Love Betrayal

Chapter Sixteen

River

While Bella and Julianna go out for brunch the next day, with Jag and Jeremiah keeping an eye on them, I decide to do a quick bedroom makeover, turning the empty room next to it into an office. I buy a new desk, chair and daybed, along with a mini fridge stocked with drinks, water and snacks. I clean it all up and make it look perfect. I might not know much about interior decorating, but the room looks peaceful and inviting and I hope Bella likes it.

“That looks amazing, River,” Corey comments as she walks past. She leans against me and studies the room in awe. “You even added plants. I love it.”

“Thanks,” I reply, smiling down at her. “I want Bella to feel at home here and have her own space.”

“Who knew you could be so sweet?” Corey teases, nudging me with her elbow. “She’s lucky to have you.”

“Now you’re being sweet,” I mutter.

“Are you going to take her to meet Mom? Bella was asking about her yesterday,” she says, still gazing out at the new office. “I think you should take her. You two have been together long enough to meet the parents, don’t you think?”

I nod. “Yeah, I know. It’s just complicated, isn’t it? I don’t like talking about... Dad. And I know all of that is going to come up when she sees Mom and asks about what happened to her eye. I don’t know. I don’t like to think about him at all.”

Even though he’s not biologically my father, he’s still the one who raised me. The asshole is still a part of me, whether I like it or not.

“He is not who you are,” she says quietly. “But it is your past, and I think sharing that might bring you even closer. I mean, what do I know, I haven’t even had a proper boyfriend before, but I do know that Bella would never judge you. She loves you.”

I wrap my arm around Corey and she rests her head on my shoulder. “Yeah, you’re right. Sometimes it’s easier said than done. I’m doing so well just ignoring it, you know?”

She laughs. “You’re such a typical male. Now while you’re in a good mood and we’re having a deep and meaningful chat, I should probably let you know that I’m taking some time off from college.”

“Corey—” My first thought is to tell her no. But she didn’t ask permission. That she’s making a mistake and needs to stay in school. But I know she’s still grieving, and if that’s what she needs to do, I should support her.

“Not forever, but my head’s not in it right now, and I need a break. I knew you wouldn’t like it, but it’s my life and I need some time to just... I don’t know. Find myself.”

She’s right, I don’t like it. Her getting an education was very important for me, but yeah, it is her life.

“Okay, if that’s what you want to do,” I say with a sigh.

“Really?” she asks, eyes going wide. “That’s it? Wow, Bella has made you soft.”

“It’s your life and I want you to be happy. I know you’ve been struggling, Corey. All I want is for you to be how you were before we lost Matthew. College isn’t going anywhere.”

She fiddles with the sleeves of her sweater and her habit is a dark, unsaid cloud. “I don’t do it anymore—it just made me feel better at the time. I wasn’t coping well when we lost him. Going to therapy helps.”

“I know,” I admit, smiling sadly. “And the pain will never fully go away, I think we just learn to carry it with us better.”

“You’re all I have left, you know that? I mean, you and Mom, but our relationship has always struggled. I think she liked having sons more than she liked having a daughter.”

“Maybe one day you two will work it out, whenever you’re ready for that. But until then you have me, and I’m not going anywhere,” I promise her.

She hugs me tighter. “I love you, brother. But it would be nice if you stopped chasing away any men who want to date me, because I don’t want to be a virgin forever.”

I wince. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You were chatting with Damon at the party and I didn’t do anything.”

“Yeah, because of Bella. And wow, everyone has commented on Damon. You know, I can have a conversation with someone with a penis and it doesn’t have to mean anything. I’m used to being around bikers my whole life, it’s not unusual for me,” she says, rolling her eyes.

She is being a little too defensive on the Damon subject, but I’m smart enough to not point that out. “You have all the time in the world to date, and you said you want to find yourself first, so do that,” I suggest, turning my head when I hear a door open. “I think they are home.”

I close the office door and walk up the hallway, Corey at my side. I hear them before I see them.

“I can’t wait to get drunk when I’m not pregnant anymore,” Julianna says.

Bella laughs. “You know you can’t drink when you’re breastfeeding either.”

“Oh yeah. Can you get pregnant, too? Misery loves company.”

More laughter.

“Hey.” Bella smiles widely as she sees me. “You missed out on an epic brunch—the food was so good.”

“What a shame that I missed out on all that pregnancy chat,” I reply, grinning.

Bella rolls her eyes. “We did talk about other things.”

I lead her to the office and open the door. “I have a surprise for you.”

She glances up at me in confusion before stepping inside, her gaze widening as she takes it all in.

“Your new office. I even stocked the fridge for you. And now you have your own space if it gets too much here,” I say, shifting on my feet as she walks around touching everything.

When she turns around, there are tears in her eyes. “I think this is the nicest thing anyone has done for me,” she says, lips trembling. “I love it so much, River. Thank you. All the little touches are so me, and shows just how much you know me.”

She runs back and gives me the best hug. “You’re welcome.”

“And I love the daybed, it’s so pretty.” She continues on, complimenting every detail, and being so appreciative that I just want to give her a whole fucking house next time.

Maybe I will.

I pat Hades, who comes in to explore his new place to nap, while Bella makes herself comfortable. She calls Julianna over and shows off her new office, while I stand at the door watching her with a smile on my face. I don’t remember a time in my life that I’ve been this happy, my scowl lines turning into smile lines.

What has she done to me?

If only Robert, that bastard, could see me now.

He didn’t break me at all.

And I’m only just realizing.