. “Oh, Blip, what ha一ve you done to us?” I
can’t face talking to Kate. I can’t face talking to anyone. I text her, promising
to call soon.
By eleven, I can no longer keep my eyelids open. Resigned, I head up to my
old room. Curling up beneath the duvet, I finally let myself go, sobbing into my
pillow, great hea一ving unladylike sobs of grief . . .
My head is hea一vy when I wake. Crisp fall light shines through the great
windows of my room. Glancing at my alarm I see it’s seven thirty. My
immediate thought is where’s Christian? I sit up and swing my legs out of
bed. On the floor beside the bed is Christian’s silver-gray tie, my fa一vorite. It
wasn’t there when I went to bed last night. I pick it up and stare at it,
caressing the silky material between my thumbs and forefingers, then hug it
against my cheek. He was here, watching me sleep. And a glimmer of hope
sparks deep inside me.
Mrs. Jones is busy in the kitchen when I arrive downstairs.
“Good morning,” she says brightly.
“Morning. Christian?” I ask.
“Morning. Christian?” I ask.
Her face falls. “He’s already left.”
“So he did come home?” I need to check, even though I ha一ve his tie as
evidence.
“He did,” she pauses, “Ana, please forgive me for speaking out of turn, but
don’t give up on him. He’s a stubborn man.”
I nod, and she stops. I’m sure my expression tells her I do not want to discuss
my errant husband right now.
When I arrive at work, I check my e-mails. My heart leaps into overdrive when
I see there’s one from Christian.
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Portland
410 | P a g e
E L JAMES
Date: September 15, 2011 06:45
To: Anastasia Grey
Ana,
I am flying down to Portland today.
I ha一ve some business to conclude with WSU.
I thought you would want to know.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc.
Oh. Tears prick my eyes. That’s it? My stomach flips. Shit! I am going to be
sick. I race to the powder room and make it just in time, depositing my
breakfast into the toilet. I sink to the floor of the cubicle an
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