"Are you sure about that?"
Natalie almost gasped as soon as she heard what Carole had said. She put her glass of wine on the table and smiled.
"Yes, I want to have a space for myself. I know this sounds selfish, but can you please not tell Aston where I'm going." Carole pulled her shoulder bag on her arms and looked at herself in the mirror.
She decided that she will just rent a unit for a week while letting herself breathe. She called her mother but her mother didn't even want her to stay in the house even though she wanted to explain. She couldn't blame her mother because it was Aston who helped their family business. Of course, they will favor him over their own daughter.
Thinking of this, Carole sighed. She called Natalie because she is planning to ask her if she could stay at her house but she is too selfless. She thought that she would just burden Natalie. In the end, she decided to rent a condo unit for one week.
Carole already made her reservation and the unit will be ready once she arrives there. It's not that far from their mansion, that's why she can ride the taxi rather than asking their driver to drive her. She didn't want Aston to know where she was.
"You know you are always welcome here," Natalie comforted her from the other line as soon as she heard Carole sighed.
"It's fine. I don't want to bother you. Besides, I want to be alone. There are a lot of things going on inside my mind. I don't want to think I'm crazy but I will appoint a psychiatric therapist to make sure," Carole said.
"What are you talking about?!" Natalie blurted out. "Carole, you are not going crazy," she slumped on the sofa and crossed her legs.
"I really want to punch Aston right now for you. He looks like a scum right now. Didn't he love you anymore?" she added.
Hearing the last line, Carole fell silent. Her heart skipped a beat, but that beat made her chest clench in pain. A sudden thought came to her mind.
She loved Aston more than anything in this world and she didn't want this marriage to go to waste or to be painted black. She wanted to have a happy life and her own family. She still wanted to see Aston laughing with his kids.
Thinking of kids, Royce came to her mind. Looking at the man's nephew and niece made her heart sank even more that day. Is that the reason why Aston is so bitter to her? Because he already wanted a child after five years of marriage?
"Are you still there?"
Natalie's voice broke her silence. She clenched her bag and replied she is fine.
"Do you want me to accompany you?" Natalie asked.
Carole shook her head. "It's fine. I already booked a car. I will be going alone. Thank you for listening,"
Natalie clenched her chest. "Anything for my dear best friend."
The call ended and Carole held her bag downstairs. It's already 5pm and Aston will be home late tonight for sure. He has a lot of work in the company which Carole didn't want to bother. She saw the car right straight outside their mansion and quickly stepped inside. The driver helped her pick up her 2 bags.
She reached her destination after an hour. She thanked the driver and headed to the lobby. The receptionist smiled at her.
"Good afternoon, Madam. May I know your name and reservation number?" The receptionist greeted her with a sweet smile.
"Carole Alb–" Carole paused. "Carole Meridith Hale." She said her full name with her maiden surname. She didn't want them to know that she is an Albrecht or else Aston will immediately find her.
"I already found it, Madam. The bagger will come down and accompany you, please wait in the lobby." The receptionist gave her the card room. "Is there anything else, Madam?" she asked.
Carole turned her head around, making sure that no one there was gazing at her. She leaned closer to the receptionist and said.
"Can you please not tell anyone that I am here? I want some privacy and a personal reason."
The lady receptionist smiled and nodded her head. "Of course, Madam. Noted." She thumbs up and lead Carole to the lobby.
After minutes of waiting, the bagger came and helped Carole carry her bags. They reached the fifth floor and her room. She thanked the bagger and closed the door.
She leaned on the door and sighed. The feeling is very the same even back in their mansion. She is always alone whenever she goes. She is not even sleeping in their room but in the guest room. Carole walked towards the soft mattress and removed her cardigan.
She sat there and looked outside the big glass wall of the room. There were swimming pools down there and a lot of people were enjoying it. It's like she is having a vacation but not happy at all.
She then started to unpack to entertain herself. She didn't really bring a lot of clothes, only those that are good for a week. She is not planning to stay away from her husband forever. She loved Aston after all. Even though she looks like a desperate wife, she didn't want to leave her husband.
After unpacking her things and clearing her bags, Carole lay on the bed. She felt very sleepy and tired suddenly. She recalled that she hadn't had breakfast at all. She got so busy thinking those words Aston told her that she forgot she was hungry.
She decided to just go down for food later. Carole removed her shoes and lay flat on the bed. There, she gazed at the ceiling blankly. It's already dim outside and the sun was about to set. The sky gazed down at her too as she turned to the glass wall of her room.
The sky is very beautiful. It looks like a lost painting with the dark orange clouds hiding the setting sun. Carole looked at it and didn't realize that she fell asleep.