Chapter 51
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
CHLOE
I remain a few steps behind Roman as the group crosses the grass, resisting the urge to reach for his hand. In the distance, cameras flash. Each click makes me nauseous. It’s disgusting, the way the paparazzi have intruded on the funeral.
Cole and Tate, along with Delilah and Violet, walk a little behind us. Even Roman’s mom has a man at her side. He’s the man she was with at the gala. Maybe he’s her boyfriend.
I glance at Roman. He hasn’t mentioned anything about his mom seeing someone. My heart twists as the space between us yawns wider. When we’re together at his apartment, and even in his office, we’re in a little bubble. Just like we were in France.
Away from the eyes of the world, he belongs to me, but outside, in the light of day, it’s a different story.
Sadness washes over me, but I quickly shake it off. I’m here for one reason and one reason only, to support Roman. Even if I have to do it from the sidelines.
Sophie and Samson approach, dressed in black, just like me, their expressions somber. Roman said he’d find a way for me to be here, and he did. Since Samson and Sophie were around when Roman’s dad was CEO, having them here to support Cole and Tate, both personally and professionally, makes sense. And although I never met the man, my presence doesn’t seem so strange when they’re in attendance.
As we stand around the gravesite, listening to the minister, I can’t help but steal glimpses of Katherine, who stands opposite us, looking glamorous, even in all black.
Though she’s wearing dark sunglasses, I swear her eyes are fixed on Roman the whole time. I itch with the need to put my hands on him. To claim him. But I can’t.
Instead, I stand tall, hoping that he can sense my support, even if we’re not touching.
As the minister speaks about Maxwell King’s successes, neatly skirting any mention of the man’s many flaws, Roman’s shoulders remain stiff. He hasn’t opened up about his feelings following his dad’s death. God, I wish he would. I don’t know how to help him when he won’t let me in.
As much as he might deny that he’s hurting, his turmoil is obvious. At least to me it.
After the service is over, the brothers and their mom speak with other mourners, while Sophie and Samson disappear to coordinate with security, and I find myself standing with Delilah and Violet.
I can’t resist asking Delilah if I can hold Lottie, and she happily passes the baby to me.
My heart swells at the sight of her little face. It’s bittersweet, knowing she’s Roman’s niece. He’s a part of her, like the rest of his family.
It only makes me feel like more of an outsider.
“You know,” Delilah says, her eyes shimmering with sympathy. “I never thought this would be where I ended up. The first time I met Cole, I couldn’t have imagined that he would change my life. Sometimes it felt impossible for there to be a happy ending for us.”
My heart lurches, but I do my best to rein in my reaction. Does she know? I shift my focus from her to Roman, then to Violet, who looks equally understanding. Did he tell them?
“It’s not hard to see if you know what to look for,” Violet chimes in. “Especially if you’ve been through it yourself.”
“I—I…” My ribs tighten, making it hard to breathe. What am I supposed to say?
“Don’t worry.” Delilah gives my arm a gentle pat. “I don’t think anyone else knows. Your secret is safe with us. Hopefully Roman will wise up and realize where his priorities lie soon.”
A surge of defensiveness rushes through me. “I don’t expect him to change his priorities. I know what’s important to him.”
The two of them exchange a look.
“Heads up,” Violet says.
On instinct, I turn and find Roman striding toward us. His eyes are stormier than they have been all day and for a moment I wonder if he’s annoyed that I’m holding Lottie.
But when he gets to us and focuses on me, his expression softens.
He reaches for her, leaning in close, and as he takes her, he murmurs, “You look good holding a baby.”
My heart stops and my cheeks flame. I take a step back, worried I’ll do something stupid like kiss him right here in front of everybody.
Movement in my periphery catches my eye, and I find Katherine watching us, her lips pressed into a thin line.
I back up another step, my pulse racing. My reason for being here is flimsy enough. I don’t want to give anyone ammunition to hurt Roman or his family. Not when I’m the one who made a big deal about accompanying him.
Roman’s eyes pierce into mine as he holds Lottie against his chest, the baby tiny against his big form. Violet and Delilah watch on, both wearing far too knowing looks.
“I—uh, I’ll go help Sophie and Samson.” I turn and immediately bump into someone.
Roman’s mom’s cool blue eyes assess me as she steadies me with her hands on my shoulders.
My heart races, my body flushes hot, and the tears that have been threatening come dangerously close to welling. Each reaction is more ridiculous than the last. What happened to my professionalism?
As I address Roman’s elegant, aloof mother, I do my best to school my expression into a professionally apologetic one. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. King.”
A faint line appears between her brows. “You’re a very dedicated assistant to be here for my son.”
I swallow hard. After everything her late husband did, what must she think of me?
Shame churns in my gut. “I’m just doing my job.”
“Of course.” She lets me go, and I prepare to bolt—in the most professional way, of course.
“I’m glad he has someone to take care of him,” she says. “He deserves that kind of dedication. All my sons do.”
I stare at her, unsure whether I should take her words at face value. From what Roman has told me, she’s never been the warmest of mothers. Is she really that concerned about the dedication of her sons’ assistants?
“Um, thank you. I should probably…” I point in the direction of the cemetery gates, and she nods.
I catch Roman watching me with a furrowed brow. Tate and Cole are standing next to him now, Cole having taken possession of his daughter.
Katherine hasn’t moved, apparently still focused on me. I give her a tight smile before walking away from all of them.
Although it feels more like running away.