Chapter 25 #2
If I had, I never would’ve become a maid at the Kensington house. I never would’ve been forced to lie about my identity and sneak into the masquerade engagement party. I never would’ve met and gotten the honor to love and be loved by Dean and Asher.
His note was right. Adrianna did shape me into the young woman I am today. Without taking the exact steps I did that led me to today, who knows what would be different?
I like to think everything happens for a reason. If living under her torment was the only way to get to where I am today, I’d do it ten times over. Every single time.
“We’ll get this to our lawyers ASAP,” Dean mutters, the businessman side of him emerging. “They’ll sort everything out.”
Nodding, I shut the binder and hand it to him. “Thank you.” My voice is barely audible.
He brushes his thumb over my cheek, wiping away tears. “You don’t have to thank me or anyone. It’s what should have been done long ago.”
“Maybe it wasn’t supposed to happen until now,” I counter, feeling optimistic that it will all work out as it should.
Asher kisses the back of my head. “You’re too kind, baby. But that’s what you have us for.”
I want to spend hours here, cleaning, tidying, and putting this place back together. And I will, alone, but right now, I want to go home—a word I never expected to mean the Kensington mansion.
I should probably move back into my parents’ house. That’s what I’ve wanted the whole time. But as we stroll out of my old bedroom, I suddenly realize that this doesn’t feel like my home anymore, but a piece of my past.
My home is wherever Dean and Asher are, whether that’s in their house, in a hockey rink, or a town a thousand miles away that we move to when they elevate into the professional league. I want to be where they are, wherever that may take me.
As I walk over the broken glass toward the front door, an idea comes to mind of what to do with this beautiful house. But I need to figure a couple of things out before I can execute it.
“Can you guys help me with something?” I ask as we walk outside and I lock the door.
“Name it,” Asher states without thought.
I tell them my plan, one quickly flushed out during the stroll from my old bedroom to here. But if we can do it right, it’ll be perfect, not only for me, but for Myra and Jules too.
They agree immediately, and I didn’t expect anything less.
“Since you rode here with Ash, does that mean it’s my turn?” Dean playfully pouts as Asher hands me my helmet.
“I suppose.” I grin, sliding my helmet on and doing the strap myself.
Dean bites his lip, throwing his leg over his bike. “Hop on, baby. We’re going home.”
Everett is back from his meetings when we get to the house, finding him in the living room near the foyer.
“There you guys are.” Everett greets us with a big smile, sitting on the oversize couch. “I was hoping to talk to you guys.”
“Yeah? What’s up?” Asher asks, striding over to the love seat that faces Everett and plopping down.
He pats the seat beside him, which I take, and Dean sits in the recliner to the right of us.
“Cirella, I know you have been working for the family, and while we appreciate your hard work, I can’t allow it anymore.”
Asher stiffens at my side, but I grab his thigh, keeping him calm.
“You’re a part of this family now. It’s the least I can do for Patrick and for you.”
Asher relaxes beneath my hand, resting his own atop it.
Dean jumps the gun, lashing out. “She isn’t going anywhere.”
Everett chuckles, raising his hands. “Take a breath, boys.” He pauses.
“Look, I understand why you’re defensive, especially given how I’ve been acting lately.
But I have no intent on making her leave the residence.
She is welcome to pick out a room of her own, outside of the staff wing, and make herself at home. ”
“Oh.” Asher exhales.
Everett’s eyes are shining with happiness. “Seeing how much you both care about her makes me so happy. It’s a situation I may not fully understand, but I don’t need to. As long as you guys are content, that’s all that matters.”
“Thank you,” I sniffle, wanting nothing more than to run over there and give him the biggest hug.
“No need to thank me, Cirella. I should be thanking you.” His lips twitch, and I see a flash of sorrow in his gaze that quickly dissipates. “You helped me wake up and come to terms with everything I’d been ignoring.”
Holding my hand up, I stop him from thanking me further. “That’s what family’s for, isn’t it?”
He nods and smiles, then says something that cuts me to the core. “Patrick would be so proud of who you’ve become. I just know it.”
I don’t hesitate this time.
Standing to my feet, I rush over, and he stands right as I reach him, meeting my hug with acceptance.
“It’ll be all right,” he assures me kindly. “I promise.”
Pulling back, I smile up at him. “The same goes for you. Remember that.”
“I will.” His eyes well up with tears, and he nods. “Dean, Asher, can I have a word in private for a few minutes?”
Knowing these two stubborn asses will likely protest, I answer for the both of them. “They’d love to.” I turn to them, seeing amusement twinkling in their gazes. “I’ll be upstairs.”
Without giving them a chance to argue, I stride away, heading toward the grand staircase and up into their wing.
Gus is hanging out with Jules today, attending classes with her—at Jules’s request, of course.
Skipping class has been far too consistent as of late, and I’m going to get my act together if I want to keep attending HEAU.
Which I think I do. I don’t know. I haven’t really had a chance to think it through since everything happened.
Before I make any rash decisions, I want to talk it out with my family, one born when the world around me was burning—Asher, Dean, Jules, Myra, Everett, and Gus.
Turning into Dean’s bedroom, I take my boots off and jump into the cozy bed as an idea grows in my mind.
I want to surprise them when they get in here, and I know exactly how I want to do it.
Quickly, I shimmy my leggings down, tossing them toward the door, followed by my hoodie, until I’m lying in his bed in only my bra, underwear, and socks.