Page 10 of A Stolen Christmas

“Creepy, stalking, grassing bastard,” he muttered as he began to walk away.

“Takes one to know one. Double shot latte,” I shouted after him, but his words made me doubt introducing myself at work, especially since I lived next door to her. She didn't know I’d moved in yet, and it might blow all my hard work.

Fucking Seth and his big mouth.

Chapter 7

Sirah

“That’s it? I’m free?” I asked, but my voice cracked, and unexpected tears filled my eyes.

Warner stared at me for a second before handing me the box of tissues on his desk.

“It’s all done. I pulled some strings to ensure your application went through. This is the Final Order. It was a simple process. There was no need for the courts to drag it out for months, no matter how hard Mr Taylor had tried to sabotage our efforts.”

I nodded while I blew my nose. “I’m just so relieved it’s over,” I said with a sniffle.

“Can I ask why you didn't ask for your share in the house?”

I knew the final order gave him a set timeframe to remove me from the house mortgage and title deeds. The hit was one I was willing to take to get the mother-and-son duo out of my life.

“Life isn't always about money, Mr Reid,” I said softly.

I remembered when Ryan pushed me. The house was a reminder of what he was capable of when he found himself backed into a corner. He was lucky I never told my brother or Dad about the incident.

His chapter was closed, and no amount of money could beat the finality of ending our ill-conceived union.

∞∞∞

I did a double take as I saw who was standing on the balcony beside mine. He must have bought the house next door. I bit into my lip as I reached my top step, but I needed to be polite.

“Hi, you bought the house then?” I said.

It was a chilly night, but he wore trousers and a tight-fitted shirt. There was a mug in his hand with steam escaping from it like a witch’s cauldron. Damn it. He was sexier than I remembered.

“Yes, I moved in a little while ago,” he said with a smile.

“It’s just you?”

“Yes, but my parents and brother don't live too far away,” he replied. “What about you?”

I nervously adjusted the strap of my purse on my shoulder. It wasn't like me to be nervous, but the way he looked at me was weird.

“My family are in Reading, but I've lived in London for a few years,” I said until I saw his Christmas decorations behind him.

I frowned and realised that the Christmas decorations were due to go up on Sunday. This left me two days to buy everything. After the year I’d had Christmas, it wasn't high on my list. All I wanted to do was relax this weekend.

“Do you need a hand putting yours up?” he asked as he noticed me staring at his decorations.

“No thanks, I haven't bought mine yet,” I said with a sigh. “Thank you for giving your statement to the police.”

The incident happened over a month ago, but I hadn't messaged him due to my wanting to keep my distance.

The wind wafted the rich scent of hot chocolate towards me, and it surprised me he looked more like a coffee snob.

“No problem, I was happy to help. Would you like some? I still have some left on the stove. It’s trickier than it seems portioning for one person,” he said ruefully, and his relaxed manner soothed some of my concerns about him being a weirdo.

My stomach rumbled with hunger, reminding me that I’d not eaten since lunchtime.

---