Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(124)

Petra Van Gatt





He leaves me alone in total agony. My entire world is crashing beneath my feet. Emma was so right. I feel so disgusted and disappointed by his words, his attitude, his reaction. While I knew he’d be shocked, I never ever imagined he’d prefer me to have an abortion. Fuck, it’s his baby too! This feels like a nightmare. I don’t recognize him! Oh God, what happened to him? I can’t stand either him or my father, who’s always in between, controlling us and how we live. I hate both of them! I sniffle and dry my tears quickly. My agony switches to anger. If I have to choose, like he just told me to, well, my choice is made. I have to get away. Far away.

Seeing Alex’s car keys on the desk, I grab them and head outside. I find his Mercedes parked right at the entrance. I get inside quickly so as not to be seen. I’m not used to driving, but I decide to give it a try. The engine roars, and the car starts moving. I press another key, the metal gates open, and I leave.





My iPhone keeps ringing. I’ve already blocked Alex’s phone number after his successive calls and after rejecting them all. This time, it’s Emma. Good. “Hi, Emma. No, I’m not in Bedford Hills. In fact, I’m leaving New York, driving south. I’m thinking Florida or so. Yes, I’m driving… I know I don’t usually drive, but who cares! No, my decision is made! I don’t want to talk or see anyone from my family, him included. I’m done with them. Done,” I yell. “If anyone calls you, you have no idea where I am. No! I won’t talk to him, Emma. You were so right. As soon as he knew about my pregnancy, there was no more engagement, or relationship at all. He even suggested I have an abortion—kill his own baby! Such an asshole. I don’t need anyone to raise this child. Alex and my father can live happily together. I won’t disturb any—”





Manhattan, March 6, 2020

Alexander Van Dieren





Despite Janine’s insistence that Mr. Van Gatt was not available, I run into his office/library and fling the door wide open. “Roy, I need to talk to you.”

Roy shuts his book abruptly. He turns his face toward the entrance of the room and gestures to Janine, who leaves, closing the door behind her. “Sounds serious. What is it about?”

“Petra took my car and ran away,” I begin. “I spoke to Maria, Emma, my sisters—no one knows where she is. I called her, texted her, nothing.”

“What? Okay, calm down,” says Roy, mainly to himself. “She must be somewhere nearby. Let me call her.” He puts the call on speaker, and we wait, wait, and wait… “Not answering. Let me call Emma…” Emma answers. “Emma? It’s Roy. Is Petra with you?”

“Nope, she told me she’s spending the weekend at Van Dieren’s.”

“Well, unfortunately, she took his car and left. She’s not at home either… If she calls you, could you kindly let me know where she is?”

“Sure.”

“Thank you.” Roy hangs up. “Emma won’t say a word to us. But I think you’re right. Petra ran away. I’ll call some people. They should be able to track her down.”





“Her phone is no longer in service. She probably threw it away and got a new one,” concludes one of the agents sitting in Roy’s office, eyes glued to his laptop.

I feel myself losing my temper. “I can’t believe this! So, she doesn’t want us to know where she is?” I look back at Roy in fury. “This is because of you. See? I never wanted to break up with her. I never should have listened to you!”

“You did the right thing,” he snaps. “We just have to find her, bring her home, and everything will be okay. Then you will go to Singapore as planned.”

“No. Once we find her, I’ll tell her the truth, Roy. And I will propose. My decision is made.”

“Don’t even think about it, Van Dieren!”

“She is pregnant,” I announce.

Roy gasps in shock, instantly falling onto the sofa behind him. There he remains livid, speechless, and paralyzed. But I’ve got more to say. “I might lose everything, but I won’t lose her. She’ll be my wife, whether you and Tess like it or not.”

He rubs his eyelids before looking back at one of the agents. “Did you manage to track his car?”

“We are working on it, Mr. Van Gatt.”

“Then work harder!”

We hear knocking.

“Mr. Van Gatt?” Janine steps quietly inside, a phone in hand. “I know where your daughter is…” she mumbles gravely, head down.

“Well, Janine, where is she?” Roy snarls. But Janine remains mute and still. “Speak, for God’s sake!”

“The police called… Oh, poor little girl…” She shakes her head, sniffling.

“Janine, speak!”

She quickly dries her tears and looks up at Roy. “There was an accident. She’s at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.” Her voice gets lower, harder to understand through her sobbing. “The car crashed into a truck. Oh, dear Lord…”

I’ve got to close my eyes at the intensity of the punch to my chest. It can’t be true; it can’t be Petra! “In Philadelphia? She left New York? Are you sure it’s her, Janine?”