Alex POV

Something isn't right.
I can sense it deep in my core, things are about to go wrong and I have a strong feeling that it is wholly to do with Danica.

I know it seems wrong for me to assume that all bad news leads to her, but I can't turn my back on these feelings I have. The pit of my stomach has been feeling all wrong for the past few hours and the fact that Danica is delaying in responding to my texts concerns me even further.

I decide to call her, pushing for her to answer right away instead of delaying anymore.

The line rings only twice before Danica picks up, hesitatingly and sounding somewhat surprised she says, "Hey, you."

"Hey," I reply, "I'm just checking in. You've been a little distracted from what I've noticed." I say, letting her know I can feel something is going on.

"Oh, you know. Busy with work, as usual." Danica replies, her tone giving away the lie.

To add to this, a car honks once in the background of her end of the call, to which another car honks in response.

"Where are you?" I ask curiously.

"Nowhere special."

"Danica." I press.

"I'm out grabbing myself and Peter a coffee, that's all."

I let a heavy and uncomfortable silence separate us.
Waiting for the truth.

Time drags out as she chooses not to be honest about what she is actually up to.

I let out a noisy breath, still saying nothing.
Danica lets out a breath too, but hers is full of exasperation, saying, "It's not a big deal, I was sitting in my car doing some paperwork and watching Chester."

There it is.

"Babe, I thought we spoke about this. Don't go behind my back like that, talk to me before you go about doing things on your own. It's too dangerous, especially with - ".

She cuts me off before I continue, "Trust me, I get it. Especially after Justine just caught me out."

My heart drops for a second, "What??"

"It's okay, I've deterred her, but it's really put me in my place. I realise how stupid I've been to go off like this without any backup. I shouldn't have done it at all. I don't know why I'm so fucking reckless."

I can see her now, shaking her head at herself, possibly punching the side of the steering wheel or something like that, feeling foolish for her actions, as she should.

I'm honestly stunned that she is understanding how she is so wrong. That what she has been off doing on her own is so much bigger now. It's more than just the two of us to consider. We've got to consider how it'll affect the future if Danica doesn't end her deeds.

"I'm proud of you." I say.

She laughs once, "Proud? You can't be proud of me for failing to stop myself in the first place. I proved again that I'm not strong enough." Danica sounds defeated as she speaks the words, truly having little faith in herself and great disappointment in her actions.

Which is what we need.

"I'm proud of you for not continuing. I'm proud of you for seeing through your blinders and facing the reality of the situation. This is a step in the right direction. Focus on that."

She says nothing, but I know she's still there because I can hear the passing traffic on her end of the phone.

"Hang up and go back to the office, okay? There's nothing better than righting your wrongs. Recapture the day while you can."

Finally, she mutters back a quiet, "Okay."

"Go do some real work. I'll see you at home."

"Okay." Danica says again and then ends the call.

Despite her feeling defeated about what went on, I am grateful for Justine interrupting Danica when she needed to be brought down to earth. I wish it hadn't have been a cop that stood in her way, but if it's how it needed to play out to straighten out things with Danica, then I will gladly take it.

Returning my attention to my own task, I walk back to the table where I'd left Carol drinking her coffee alone.

"Was everything okay?" She asks, genuinely concerned.

I offer her a small smile, "Yeah, she's been flat out today, left her phone at her desk while she was in meetings."

Carol smiles back, but very quickly returns to the serious look she had on her face before I'd left the table, "Now, let's get back to what we were talking about a few minutes ago. I am only only informing you because I feel you deserve to know what I've done."

"I know, it wasn't going to be my decision anyway, she's your family. Aside from that, I think it's going to be what is best for our future."

She nods eagerly, "I couldn't agree more. The less complicated your life is with Danica and the baby, the better."

Carol couldn't possibly know how much I actually agreed with that, but this is definitely pushing the envelope.

"So, when will it be finalised?" I ask.

Carol shuffles through some papers before her.
"They've assured me that it won't take long. But I'll be sure to keep you in the know. I should mention also," Carol pauses a moment before continuing, "I went to see Kate when I had originally thought about doing this. I spoke to her, told her what I had planned. It's the one time she hasn't lashed out or completely shut down on me. Instead, she stayed quiet, staring at me for a long time before she turned her back on me to face the window. I'm not assuming it was her acceptance of the decision, but she doesn't seem angry with me for it."

Nodding, I pick up my coffee and take a sip, "At the end of the day, it's your choice. It's a relief for me, knowing Danica won't be able to find her now with the name she has, hopefully one day she'll decide to give up searching on her own, but this barrier will make a big difference."

I look across the room, staring through all of the faces that fill the room. Danica's image in the front of my mind. Wondering how betrayed Danica would feel if she knew what I know now.

Carol's voice cuts through my thoughts, "It would be wrong to let Kate's toxic nature hurt her when we can protect her instead, that's all you need to look at this as. A safeguard. Aside from that, I want Danica to be keeping her focus on your bright futures ahead, not what may or may not have happened in the past."

Smiling in agreement, I lift my coffee and have a mouthful, trying my best not to focus on the thoughts that are still circling in my mind. Because even though I know that what Carol has done is the right thing to do, I can't help but continue to wonder how it would make Danica feel if she knew that Carol has completely cut her off from her mother now.

As we say goodbye to Kate and hello to Eliza, the unwelcome feeling of guilt creeps in.

And despite not being guilty of putting it into play, I'm guilty of keeping it a secret from Danica.

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I hope you all know how sorry I am for the hold up on this chapter. I had written something a bit different to begin with and then had to change it for it to make more sense with the rest of the story. But finally we have a new chapter and I hope you enjoyed it.

Eeep... bold move Carol.

How did we feel about this chapter?

I don't think Danica would be happy if she knew.

Hopefully she doesn't find out!

Thanks for reading!!

I know my updates suck major time at the moment, I'm trying to get more down and out for you all and I feel awful that it's taking me so long.

I'm forever grateful for your patience.

Chat soon.
:) Shantelle