Chapter 99

Brandon left a week later.

Not being able to accompany him because her doctor had advised against it, and being fully aware that it was a five months long trip, Beth had spent numerous nights lying in tears and even more nights lying awake. Even though they spoke as much as they could over the phone and she fell asleep to the sound of his voice a lot of the time, it still wasn’t enough. Nothing beat his physical presence. At her eighth month, Jasmine and Byron had appeared at the house and bundled her and Lola away, much to Micah’s delight. Comforting herself with the fact that she was now an aunt, Beth took to caring for her new nephew, Malachi, Sherlie as much as she could. It was a welcome distraction herself from her loneliness, too.

“Beth?” She had just put the sleeping Malachi in his crib. She turned and watched Sherlie enter.

“There you are. He’s asleep?”

She nodded, smiling.

Sherlie had her hand and was pulling her out the next second. Beth rolled her eyes an