client aside from Arthur, and even though it had been challenging, I had a great time working with her. She was a lot of fun to style.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving me,” she said for the millionth time since I’d told her.

“I know, but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.”

She nodded. “It’s going to be so huge for your career!”

“Yeah, hopefully.”

She elbowed me lightly. “I’m sad, but also super happy for you. They can exist at the same time.”

“Thank you,” I said.

I finished her blush and took a step back to survey her face. We went with the galaxy theme again, and she looked like a night sky. Little white stars dotted the tops of her cheeks, and a blend of deep blues and purples coated her eyelids. Her lips were a deep shade of purple, and she had a light dusting of white sparkles across her nose and cheeks. It was a nod to what I’d done on the first day, but in reverse.

She turned to look in the mirror, then gave me an approving smile. “I’m going to miss your handy work,” she said. “What am I going to do without you?”

I just smiled in return, not knowing what to say.

“You’d better call me the minute you get back,” she said. “I want to be the first to know.”

I laughed. “Okay.”

“I’m serious,” she said as she got up from her chair and went behind her partition to get changed. “I need you back here as soon as possible,” she called.

“I promise I’ll call.”

I didn’t know how soon I’d return to work after having the babies, but I didn’t say any of that to her. I still hadn’t announced my pregnancy, and I didn’t really know if or when I planned to do an official announcement. It was much too early still. Plus, I needed time to wrap my head around it before the entire world found out.

I couldn’t even imagine the scandal that would ensue, the speculation. I could see the headlines already.

FITNESS VLOGGER ANNA LEONARD PREGNANT WITH TRIPLETS; WHICH MYSTERY MAN IS THE FATHER?

At least I’d be away when the news came out. I couldn’t even imagine what the paparazzi would be like once they got wind of the news. If I thought yesterday was bad, it would be even worse once they discovered I was pregnant. They’d be desperate to find out who the father was. What a story that would make. Not that I planned to tell anyone they were Barnett’s.

StarRise emerged wearing an elaborate gradient blue skirt and matching top. The top was a light blue color that gradually got darker. The skirt itself started off the same color as the waistband of the shirt and descended into a black hem, where little silver beads were woven to resemble stars. On her head, she wore a headband of silver stars.

“I love this!” she exclaimed, giving me a twirl. Just a sliver of her toned stomach was on display. “It’s so pretty.”

“You look great.”

She beamed at me. “See, this is why I don’t want to lose you.”

Before I could answer, she glided past me and into the next room. Other members of her team surrounded her as I followed, giving her a barrage of compliments. They did this regardless of what she wore, but that outfit really made her look ethereal.

She gave me a wink, then started filming her video.

For a moment, I allowed myself to feel proud. As much as my misdiagnosis created problems for me, it also gave me the push I needed to go after what I really wanted. I made a career for myself, and now my clients loved my work enough that they didn’t want me to leave.

I escaped my terrible marriage and worked hard to become the person I wanted to be. Doing this show with Arthur was just one more adventure. Even having children was something new to tackle. I’d wanted to have kids for so long and now it was finally happening. It still felt surreal, but I’d seen the test results. I was definitely pregnant.

Tears pricked at my eyes. I hadn’t allowed myself to feel excited yet, but it suddenly hit me.

I was going to be a mother.

Contrary to its name, the morning sickness hit me late in the night, and I found myself sitting on the floor of my bathroom, heaving into the toilet.

By the time I was done, my throat felt raw, and my neck and shoulders ached.

I was half-asleep, but I had puke in my hair, and I desperately needed a shower. I waited until I was sure I would not throw up again, then dragged myself into the stall. The hot water soothed my aching muscles, and by the time I was done, my eyes were drooping with exhaustion.

I threw on a nightgown, then climbed into my bed. Within minutes, I was asleep.

I dreamed of Barnett again.

He was lying in bed next to me, completely naked, with his back turned. Slowly, he shifted to face me. He slid his hand along my hip, dragging the silk nightgown up with it. Goosebumps broke out across my skin, but I felt hot and feverish all over. I sat up so he could get it up over my head. He threw it on the floor.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss my neck.

I wrapped my arms around his broad, muscular back. He shuddered as I slid my hands down his smooth skin.

He kissed me on the mouth, capturing my tongue.

“I love you,” he murmured as he moved inside me. He felt so good, I couldn’t help but whimper.

Suddenly, he was gone, and I was in that room again. I had on a hospital gown and my enormous stomach blocked my view. Barnett stood beside me, holding my head. A wave of pain rushed through me, and I clutched onto his hand.

“Barnett, I’m scared,” I said.

He leaned down and gave me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, baby. Everything’s going to be fine.”

I instantly felt reassured. As long as he was with me, I knew I’d be okay.

“Alright, Anna,” the doctor said, appearing at the end of the bed. “It’s time.”

The doctor bent down and pushed my legs even further apart. The cramps returned, even worse than they were before. I tried to squeeze Barnett’s hands as a torrent of cries filled the room, but he wasn’t there.

The doctor handed me the baby, and I cradled it to my chest. Then he handed me another, then one more. Suddenly, I was holding three babies, and I didn’t know where Barnett was.

“Barnett,” I called, looking around frantically.

He moved into view. The hospital scrubs he was wearing were gone, and he was back in his three-piece suit. Julia stood beside him, her elegant dress sweeping down over her protruding belly. She smirked at me and took Barnett’s hand.

He barely glanced at me before he turned and walked away. Julia turned and gave me a triumphant smile before she followed him out of the room.

“Barnett,” I pleaded, my voice breaking. Tears streamed down my cheeks. All three babies gave sudden, heartbreaking wails.

“Barnett!”

But it was no use. He was gone. I was alone. Tears continued to carve a path down my cheeks as I pulled my babies closer. “Shh, don’t worry,” I whispered to them, but I didn’t really believe it.

When I woke up the next morning, my pillow was wet from my tears.