Weeks passed, and I didn't receive a single word from the so-called husband, Ethan Marrow. I carried on with my school activities in peace. I suppose I had finally started to adjust to the academic lifestyle at Sterling University—though I still couldn't get used to the stares. I mean, what exactly was so fascinating about someone staring at me like I was an art exhibit?
Some nights, I would catch up with Ariana just to stay connected to the world I left behind. She remained one of my biggest sources of comfort, and for that, I'd be forever grateful.
Ethan's mother, Helena Marrow, occasionally sent me emails to check in. Perhaps it was genuine concern—or perhaps it was just a façade to make sure their pawn was still well-kept. It made me feel like a trophy wife, especially since I had recently started receiving a couple of thousand dollars from a Swiss account . Maybe it was all for the best. For now, I would lie low, finish my degree, and then vanish into thin air. I'd buy a cozy cottage somewhere in Europe—my heart was set on Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. I loved the medieval charm and the fairy tale vibe it radiated.
I also made a new friend—surprisingly. Her name was Edwina Mosel. I met her one sunny afternoon after lectures, while I was trying to locate my course advisor's office to submit my course form. She literally bumped into me, and that was how our journey began.
Edwina was incredibly sweet and helpful. She reminded me a bit of Ariana, though their personalities were worlds apart. Edwina was my coursemate and, as luck would have it, became my seatmate in almost all our lectures. She was a fast learner, and that certainly made it easier for me to adapt to the new courses. Despite our growing friendship, I still kept my identity a secret. To her, I was simply *Zoey Carpenter*, the transfer student. That's one of the things I truly admired about her—her ability to respect boundaries and mind her business was top-tier.
Tonight, Edwina had invited me over for a movie night at her hostel. I was reluctant at first, considering the messy situation my family had dragged me into with the Marrows. But I quickly realized I would lose my mind if I didn't find something to do other than studying and lazing around the house. So, I agreed to spend the night at Edwina's.
Her place wasn't far—just about a seventeen-minute walk. On the way, I stopped by the supermarket to grab some soda, popcorn, and face sheets for our little girls' night. I missed doing this with Ariana. I wasn't sure if I'd be lucky enough to see her again any time soon. I missed her deeply.
When I got to Edwina's, she welcomed me warmly.
"Welcome to my humble abode! I hope it's to your liking, Your Highness," she said cheerfully.
Edwina had a fantastic sense of humor and a contagious smile.
"I'm so honored to be invited to your humble abode. It's so cozy in here," I replied with a smile as I slipped off my shoes.
"Do you stay here alone?" I asked, noting how spacious the apartment was.
"No, I don't. It's a two-bedroom apartment. I occupy one room, and my roommate has the other. Though she's not around tonight—she's at a concert with her man," Edwina said with a teasing smile.
"Ohh? And why aren't you with *yours*?" I teased back, raising an eyebrow.
Everyone in our department knew Edwina had a thing for Adam Wilson, one of our coursemates. She'd never approached him or made any moves, but I'd caught Adam watching her on more than one occasion. Whether his interest was genuine or not, I couldn't tell.
"Stop playing with me, girl! Let's get started with tonight's itinerary," Edwina said, flashing that adorable shy smile she always wore whenever the topic of Adam came up.
She quickly made a list of movies for the night, and we decided to start with the classic—*Twilight*. An elite and entertaining choice.
I unpacked the snacks I'd picked up earlier and handed her one of the face sheets. We both carefully applied them to our faces, then snuggled under a huge blanket on the wide couch. I passed her an apple-flavored soda and took a blackcurrant one for myself.
"Cheers to making remarkable and amazing memories!" Edwina shouted at the top of her lungs.
She then grabbed her phone and insisted we take a selfie—our faces masked, wrapped in a cozy blanket, smiles wide despite the chaos we each harbored inside.
And in that simple moment, for the first time in a while, I felt just a little bit like myself again.
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To be continued.