Her Second Chance Christmas by Isabella Bruno

Author:Isabella Bruno [Bruno, Isabella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2025-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Penny found Morgan on the bench by Nana’s front door just as she said, a large black suitcase resting on the ground beside her. Penny had been nervous on the ride over, but her fears escalated when she saw the blank expression on her friend’s face. Staring out at the snow-covered lawn, Morgan looked fragile, as though she’d just returned from a war.

Or, Penny realized with an unpleasant twist in her gut, from a long and drawn-out battle that had finally gotten the best of her.

And where had Penny been that whole time? Climbing the corporate ladder and trying to make a name for herself, logging countless hours while barely taking enough time to sustain herself with overpriced takeout, much less have a real conversation with her family and friends.

Penny had harbored suspicions that Morgan’s relationship might not have been going well over the last few months, but she hadn’t said a word about it. She’d simply sent a few texts every now and again, telling herself that she was being a good friend by reaching out to Morgan. In theory, she had checked in on her friend, but in practice, she had taken yet another shortcut in life, in order to prioritize other, less important, things.

Like work.

Like her social life.

Like Nick.

Penny felt disgusted with herself. First Nana, and now Morgan. Like a female Ebenezer Scrooge, Penny was beginning to realize just how selfish a life she’d been living up until now.

But just because she had made mistakes in her past didn’t mean that it was too late to make things right in the present.

“Hey,” she said softly, taking a seat beside Morgan on the bench.

“Hey.” Morgan’s voice was low. She sounded tired. When she didn’t continue, Penny reached over and covered Morgan’s hand with hers. It was ice-cold. Morgan gripped her hand like a lifeline, and for a while, the two girls just sat in silence, enfolded by the perfect stillness that only winter could provide.

“You were right,” Morgan finally said.

“About what?”

“About Brendan.” Morgan’s head dipped. She studied the tops of her winter boots. “He was the problem. I just didn’t want to believe it.” Shifting in her seat, Morgan pulled her cell phone out of her jacket pocket and swiped at the screen. “Things had felt strained for the last few months,” she said on a weary sigh. “At least now I know why.”

Penny took the phone Morgan offered, then gasped once she saw the image on the screen. A photo of Morgan’s boyfriend of three years kissing another woman.

“Brendan had been spending a lot of time at the office,” Morgan explained. “After a while, I got suspicious, but he told me I had nothing to worry about. Still, I had this feeling in my gut that something wasn’t right, so one night, I stopped by on my way home from work. And this is what I found.”

“Oh, Morgan,” Penny breathed. “This is terrible! I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry.”

Morgan tightened her grip on Penny’s hand as fresh tears filled her red-rimmed eyes.

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