Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
Laurel
My life was in a state of chaos, and I wasn’t sure if I would make it out alive or sane. Finding out Jason faked his death, the situation with Julian, and a palm tree crashing through my window was too much. Now, he wanted me and the girls to stay at his house. Being around him at work was enough torture, let alone staying in the same house as him.
“What are you doing?” I asked Julian as he typed away on his phone.
“Texting Parker and Roman to make sure we have power. Yep. We do.”
“Listen, Julian. I can stay at my parent’s house. Oh God. I wonder if their house is damaged?”
“Go pack the bags, and we’ll drive there and take a look. But even if everything is fine, you’re still staying with me.”
After packing bags for the girls and me, we climbed into Julian’s car.
“I called Stefan Kind. He’s sending some of his guys out to get the tree out and board the window. I think you better call your landlord and tell him what happened.”
“I will,” I said.
We drove to my parent’s house and saw Mr. Galecki, their neighbor, outside.
“Laurel, I was worried about you and the girls.”
“I appreciate it, Mr. Galecki. We just stopped by to check on the house,” I said.
“Well, it doesn’t look like there’s any damage—just a bunch of debris on the lawn. We did lose power, though. I called the electric company, and they said it’s possible they won’t be able to get to it for a couple of days.”
“Great.” I sighed. “You take care, Mr. Galecki.”
“You too, sweetheart. Stay safe.”
“See. You have no choice but to stay at my house. At least I have power, and the girls can watch TV and use the internet. Plus, they can go swimming.” He smiled.
I didn’t say a word as I stared out the window.
When we reached his house, it didn’t look like the storm hit as bad as where I lived. Aside from a few branches lying all over the sidewalk, everything else looked in order.
“I’m going to walk down and get the girls,” I told Julian.
“Okay. I’ll take the girl’s bags upstairs.”
I reached Roman’s house and knocked on the door. Sophie answered and immediately hugged me.
“I was so worried about you, Mom.”
“I’m fine, sweetie.” I pressed my lips against the top of her head.
“Mom!” Stella and Sara came to greet me. “Morgan said you’re sick.”
“I’m a lot better now. I think it was something I ate.”
“Hey, come into the kitchen,” Morgan said .
When I walked in, Roman leaned against the island, holding Maddie.
“Hi, Roman.”
“Hi. I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He gave me a strange look.
I glanced at Morgan. “I told him,” she whispered. “I figured Julian got it out of you, so?—”
“It’s fine. The girls didn’t overhear, right?”
“God, no. We talked outside,” she said.
“Well, we have a situation,” I spoke.
“What situation?” Roman’s brows furrowed.
“During the storm, a palm tree crashed through my living room window, so we’re staying at Julian’s.”
“We are?!” The girls exclaimed.
“Yes, my sweet peas, we are. Julian was over when the storm hit. I packed you three a bag, and we’ll stay with him until the window gets fixed.”
“Yay! They jumped up and down. Go get your backpacks. He’s waiting for us.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re staying with him.” Roman smiled. “You’ll be safer at his house anyway. At least until your—Jason leaves the country.”
“The girls can never find out about him, Roman,” I said.
“And they never will.”
Perhaps it was a mistake to hide the truth about their father being alive. However, they didn't need to endure visiting him in prison, which is where he'd be if he hadn't chosen to disappear. Their memories of him are positive, and learning that he felt trapped and resorted to faking his death would lead them to resent him. They would feel responsible, just as I felt. I chose to shield them from that burden to safeguard their well-being .
“We’re ready, Mom.” The girls walked into the kitchen with their backpacks.
“Give Roman and Morgan a hug and tell them thank you.”
As we walked back to Julian’s house, Stella glanced up at me.
“Are you sure you’re feeling better? You seem on edge.”
“I am feeling a lot better. I’m just a little shaken up knowing there’s a tree lying in our living room.” I smiled.
“That is so cool. I want to see it,” Sara said.
“No way. It’s too dangerous.”
“There they are.” Julian smiled, opening the front door.
“Julian!” All three girls ran and hugged him.
“I missed you girls. Get in here.” He ushered them inside. “You okay?” He looked at me.
“Yeah. I’m okay.”
“Can we go swimming, Julian?” Sophie asked.
“You sure can. Go get your suits on. Your bags are in the rooms you stayed in last time.”
They ran up the stairs in a flash.
“I think I’m going to take a bath upstairs. Can you keep an eye on them?”
“Of course. You don’t even have to ask,” he said.
I walked upstairs and entered the only guestroom left, looking for my bag. It wasn’t up here, so I returned downstairs and saw Julian on the patio with the girls. Sneaking into his bedroom, I found my bag sitting on his bed.
“Asshole,” I mumbled. Did he seriously think I was sleeping in the same bed as him?
I took the bag upstairs and started the bath water. Then I turned it off. Maybe swimming with the girls would be better than taking a bath and having my mind go to places it didn’t want to. I slipped my bikini on and headed to the patio. I could feel Julian’s eyes raking over me from head to toe.
“I thought you were taking a bath,” he said.
“I changed my mind.” I jumped into the pool.
“Yay, Mom!” the girls shouted.
I glanced at Julian, who sat there with a smile.
After swimming for a while, I told the girls it was time to get ready for bed. I had work to do before I had to be in court tomorrow.
“Can you send Julian up to say goodnight?” Stella asked.
“Yes.” I smiled. “I love you so much.” I hugged her tight.
“I love you too, Mom. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’ve never been better, sweetheart.” I kissed her forehead.
After saying goodnight to Sara and Sophie, I went downstairs and into the kitchen, where Julian was unloading the dishwasher.
“The girls want to say goodnight to you.”
“Okay.” He set the glass in the cabinet and shut the dishwasher.
I followed him up the stairs, went into the guest room, and shut the door. I knew it would be any second before Julian walked in. Grabbing my laptop and files from my bag, I climbed into bed. I heard a light tap on the door.
“Come in.”
Julian opened the door. “What are you doing?”
“Work for court tomorrow,” I said.
“When I brought your bag in, I set it in my room. Why are you up here?”
“Really, Julian?” I whispered so the girls wouldn’t hear. “Did you just think I’d sleep with you in your bed because you invited us to stay here? ”
“Well, yeah.”
“And do you remember what I told you a couple of weeks ago?” I cocked my head.
“Yeah, but that was then. This is now.”
“Nothing’s changed. You’re very kind to let us stay here, but it changes nothing.”
“I understand.” He left the room and shut the door.