Bedmates Soulmates
CHAPTER 355

She didn't want Noah to worry.

If he knew Giana was hurt because she tried to help Kira, the usually mild-mannered Electronics Engineering major would probably flip Kira the bird.

'Call me when you reach home. Giana planted a kiss on Noah's cheek

Kira looked away.

for next Saturday. I nominate the movie theatre, but it's your

"I will. Don't stay up too late, okay? Let me know where you want to go fo choice, as usual.

Noah didn't move.

'What are you doing? You're going to miss

your bus.'

'I won't see you

ou for the next three days. That was just one kiss."

'So?"

'So you still owe me five, one for each morning and one for each night."

Kira moved away from the couple and busied herself with examining the grass on the ground.

When Noah finally left, Giana's lips were red and slightly swollen.

Kira teased her friend, whose face was flushed. 'I would have said "get a room," but I was afraid Noah might actually take my advice and leave with you. Then I'll be left all alone, single and sad and starving' She fake-sighed.

Giana rolled her eyes. 'Single? Really? You, Kira Hewitt, aka Mrs McCarthy, are single?'

Kira followed Giana into the lift.

She was married. For

now.

But that was going to change soon.

After what happened at the hospital, she decided to move up her timetable.

Giana unlocked the door of her house.

The 3-room flat was on the seventh floor of an old residential block in a rundown part on the outskirts of Stamford.

The furniture showed signs of wear but was clean.

A short, narrow hallway led into the living room.

'You'll have to bunk with me tonight.' Glana led the way to her bedroom. "My parents are away. My younger brother stays at the school dorm. So it's just you and me. You can stay as long as you want." Kira nodded gratefully.

'Let's get you out of that hospital gown.' Glana pulled open the door of her wardrobe. "We're of roughly the same build, but you're

going to find the pants are a little too long for you just roll up the pantlegs.!

"Okay. Thanks, Giana'

I'll let you get changed then Bathroom's the second door down the hallway. You can use my shampoo and soap. Don't touch the hair gel though, or my brother will go berserk

Giana headed for the door. 'What do you want to eat for dinner? I think there's still some beef in the fridge. Beet noodle

Kira licked her dry lips. 'Maybe later. Do you have ice cream?"

Two minutes later, Giana returned to the bedroom with two sticles of half melted ice

'It's a good thing you mentioned ice cream. They would've turned into puddles of water and cream if I didn't get there in time."

"Something wrong with the fridge?"

'No.'Giana sighed. 'Mom must have unplugged the fridge before she left. To save electricity, she said. But I told her many times, plugging and unplugging like this is only going to cost more. Not to mention all the food that goes to waste. Like this ice cream. 'She's just trying to save on utility bills, Kira said. 'And help the environment in the meantime."

She took the ice cream and squeezed her friend's hand. 'Come. Let me offer you a hug from a fellow stone broke student.

Giana punched Kira's arm lightly, but leaned in for the hug anyway.

It was Kira's first time visiting Glana's house.

It was a little cramped, but everything was neat and clean.

The apartment had that lived-in, homey feel that reminded Kira of her house back in Milton

Giana's companionship plus the comfort food put Kira in a better mood.

"I should get started on dinner.' Glana stood up from the bed after the ice cream was gone. You okay with beef noodles?

'I'm okay with anything you make. I'll come and help."

"With one good arm? Giana pushed Kira back into her chair. 'Just sit and wait. I won't be long'

"In that case, may I borrow your laptop?"

Giana typed in the password and turned the screen to Kira. 'All yours."

Kira's fingers hovered above the keyboard.

She didn't know where to start.

Was there a format for drafting divorce papers?

She started doing research.

It wasn't as easy as she thought.

Filing the papers, even through the simplified track, required multiple documents-the Writ for Divorce, the Statement of Claim, the Statement of Particulars and at least three other forms.

Kira decided to skip the legal mumbo jumbo and start with the basics.

She found a printable template for a divorce agreement and filled in the details.

The idea of a divorce was not made on the spur of the moment.

If she had to trace its origin, it probably started the night Austyn left the villa after getting a call from Kayleigh.

Her plan was to wait till graduation in a year.

Money might not buy happiness, but it would buy her the right to speak

As soon as she got a job and could stand on her own two feet, she could leave Austyn.

But Kira didn't think she could wait any longer.

She could live with a cold, aloof, indifferent Austyn. But she couldn't live with a man who might get violent.

Her All-too-short Life On The Run

The way he pummelled Liam in the restaurant, the way he held the steak knife against Liam's neck without the slightest tremor in his hand, the way he shoved her in the backseat of the car, his eyes glowing blood red..... Kira was afraid of this Austyn.

She realised she had been living with a gentle, toned down version of Austyn

But who knew when the beast in him would be unleashed again?

It was Liam this time.

Could the knife be pointed at her the next time?

Kira didn't want to risk her life to find out the answer.

The doorbell rang

'I'll get it!' Giana shouted from the kitchen.

Kira sat back in the chair.

The form ran sixteen pages long, requiring information like personal particulars, marriage date, arrangements for spousal support, property, debts, taxes and so on.

It was giving her a headache.

A banner ad next to the form kept flashing.

Its title screamed 'How To Take Your Cheating Husband To The Cleaners In A Divorce!"

Kira minimised the window.

She didn't want to get anything from Austyn

She just wanted to leave him.

"Aaahh!"

'Giana!' Kira sprang out of her chair at the sound of her friend's scream.

She pulled up short as soon as she saw the man standing in the open doorway.

Austyn saw her at the same time.

He stepped around Giana, coming towards Kira with long strides.

His eyes were bloodshot.

Kira turned and ran.

She didn't know why she did that, but she just knew she didn't want to face Austyn at the moment.

Austyn covered the short distance from the doorway to the bedroom in three strides.

Kira's waist was gripped from behind.

Then she was pushed into the bedroom.

The door was kicked shut with a loud bang

Austyn spun her around, trapping her between the wall and his body.

Kira's jailbreak lasted all but two and a half hours.