Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Brielle
I stood there in shock as my heart pounded out of my chest. What the hell was he doing here? I picked up my phone and sent a text message to my mom.
“I’m sending Stella down. Can you meet her at the elevator? I just got out of the shower to find Caden playing the piano in my apartment. He wants to talk.”
“Jesus, Bri. I’ll go to the elevator now. Stay calm.”
“Thanks.”
“Grandma is waiting for you at the elevator, Stella.”
“It was nice to see you again, Caden.” She smiled. “Thank you for playing something for me.”
“Umm. You’re welcome, Stella.”
I shut it as soon as she walked out the door and turned to him.
“Who do you think you are just showing up here?”
“Being as stubborn as you are, I knew you wouldn’t answer my call. So, really, I had no choice but to drop by unannounced. Stella seems like an okay tiny human.”
“She’s an amazing child and highly intelligent.”
“She’s very polite and well-mannered for a six-year-old. You’ve done a great job raising her.”
“Thanks. I try my best.”
I walked into the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee. Seeing him hurt my heart even worse than it already was.
“She told me she doesn’t know her father.”
“Jesus Christ, what else did the two of you talk about?”
“What happened with him?”
“Short version of the story. He got me pregnant, and the night I told him, he went out for food and never came back. I haven’t seen or heard from him since.”
“It must have been hard on you,” he spoke.
“It was at first, but then I realized he did us a favor.”
“I agree. How did you escort being pregnant?”
“I wasn’t escorting at the time.” I took a seat at the table. “I had gotten out of the business when I met Daniel and got a job as a secretary at a marketing firm. It didn’t pay much. Certainly not what I made escorting, but I did what I could. While I was on maternity leave, they went out of business, and I was left without insurance and a job. After I had Stella, I blew through everything I had saved. I wasn’t about to let the cycle repeat itself—a single parent with a kid and no money to support her. So, I got back into escorting. It was fast and easy money, and I could give Stella everything she needed and more. So when you asked me what kind of woman with a kid sells her body for money, my answer is the kind of woman who is thinking about her child and wanting to give her the best life possible.”
“I get that. I wish you would have told me about her from the start.”
“Why, Caden? What would it have mattered? I was keeping my personal and business life separate. I always have to protect Stella.”
“I came here to apologize to you for the things I said. I can’t put my mind to rest until I do. So, I’m sorry.”
His apology was sincere. It was probably the most genuine thing he’d ever said to me.
“Okay. I accept your apology.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it, Brielle. You have a really nice place here. Why didn’t you tell me you also had a piano?”
“How could I? You’d want me to play something, and I can’t play. Then you’d be questioning me as to why I had a piano.” I smirked.
“True.” He chuckled. “Listen, I should get going. I just stopped by to apologize to you.”
As much as I wanted him to leave, I didn’t. I wanted to feel his lips against mine again and his strong arms wrapped around me. But I wasn’t sure if things could ever be the same again.
“Thanks for stopping by.” I softly smiled.
“No problem. I’ll see you around sometime.”
He walked to the door and placed his hand on the handle.
“You told Stella you’d play the piano for her again. I wouldn’t want her to be disappointed,” I spoke.
He turned his head, and our eyes met.
“Sure. Maybe sometime I can. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Thanks. You too.”
I felt a sickness in the pit of my belly when he walked out and shut the door. It had been a month since I’d heard from or seen him, and I thought I was getting over it, but seeing him here brought the heartache all over again.
Caden
I climbed into the limo and took in a deep breath. I felt more alive in this moment than I had in a month. She accepted my apology, which was good, but would she truly ever want to see me again after the way I treated her? Shit. I pulled out the card of a therapist that Kyle had given me. It was the same one he saw when he was going through some shit with the company and wanted out all those years ago. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to talk to him just one time. Nobody would ever have to know. Instead of going to his office, Dr. Carlyle agreed to come to my penthouse for a session. He only agreed after I told him I’d triple his fee if he did. Everyone has a price.
Later that evening, at seven p.m. sharp, the elevator door opened, and Dr. Carlyle stepped out.
“You must be Caden,” he spoke as he extended his hand.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet me here, Dr. Carlyle. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. Who am I to turn down a triple fee an hour?” he smirked.
“Can I pour you a drink?”
“No.” He put up his hand. “Water will be fine.”
I poured him a glass of sparkling water and poured myself a double scotch. I was going to need it.
I sat on the couch as he sat in the wingback chair across from me. I told him everything about Cassandra and that night, and then told him about Brielle.
“You took the first step with Brielle in apologizing. That was very good, Caden. But I’m going to be totally honest with you. Until you forgive yourself for the accident and Cassandra’s death, you will never be able to move forward with anyone.”
“How can I forgive myself? It was my fault. If I hadn’t been driving so fast in that storm out of anger, it never would have happened, and Cassandra would be alive today.”
“You don’t know that for sure. Forgiving yourself is crucial, Caden.” He looked at his watch. “Our time is up. I want to see you at least three times a week until you get a handle on this. How is tomorrow night? Same time?”
“Sure. Tomorrow is fine.”
After he left, I poured another drink, took it to the terrace, and leaned over the rail. Talking to Dr. Carlyle wasn’t as hard as I thought. In fact, I felt a little lighter. I couldn’t stop thinking about Brielle and how I wanted to see her again. But I needed to take baby steps to gain her trust back. Plus, I still needed more therapy.