Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
ONE MONTH LATER
Brielle
I spent all my days and nights with Stella, and as much as she loved having me around 24/7, she did start asking questions. She wondered why I wasn’t working anymore. I told her I was taking a break to spend more time with her before she started school in the fall.
One afternoon, I decided to go to Kyle’s restaurant and see if I could talk to him.
“Can I help you?” the hostess asked when I walked inside.
“Is Kyle Chamberlain available?”
“May I ask who’s asking?”
“Brielle Winters.”
“Let me go check. I’ll be right back.”
“Brielle,” I heard Kyle’s voice as he approached me.
“Hi, Kyle. I’m so sorry for just dropping in like this. I was wondering if I could steal a moment of your time?”
“Of course. Let’s go sit down over here. Are you hungry?”
“No. I’m fine. Thank you.”
We sat at a table in the corner, and he had a waitress bring us some coffee.
“So, what’s up?”
“I need to know what happened in Caden’s past.”
“Gee, Brielle. It’s not my place to tell you.”
“I know it isn’t, and if I weren’t desperate, I wouldn’t be here asking. Please, Kyle.”
“What does it matter now, Brielle? Even if I tell you, it won’t change anything.”
“I know it won’t. But I need to know because I care very deeply for him. If I could know what happened, I think it would help me move on.”
“Eight years ago, Caden was in a car accident. The same accident that took the life of his girlfriend, Cassandra. He received a call from one of her girlfriends. They were at a party, and Cassandra had gotten involved with some drugs, so they called him to come get her. When he got there, he found her on the couch, making out with some guy. He put her in the car, and they argued about the guy and the drugs. It was storming really bad that night, and when Caden was going around a curve, he lost control of the car and hit an oncoming truck. The impact of the accident killed Cassandra instantly, and Caden escaped with a couple of broken ribs and some bruises. He’s blamed himself every day for that accident and Cassandra’s death.”
“But it was an accident,” I spoke.
“I know. But my brother doesn’t see it that way. Since that night, he’s closed off his entire self to everyone. He put all of his energy and focus into the company. I hated seeing him go through what he did. That accident changed him. He doesn’t allow himself to get involved with women romantically. It’s just sex. If a woman wants more, he immediately cuts her off until you. I know my brother, Brielle, and he would never pay for sex. I believe he did that with you to keep you around without admitting he had feelings for you. Despite what you think about him, he’s not a bad man. He’s just damaged. How old is your daughter?”
“She’s six. I should have told him, Kyle.”
“Nah. You kept your personal life separate from your business life, and Caden needs to understand that you had every right to.”
“I can imagine what you must think of me and my line of work. Caden asked me what kind of person would sell their body when they have a kid.”
“I don’t like to judge people because you never know someone’s circumstances. You’re an amazing and smart woman, Brielle, and you’re doing what you have to in order to provide for your daughter. I get that, and Caden does, too. He just won’t admit it.”
“Thank you, Kyle. I’ve decided to get out of the business. I’m done with escorting, and I’m going to find something else. I’m considering taking Stella and moving away from New York to make a fresh start.”
“You can always make a fresh start exactly where you are. Don’t let my brother and his actions force you away from your family and friends.”
I gave him a small smile as I placed my hand on his.
“Thank you for talking to me.”
“You’re welcome, Brielle. Any time.”
We both stood up from our chairs, and I hugged him lightly.
“Bring Stella into the restaurant, and dinner is on me.” He smiled. “I’d love to meet her.”
Caden
I spent the last month working more than ever, trying to keep myself busy enough so I didn’t have time to think about her. Did it work? No. It also didn’t help that I sat outside her apartment building and watched her come and go from time to time. The chaos in my head was overwhelming, and I couldn’t control the thoughts of her and what happened that night eight years ago. Kyle suggested I go to therapy and talk to someone, but that wasn’t my style. I had a hard enough time opening up as it was, and speaking to a stranger wouldn’t be any easier.
I took a deep breath as I walked into her building and took the elevator to the seventh floor. Finding out which apartment she lived in wasn’t complicated, especially when money was involved. Like I said before, everyone has a price. I knocked on the door, and when it opened, the tiny human was standing there staring up at me.
“Do you always open the door for total strangers?” I asked.
“I looked through the peephole first. You’re the man from the art gallery. We talked, so you’re not a total stranger.”
“Okay. Anyway, is your mom home?”
“She’s in the shower. Did you come here to upset her again?”
I furrowed my brows at her.
“No. I came here to speak to her.”
“You can come in and wait until she gets out of the shower,” she spoke as she opened the door wider.
I stepped inside and looked around. Her place was very nice and as clean as a whistle.
“Would you like some coffee?” she asked.
“Umm. Sure.”
She pushed a step stool to the counter, took down a mug, and poured some coffee. I stood there with my head cocked and stared at her. As she went to pick up the mug, I ran over and took it from her before she spilled it and burned herself.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Cream and sugar?” she asked.
“No. Black is fine. What is your name again?”
“Stella.”
“I’m Caden. How old are you?”
“Six.”
“Is your father around?”
“No. I don’t know my dad. My mom said he was a coward and took off when he found out she was going to have me. She said we’re better off without him in our lives.”
“She’s right.”
I continued looking around and noticed a baby grand piano sitting in the corner. I found it odd she never told me she also had one.
“Nice piano.”
“Thank you. My mom bought it for me. I’m teaching myself how to play. Music is good for the soul.”
“What kind of music are you teaching yourself?”
“Classical music.”
“I play the piano too. My mother taught me when I was a child.”
“Really?” She grinned. “Can you play something for me?”
“I guess I could.” I narrowed my eyes at her.
We walked over to the piano, and I sat on the bench. I placed my hands on the keys and began to play a Mozart tune. Before I knew it, she sat beside me with a smile.
“Wow!” The smile on her face grew wider.
“It’s all in the feeling. You have to feel each note.”
“Stella, when did you learn—Oh, my God!”
I stopped playing, turned around, and stared at her as she stood in a black silk robe with soaking-wet hair.
“Mommy, look who came over.”
“Hello, Brielle.”
“What the hell are you doing here, Caden?”
“I thought it was time we talked,” I replied.
“Stella, I need you to go down to Grandma’s. I’ll call her and tell her to meet you at the elevator.”
“But, Mommy. I want to stay and listen to Caden play.”
“Stella, now!”
“You better do as your mom says. I can play for you again some other time.”
“Okay.” She huffed as she got up from the bench.