Chapter 3
After the divorce, the twins were still under Charles's custody, and it couldn't be changed right away.
To make it easier to pick up and drop off the kids, I rented an apartment near Charles's neighborhood.
Once I settled in, I started going over my savings.
Emma and Mia were living with me.
On paper, we were co-parenting, but Charles hadn't had any income for years and didn't own a single property. He was basically useless when it came to support.
Thankfully, I managed to save up a bit from my job over the years, so I could get by for a while. Still, I knew I had to start preparing for what was next.
I was spacing out alone when my phone suddenly rang.
It was an unknown number.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Alice, it's me," the voice on the other end said.
Wait, that voice... Wasn't that Alex, Charles's old buddy?
What did he want with me?
Was he trying to plead for Charles?
My voice suddenly went cold.
"Alex, if you're here to talk me into getting back together, save it..." I said.
Before I could finish, a low, easy chuckle came from the other end.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to talk you into anything," Alex said.
I frowned, asking, "Then why are you calling?"
Alex said, "Have you found a place to stay yet? If you don't mind, I've got a spare apartment.
"It's just sitting empty anyway. You and the twins can come over and help me look after the place."
His voice was playful, almost joking. "You don't have to pay rent."
Alex was born into money.
From what I remembered, he was always pretty chill.
He had a privileged background, but never put on airs.
Charles was always saying Alex was a stand-up guy, loyal to the core.
I never expected Alex to go out of his way to help even me. That was what one called a true friend.
I had to admit, his offer was pretty tempting.
There would only be more expenses down the road, and if I could save on rent, maybe I could even enroll the twins in some activities.
After thinking it over for a while, I still turned him down.
He was Charles's close buddy, after all, and something about it just didn't sit right with me.
Alex didn't push it. He just chuckled and said, "Alright, if you ever need anything, just let me know."
After hanging up, I pulled myself together and headed out to pick up the kids from school.
When I got there, the staff told me Rebecca had already picked up the twins.
Whenever I was too busy to get the kids myself and asked Charles for help, he'd ask Rebecca to pick them up instead.
But didn't he say he was done with the kids?
Why did he suddenly switch things up without letting me know?
I called Charles.
"What is it?" Charles said, sounding annoyed.
I could hear the sounds of a video game fight in the background as he spoke.
"Where are the girls?" I asked.
"What girls?" Charles shot back, barely paying attention.
"I'm asking you; where did you take the twins?" I said, struggling to keep my temper in check. "Why did you pick them up from school without telling me?"
"What are you freaking out about? I told you the girls are with you, didn't I? How am I supposed to know where they are?" Charles snapped.
He was about to hang up on me.
I shouted in frustration, "Didn't you ask your mom to pick them up?"
Charles sounded confused for a second, then replied, "No, I never told her to do that."
"Charles, hear me loud and clear," I said, my voice icy and sharp. "The kindergarten said Rebecca picked up the girls. You'd better have her bring them back immediately, or I'll call the police."
After hanging up, I immediately called Rebecca.
But no one picked up.
I was freaking out and called Charles again.
This time, he sounded calmer. Charles said, "Just calm down. Maybe Mom just took the girls out for a walk or something.
"Let me give her a call. Hang tight."