Chapter Two
M y brother’s mansion was so vast, it felt like it would take an eternity to stumble upon any sign of life while I searched for him in the sprawling labyrinth of hallways and rooms.
One of his many paintings caught my attention. It reminded me of Scarlet Winters, one of his close friends. A younger version of her sat with a handsome man on the balcony of a Parisian hotel. But their expressions were tormented, so it wasn’t a happy portrait.
We were dressed nearly the same—me in an Oscar de la Renta robe not dissimilar to Scarlet’s. The two were having breakfast on the balcony with the Eiffel Tower behind them.
In the soft expressions of their sadness, I saw a reflection of myself, as if their melancholy mirrored my own.
It came in waves, this unbearable heartache, making me question whether leaving New York had been the right decision.
If I went back to the place I loved and returned to Hugo, all this pain and agony would go away. Maybe, just maybe, my relationship with him would improve after this break.
For some reason, my brain kept making me forget all the bad stuff—perhaps to protect my sanity. I longed to know why he’d hurt me, and I was desperate to stop feeling like this—like my heart had been ripped out of my chest.
I found Cameron in his office, leaning against his desk, deep in thought. He seemed troubled by something. He’d always seen himself as a person who could take away other people’s pain. Maybe he could help me, too.
He blinked at me, as though only now realizing I was in the doorway. “Hey, come in.”
“Everything okay?” I entered his space.
“Yes.”
Cameron was the kind of man who lived with boldness, unashamed of the paradox that defined him. I knew his secret, too. Aunt Rose had told me he had a kinky side, and I’d found it so him.
I blushed thinking about my brother’s antics, which made me feel self-conscious.
“Is that painting outside of Scarlet?”
He nodded, giving me a smile. “She’s with Ethan now. She gave the painting to us to keep safe. That’s her lover from when she was young.”
“It’s a sad looking painting.”
“It’s a sad story.”
I raised my hand, shaking my head to let him know I didn’t want him to explain. I couldn’t handle more sorrow. Seeing his mood, I couldn’t help but think that neither could Cameron.
I changed the subject. “Who was that guy in the tuxedo?”
“A friend. He’s staying here for a few days.”
“I didn’t know you’d have guests.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” He frowned. “Sorry if I was abrupt when you arrived.”
“I should have called before turning up.”
But I had left in a hurry. Didn’t want to share that.
“Come sit, Willow.”
“Willa.”
He looked surprised. “Shedding the old you? Something must have happened.”
I flopped on his couch. “Tell me about that guy. He’s cute.”
“He’s gone.”
“I thought he was staying?” I felt disappointed.
“He had to be somewhere.”
Reaching for a pillow, I hugged it, thinking about the handsome man. He was a
young Brando type with the same rugged jawline and piercing eyes, oozing sex appeal in that suit crafted by a European tailor. I wanted to know more about him.
“What does he do?”
“I’m more interested in what you’ve been up to.” Cameron became serious. “Is Hugo staying in New York?’
My eyes stung from suppressing unwelcome tears.
“Talk to me,” he said gently.
“I needed a change.”
“You told me you’d never leave New York.”
I sat back, too tired to sleep and too tired to be awake. It was 3:00 A.M. back home. Though it wasn’t my home now. My heart ached for the place I could never return.
“Willa, did something happen?”
His question shook me out of my dark reverie. “No.” The truth felt too bitter. Saying it out loud would made it real.
“Are you going to sell your penthouse?” He folded his arms, his brotherly love shining through.
“I suppose.”
Cameron’s frown deepened. “I’ll help.”
“Can I stay here until I find a place?”
“Of course.” His shoulders relaxed. “Having you closer means—”
“We can hang out.”
“We’d love that. Want to help with our philanthropy?”
“Sure.” But not with the business—our tea empire—the force that had tugged me into a life I’d never wanted.
Cameron came over and sat on the arm of the couch. “It’s over with Hugo?”
“Yes.” Still felt strange to admit it.
Cameron looked thoughtful. “Is he still there?”
“He’s looking for a place.” I felt a physical pain in my chest and put a hand there to soothe the ache of my loss.
Cameron watched my reaction.
“Don’t,” I said, not ready to talk.
He changed the subject eloquently by saying, “Mia’s spending the week with Bailey.” Cameron smirked. “Palm Springs.”
“Raif?” His son was the cutest baby on the planet.
“With Mom and Dad.” He grinned. “You know how much they love being grandparents.”
My eyes twinkled with mischief. “All this and an heir.”
That made him laugh. “Define your life your way.”
I rolled my eyes. That was all well and good until our mom wanted to share her opinion on what was best for us.
“Does Mom know you’re here?” he asked.
“Not yet.”
Cameron slid onto the couch cushion. “What happened with Hugo?”
“We didn’t have a future.”
“Do I have to hunt him down?” His eyes crinkled. “Say the word.”
This was a battle of wills.
“I don’t need you calling him.”
“Or flying out to personally deal with him? Because you know I will.”
“Cameron!”
He chuckled. “Eviscerating a man who’s hurt you would be my pleasure.”
To the world he had it all—a beautiful wife and son. A successful business. He was a man who impacted humanity with his soup kitchens for those in need. It wasn’t easy living in his shadow.
Hugo had done more than break my heart—he’d decimated it. All trust was gone, destroyed for any other man.
I just didn’t want to think about it.
Cameron gave me a sympathetic smile. “Talk to Henry, perhaps?”
Right, our older brother, who also set the bar impossibly high with his remarkable accomplishments. Taking over as CEO of Cole Tea had left him little time for anything else. As a military vet he still struggled with PTSD. Yet he outshined us all. I wondered how he’d react to me moving here.
Cameron pointed to the chess board; another thing he was great at.
“Not in the mood.”
“Tomorrow, then.” He looked over at me. “We can talk about Cole Tea.”
Which was code for saying how I’d play my part in the business. We were all sucked in eventually. One way or another. Either by ambition or fate.
While I understood what a privilege it was to glide effortlessly into a company, it would be hard to turn my back on journalism.
Cameron studied me. “You don’t want to work at Cole Tower?”
I avoided his gaze. “Well, I mean…”
“Have you shared that sentiment with Dad?”
“They don’t even know I’ve left New York.”
“They’ll be surprised. But I get it.”
I couldn’t stay.
I waved my hand in the air, not wanting to talk about it.
Everything back home reminded me of Hugo. He’d ruined Central Park. Tainted visits to Fifth Avenue. Stained my fondness for the cafés we’d once visited. Every single landmark of my favorite city reminded me of him.
This heartache felt permanent.
“Willa,” said Cameron, his tone gentle. “I hate seeing you like this. Please, let me help.”
“I haven’t told you anything.”
“You don’t need to.”
I didn’t want to sob in front of him. “I’m a little lost.”
“Your heart is your compass,” he said softly. “It will guide you. And it already has. Because you’re here.”
“L.A. is just so sprawling.” My tone of voice gave away my uneasiness.
He brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes. “I think a place near the ocean might suit you.”
I nodded, trying to smile.
“The sound of the waves. It’s good for the soul.”
My throat tightened. “Does it get any easier?”
“It will.”
“Really?”
“Life can become everything you want and more.” He gave me a look that reflected empathy. He knew Hugo had hurt me. “Sometimes you have to sacrifice your relationship on the altar of your sanity.”
“That’s very deep.”
“Can’t help myself.” He winked.
He always did have a way with words, strung together to deliver the truth in all its agonizing glory. I gave a nod, because saying more would open the floodgates.
Cameron reached out and pulled me toward him, and I sunk against my brother’s chest, breathing in his familiar scent, reminding me of a home filled with safety and forgiveness and everything else that was good in this world. My shoulders relaxed and I let out a sigh of relief, as though only now feeling safe.
“Why can’t I find a man with integrity?” I gripped his arm. “Someone perfect, like you.”
“I think you’re confusing me with Henry,” he said, chuckling. “Willa, I’m here for you in any way you need.”
Cameron kissed my forehead, and I felt the sting of tears.
“I thought he was the one.”
“It’s your energy that made him seem special, you know that, right?”
“Not so sure about that.”
“I am.”
“I didn’t know anyone else who would understand.” I sucked back a sob. “Didn’t know where else to go.”
After realizing my life had crashed and burned, I’d packed up a bag and hopped on a plane, telling no one—not even Hugo. I’d just turned up here and hoped for the best. I’d been too emotional to think straight—but with that potential job lined up I’d felt some sense of a future.
He hugged me tighter.
“You’re the only one who gets it,” I said.
“Henry’s good with these things, too.”
Because his wisdom knew no bounds. He’d literally been captured during a tour of duty in the Middle East. Then tortured. After that, our brother had returned home a changed man. We were all humbled by his sacrifice and bravery.
As bad as life seems, it was never that kind of experience where you were fighting for your life.
Cameron pulled away and gave me a reassuring smile. “Let’s spend the day together tomorrow. Would you like that?”
“I’d love it,” I said. But there was also somewhere else I had to be tomorrow. Telling him where would set off a thousand more questions.
“Stay for as long as you like,” he whispered.
His house was like a sanctuary. I could breathe freely here, knowing his presence was enough to quiet the storm.
Tomorrow, a mile from Cole Tower, I had the most important interview of my life. I just hoped that Cameron, whose opinion I trusted most in the world, wouldn’t be the one who tried to block my dream.