Chapter Thirty-Eight
S pacing out, I forgot what day it was—what time—as my mind replayed the hours I had spent with Greyson in that secret room yesterday…the Obsidian Suite. I shuddered as though he had reached over the miles and was touching me, making me feel all those things again, my first time experiencing true passion.
Was this what addiction felt like?
“Willa!”
I jumped, startled to remember I was standing in my brother’s foyer.
“Where were you just then?” asked Cameron.
I had so many things to be thankful for, I mused, particularly his mind-reading. I blinked at my brother, realizing I had turned back the clock to the steamy events of yesterday.
It made this moment rather boring—a standoff in Cameron’s foyer. We couldn’t agree to disagree.
“Want me to deal with him?” he repeated.
“He’s come all this way.” I couldn’t exactly refuse to see Hugo after he’d flown from New York.
“You don’t have to do this,” Cameron said, his tone serious.
Despite the turmoil, my brother remained steadfast, and I drew strength from him.
He was right though; I didn’t need to face my fear of seeing my ex again. I could let Cameron handle it, handle him.
For a change, Cameron had dressed casually, wearing a wool single-breasted coat over a black sweater and jeans. The only hint of his wealth was his Omega watch.
We kind of matched, only I wore a baggy sweater with a vintage pair of faded jeans, my hair up in a messy bun.
I’d borrowed his office to work from home this Saturday morning, using my iPad to secretly investigate Jewel and her family, delving deep into the hidden layers of her past, back to her childhood years spent in Connecticut.
Now Hugo was outside waiting for me. Cameron had reluctantly let him through the gate.
I tried to reassure my brother I was ready for this reunion. “I’ll be fine.”
“It’s obvious why he’s here.”
I caressed my stomach, hating the way it flipped with excitement and nervousness.
Cameron caught my reaction. “Don’t let him talk you into anything.”
“I won’t.”
“He’s always had this magical hold on you, Willa.”
“Don’t go all psychological warfare on me,” I said. “This is just a breakup.”
“It’s never just a breakup. Not when it involves my sister.”
My brother had been willing to fly to New York to deal with him. Hugo had done him the favor of delivering himself like a lamb to the slaughter. Seriously, did he recall nothing of the times I’d warned him my brother was a dangerous genius?
Cameron relented and opened the front door.
I walked outside and descended the few steps to reach Hugo.
He turned to face me.
That same uneasy sensation in my chest was migrating to my throat in a well of emotions, none of them good, none of them evoking empathy.
His expression softened, his eyes lighting up at the sight of me, as though he hoped to stir my compassion. Though honestly, a lot was riding on this visit—he’d likely burned through all his air miles to get here. It was a strange thought, but I found myself scrambling to think of another reason why he’d come.
Hugo was dressed in his best gray suit—the same one I had bought for him. His hair looked a bit longer now, falling over his eyes in that melancholy, romantic poet-like way that I used to find endearing. He towered over me, his expression changing to sadness, as if I were the one who’d hurt him.
I noticed the bouquet of red roses. He’d rarely bought me flowers before and had only done so now when the last parts of us were fading.
I glanced over at the gate in the far distance. There was a car parked behind it.
“Is that your car?”
“Got an Uber.”
I started to tell him we would have sent a limo, but it was this kind of privilege that had always triggered him.
He glanced toward the front door as though expecting to be invited in. “Can we talk?”
“We can talk here.”
I saw a flash of anger in his eyes, and then it was gone. “These are for you.”
I accepted the flowers just to placate him. “Thank you, they’re beautiful.”
“Listen, Willa, I wanted to explain.”
“Explain what?”
“If we get couples’ therapy, if we really work at this, we can make it.”
It was like he had no idea of the pain he had inflicted. No concept of me carrying around this agony every day, knowing the man I’d trusted had betrayed me.
He smiled. “You could look at my phone any time you like.”
“We’re over, Hugo. I’m not coming back.”
His smile faded. “What do you mean? You have to.”
“It’s not my home anymore.” I tore my gaze away from his. “I’m selling it.”
“The penthouse? But you love it!”
Yes, but the memories of us there have ruined it now.
“Willa, it’s not like you got a job.”
“I have, actually.”
“Doing what?”
“It’s all very new. And I’m very junior.”
He nodded. “I got hired in that coffee shop you love.”
I blinked at him. He’d even encroached on places I still wanted to visit, and now I couldn’t.
I changed the subject. “How have you been, Hugo?”
“Not good. I can’t eat, and sleeping is…” He shook his head, and a flop of hair fell over his face. “When my dad left, I was so lost. I’m not sure I ever recovered from that.”
His “go to” excuse for whenever he fucked up.
“I understand,” I said, trying to sound sympathetic.
He peered over my shoulder and studied the mansion behind me. “This is your brother’s place?”
“Yes, how did you know where to find me?”
He looked sheepish. “Your address book.”
The Liberty address book gifted to me by Aunt Rose. Hugo had gone through my personal items, and it felt like a violation—even though we had once shared a home.
“Did you find somewhere nice to live?” I asked.
“I was hoping you’d come back with me.”
“Hugo…” I paused, not wanting to cause a scene, sensing that dishing out the truth might cause him to react badly. “I need more time.”
He sighed. “You left in the middle of the night. That was stressful for me. It messed with my trust issues. You know that abandonment is one of my fears.”
Funny, how you ended up abandoning me with your actions.
My jaw tightened, and I wanted to blurt out that he’d caused my trust issues. But I knew it was best not to drag this out or encourage him.
“We had so many laughs together.” Hugo pulled a cute face. “We were destined to be a power couple, you know that.”
“A power couple?”
“Yes, you and I had a future together.”
Cameron appeared at the door.
“Hello, Dr. Cole.” Hugo straightened. “Good to see you again.”
“Likewise,” said Cameron brightly, hiding his contempt.
“I need to talk to you,” Hugo said, his tone insistent.
I felt a wave of panic that Hugo had opened the floodgates to a confrontation with Cameron.
Cameron motioned for us to go inside. “You may talk with me,” he said.
It was too late for Hugo…
He gave a nod of reticence and then looked nervous as he followed Cameron into the house.
I was left outside wondering what kind of fallout was ahead of us all. Shaking myself out of this mental fog, I hurried in after the men.
Cameron stood in the foyer, expressionless, with one hand casually tucked inside his trouser pocket. He was coiled tight and ready to psychologically strike.
“Don’t,” I said hoarsely, unsure if I was up to witnessing his brand of annihilation.
Hugo glanced at me.
Cameron tilted his head, trying to appear nonchalant. Nothing about this moment was casual—his brilliant brain was about to wage war against my ex. “What’s on your mind, Hugo?”
“I love your sister,” Hugo replied. “I’m here to persuade her to come back to New York with me, where she lives.”
“Interesting.” My brother’s voice was measured, a psychiatrist assessing a client’s process. “You didn’t think to call?”
“Cameron, please,” I blurted out.
“I’ll only be a moment.” Cameron reassured me with a wave of his hand, a silent let me have these few minutes to convey my disquiet.
With my legs weakening, I sat down on the stairs, feeling a wave of confusion at seeing the man I had once loved intensely. We’d shared so many precious memories, and now here he stood acting as if he hadn’t shattered my existence.
Why did I feel sorry for him? Why did I feel this sudden desire to protect him from my brother—after all he’d done to me? It was like I was put on this earth to protect him, even at the cost of my own happiness, willingly sacrificing my own mental health and pushing my wellbeing aside. Me abandoning me.
Cameron remained silent, staring at Hugo, his way of owning the room.
Hugo stiffened, his Adam’s apple bobbing uncomfortably. He began studying his impressive surroundings, and I remembered he’d always resented our wealth—at times throwing my privilege in my face. Now, Hugo appeared intimidated, which was interesting, because compared to other mansions in the neighborhood, Cameron’s place was modest. Well, as modest as you can get when you’re from a family of billionaires.
Eventually, Hugo broke the silence. “I know I messed up.”
Cameron gave a nod of encouragement.
“I have a lot of work to do on myself,” added Hugo.
Cameron’s brow arched in a I can see that kind of way.
“But I love your sister,” he rambled on. “She means everything to me. That girl, the other one, she meant nothing. She came on to me. I need you to know that, Willa.”
“Look at me,” said Cameron sharply.
Hugo did, his face contorting into a mixture of panic and annoyance, an interesting combination. As if had tried and failed to hold onto his ego.
“I promise from here on out, I will treat Willa with nothing but respect. Ever since my dad left, I’ve felt lost, but Willa’s proven to me that people can be kind and generous.”
Cameron’s lips thinned. “That is good news, Hugo.”
Hugo’s shoulders relaxed and the tension left his face.
Cameron checked his watch, making a thing of it. “Well, if you’ll excuse us, we have a thing.”
“A thing?”
“Yes.”
Hugo looked around as though he’d be invited to wait for us.
“I’ll arrange a car,” said Cameron calmly. “It will take you to the airport.”
Hugo looked confused. “My flight isn’t until tomorrow. I have to get back for exams.”
“Let us do this for you,” Cameron said. “I have a jet heading in that direction. We can pick up your things on the way. Which hotel?”
I tapped Cameron on the arm. “Can I talk with you a second?”
“Sure.”
We headed down the hallway, out of Hugo’s earshot.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“You can’t ask me to walk away, not when there’s a visible trauma bond.”
“What are you talking about?”
“A strong emotional attachment has formed between you and Hugo. It’s toxic. He clearly cycles you through abuse and intermittent affection, creating confusion in you. It’s co-dependence, with you struggling to leave.”
“How can you know that?”
“Trust me, I’ve seen my fair share of these relationships. Experienced them, too, with an old girlfriend. Look, Hugo has not once asked you how you’re feeling.”
“He’s probably intimidated by you.”
Cameron leaned in. “Shay’s going to escort him back to New York. Halfway through the flight, he’ll present him with an NDA.”
“A non-disclosure?”
“Yes.”
“You think that’s necessary?”
Cameron tucked his hands into his pockets. “It’s wise.”
“You think Hugo will agree to sign it?”
“Let me put it like this, we’ll treat him to the finest champagne or any beverage he desires, a delicious hot meal, and all the comforts of luxury travel. He’ll enjoy the best sleeping experience ever while airborne, complete with endless snacks, in-flight entertainment, and every indulgence imaginable.”
I blinked at him, confused. Seriously?
Cameron met my gaze. “Once he’s off that flight, he will replay each of his missteps in vivid detail. No doubt he’ll impose his own form of punishment. It will be a self-inflicted torment, not through external means, but through the mechanism of his own mind. His thoughts will become his judge and executioner.”
“I thought you were an advocate for mental health.”
“He hurt you. There has to be retribution. The consequence for his behavior is he will never have you in his life again.”
Caressing my chest, I recalled the moment when I had discovered Hugo was at the same location as that pretty woman. He’d told me she was “no one special.”
Had he said that to her about me? That we were not happy, that we were not in a committed relationship?
That sinking feeling returned, reminding me of when I first read the messages between them in his phone, proving he was cheating on me. It tore my heart apart all over again.
That awful dread had lasted for days when Hugo refused to speak to me. I had done everything I could to placate him, but it was never enough.
The ghosting.
The lies.
The deceit.
The terrible sex with a selfish partner.
It had been nothing like what I had experienced yesterday with Greyson Grantchester—the best sex of my entire life.
I mean, after that what I had with Hugo was quite simply disappointing.
These thoughts allowed my mind to let go of its protective hold, finally allowing me to accept the truth of all Hugo had done to hurt me.
There was no love left in me for him.
“Maybe Shay can give a parachute to Hugo and throw him out of the plane,” I said at last.
Cameron grinned. “Maybe forget the parachute.”
“Whatever you think is best.” I smiled back at him, amused by his dark humor.
“There you go, finally thinking like a Cole.”