Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Brielle
I stood there and watched his limo pull away from the curb. My body was shaking as tears started to fall down my face. I wiped my eyes, for I couldn’t let Stella see me crying. I composed myself and walked back into the art gallery to fetch her.
“Is something wrong, Mommy?” she asked.
“No, sweetie. We need to go home now.”
“Who was that man, and why did he upset you?”
“He’s a friend and didn’t upset me, sunshine. Come on, we have to go.”
When we climbed into the car, Ben looked back at me to ensure I was okay.
“We’re ready to go home now,” I said.
“Sure thing, Brielle.”
I pulled out my phone and sent a text message to my mom.
“Caden found out about Stella, and it didn’t go well. Can I please drop her off with you for a while? I need to be alone.”
“Shit. Of course. Steven and I are heading back home now. Just take her home, and I’ll stop by and pick her up. I’ll figure out some excuse.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Trying to hold it together was nearly impossible when all I wanted to do was fall apart. But I couldn’t. I wouldn’t let Stella see me like that. When we arrived home, Stella went to the piano and practiced while I cleaned the kitchen. A few moments later, there was a knock at the door, and Steven and my mom stood there when I opened it. She could tell I was upset but didn’t want to make a big deal about it in front of Stella.
“Grandma! Steven! What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Hello, my sweet girl. How would you like to spend the rest of the day and night with Steven and me? We have tickets to see Annie on Broadway!” she spoke excitedly.
“Really? Mommy, can I?” She jumped up and down.
“Yes. Of course, you can.” I smiled as I patted her head. “Why don’t you go change your clothes?”
“Okay.”
“And pack your pjs because we’ll be home late, and you can sleep in your room at my house,” my mom said.
“How did you get tickets to see Annie that fast?” I asked.
“Steven has connections.” She smiled. “What happened?”
“We were at the art gallery, and so was he. Of all the people she chose to talk to, she chose him. That’s when he found out. He told me he never wanted to see me again and that our contract was over.” Tears filled my eyes.
“Oh, Brielle.” She placed her hands firmly on my shoulders. “It’s best this way. You know that, right?”
I stood there and slowly nodded, trying to stop the tears from falling.
“Okay, I’m ready!” Stella announced.
I knelt and kissed her forehead.
“You be good for Grandma and Steven, and I’ll see you in the morning. Have fun watching Annie. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mommy.”
The moment they stepped out, I shut the door, leaned against it, and slowly fell to the ground while the tears I had held back all that time flooded my eyes.
Caden
“Do you believe it? Do you believe she had a kid this whole time and didn’t tell me?” I asked Kyle.
“Calm down, Caden.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down. I’m pissed as hell. I told her I never wanted to see her again and that our contract was over.”
“A little harsh. Don’t you think?”
“Harsh? Are you fucking kidding me? She lied to me!”
The car pulled up to my building. Kyle and I climbed out and went up to my penthouse. I walked over to the bar and poured each of us a scotch.
“She didn’t lie to you, bro. If you had asked her if she had a kid and she said no, she would have lied to you. But you never asked, and she never told you. All she did was keep her kid out of this damn business arrangement you had.”
“It doesn’t matter. She should have told me.” I downed my drink and poured another one.
“Why? Why should she have told you? Again, the two of you had a business deal. Do you know the personal lives of every single one of your clients?”
“That’s different!” I snapped.
“No. No, it’s not. The only reason you’re so pissed off right now is because you fell for her. If feelings weren’t involved, you wouldn’t give a damn. And don’t you dare sit there and tell me I’m wrong.”
I said nothing as I downed my second drink and slammed it on the bar.
“What kind of woman sells her body when she has a kid?” I shouted.
“The kind of woman where apparently no father is involved, and she needs to support her child. You don’t know her story, man. She told you what she wanted you to know, just like you told her what you wanted her to know. You weren’t completely honest with her about your past.”
“Why the hell would I be?”
“Exactly. And why would she? Think about it. I have to go. Mercedes will be home soon. Call me later when you calm down and can think rationally.” The moment he stepped inside the elevator and the doors shut, I picked up my glass and threw it against the wall.