Chapter 35 – Liam
B ack at home, I see the lumber for the crib was delivered yesterday as scheduled. I need to get to work on that, but I’ve got more important work planned right now. I can’t wait to see her, to touch her, to be with her, to make her cry my name in ecstasy. At least in that way, she’s fully mine.
Yet, the moment I lay eyes on the object of my desire, I immediately sense that something is off. “Juliana?”
She’s seated at the kitchen table, working on something.
When you’ve loved someone long enough, you come to know their every expression.
When you’ve lived in fear of someone long enough, the same can be said.
Love and fear, they don’t belong together, and this woman could never be like my father. So, why is my stomach tightening up?
I walk toward her and she holds up a hand, her stern expression making those knots in my belly worse. “Welcome home. Your mother is disappointed you couldn’t meet her and Lucille and Lucille’s daughter for dinner last night.”
So, she’s spoken to my mother and heard of her ridiculous matchmaking scheme?
Fuck. “I have zero interest in meeting any friends of my mother’s or their daughters.
She surprised me with the dinner invitation after you and I texted yesterday.
I made it clear I wasn’t interested in meeting any women. ”
“Perhaps not but that’s not all our short conversation covered.”
“Yeah, I guess not,” I say, hanging my head. “I didn’t tell my parents about the baby when we last had dinner together.”
“No shit,” she scoffs, with mocking wide eyes and obvious anger. “Guess they have no clue I’m living with you either. Are you worried Mom and Dad will be upset you’ve got a girl staying over, Liam?”
I choose to ignore the jab. I deserve it and I’m on thin ice as it is. “You have every right to be pissed at me, Juliana. I know I should’ve told them or, at least, told you I didn’t tell them. How did they react to the news?” I highly suspect I won’t like her answer to that question.
She stands so fast the kitchen chair clatters backwards behind her. “Well, your mother tried to congratulate me after your father asked if I was pregnant and if he knew the father. I was too busy hurrying away from that nightmare to reply.”
Fucking hell, this is getting worse by the second, and she’s shaking she’s so angry. “Please, honey, sit down and let me-”
“Let you what? Lie to me again?”
“I shouldn’t have-”
“You shouldn’t have what, Liam? Shouldn’t have hidden things like some sneaky, lying kid who doesn’t want to be busted by Mom and Dad?”
“Kid…” I repeat, feeling my own anger stirring.
What I did was wrong, but I don’t like hearing it in those terms from her.
“I am not a kid, Jules. I’m the man who wants to be with you, who wants to care for you and our baby, something I’m not afraid to admit out loud.
I may not have shared our joyful news with two people who are bound to shit on it, but I plan to. ”
“Yes, of course, they’ll be appalled to learn I’m carrying your baby, right?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“When will you tell them? Would you prefer to wait until your father has taken me off of every Culver project I’m working on first?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask, completely thrown by the shift of topic.
“The university library. You chose the design because it was mine. Your dad didn’t like it so he’s chosen another firm’s design. Chad’s firm. When were you planning to tell me that, Liam? ”
“He did… WHAT?!”
“Your father told me after summoning me to his office yesterday evening. That’s where I saw both your parents. He’s given the project to Chad’s firm. He called you about it when we were on our trip, didn’t he? Weeks ago.”
My brain is spinning to catch up. “He did call me then because the client changed their mind on a whim about the look they wanted. Dad asked Beaumont’s firm to whip something up, but it’s complete shit, Jules.
It won’t work, and I told the client that before I left.
I told them if they’re serious about the changes I’d submit them to you and we’d work on it.
They probably turned to my father while I was out of town wanting to know more. ”
“You should’ve told me. Both things,” she murmurs. Her anger has cooled but this is a thousand times worse. I’ve hurt her. Something I never wanted to do. And for what?
I step closer, hoping she’ll allow me to touch her. My fucking heart is in my throat until she gives me a small nod and I can wrap my arms around her. “I should’ve told you. Both things. I fucked up, Juliana. I’m sorry.”
She’s trembling when she asks, “Why do you think they dislike me?”
“Dislike you? Baby, who could dislike you? But, it’s true they don’t know you all that well which is for the best.”
“Why? Are you ashamed of me?”
I’m stunned she’d ever think such a thing. I won’t allow her to think that for a single second longer. “Ashamed of you? How could I ever be ashamed of my beautiful, brilliant, sexy baby mama?”
Against her will perhaps, she snorts at that description. “They’ll think I’m the old woman who trapped you with a baby.”
“Then, they’re idiots, and I already told you I have no use for people who would label us.
Never, ever believe I’d be ashamed of you.
I didn't tell them about our baby because miserable people love spreading misery and I didn’t want to listen to their bullshit, not because I care what they think of me having a baby with you, but because I know they’ll say something that will mean the end of my relationship with them. ”
She gasps, spinning into me and hugging me. “I don’t want to come between you and your parents.”
“They are the ones who’ve come between me and them, honey. I’m starting to realize it’s not worth it to me. I’m not sure I’d want them anywhere near our little blueberry to be honest. At least not Dad.”
“Our baby,” she repeats, softly, cradling her bump.
“I planned to have this baby alone.” My breath catches, paralyzed over what she might say before she continues.
“I thought I’d raise this baby, and support her on my own.
I know you’re going to say I don’t have to worry.
I know how wealthy you are, and you’ll never let our baby want for anything.
But, I hate thinking that the only reason I’m as successful an architect as I am is because you’re my friend. ”
She thinks that? Oh, that’s not going to do at all.
“Your success isn’t because I’m your friend,” I promise her, new wrath toward my father building at the thought that he made her feel this way.
It doubles when I picture her yesterday being hit by all this when she was alone, when I wasn’t there for her as I should’ve been.
“You’re a brilliant architect, and that’s not flattery.
It’s the truth. You’d find success wherever you worked, Juliana. I’m just glad I get to work with you.”
“I don’t know how much longer that will be the case… seeing that your dad doesn’t seem to agree with you.”
“My father is wrong. Dead wrong.”
I should apologize to her some more, and I will. But, right now, I’m so angry I’d rather put my fist through something. And, I don’t want to be near Juliana when I do that.
“I'm going to have a talk with him, to set him straight, and once I’ve calmed down, you and I will speak some more,” I tell her before striding back out of my house.
∞∞ ∞
“Mr. Culver!” my father’s assistant yelps when I barge into his office a half hour later.
“Ms. Dawes,” I reply, cursing myself for not knocking. She’s frosty acting around the other assistants, the big man’s indispensable right hand. She looks considerably less frosty when she’s hurriedly trying to extract herself from her current position at my father’s feet.
It’s not like I didn’t know who he was, but it fuels my rage all the more knowing he spends his late nights at the office cheating on my mother.
Of course, it’s not like she doesn’t know.
They have the most fucked up marriage and anyone with sense would stay a dozen paces away from them at all times.
I’ve tried to please them long enough. I’m done with that.
“We need to talk,” I tell my father, ignoring Ms. Dawes as she frantically tries to button her blouse.
“You may go,” Jock tells the woman dismissively while zipping his trousers.
Ms. Dawes scurries past me, averting her eyes. I wait for her to leave the floor, hearing the executive elevator ding to take her down to the garage, and use the time to gather my patience and my arsenal.
There’s an empty bottle of scotch on the desk.
My father’s drinking is worse than I’ve ever seen it.
He’s been growing more erratic lately with his decisions and behavior.
Since the company went public a few years ago, there’s been a board overseeing things.
Maybe it’s time an executive officer within the company suggests they look for new leadership, someone who’s not my father.
“Guess I know why you’re here.” He says it so nonchalantly, heading to the liquor cabinet in search of another bottle.
“Guess so. Don’t bother pouring anything for me,” I add when he reaches for a second glass. “You have no right to interfere with that project. If the client isn't happy, it’s my job to deal with them.”
“Your job?” he scoffs. “Your job seems to be to protect your divorced friend. She’s a talented architect but you seem to have blinders on when it comes to that woman.”
The elevator dings again. I suppose Ms. Dawes might have rushed off without her car keys. I ignore that to answer him.
“I don’t have any blinders on when it comes to the company. Juliana’s design is the best by far and I have every confidence she can make changes to suit our client if needed. Admit it, there wasn’t a thing wrong with any of Juliana’s work. You just wanted to pull rank on me.”