Chapter 29
TWENTY-NINE
STERLING
Placing my paintbrush on the table, I take a step back and look at the canvas before me. It’s another rendition of Harlow, the one I started the night we returned from Bandits Bar a few weeks ago. Ordinarily I don’t stop painting once I start, my synesthesia usually forcing me to work on the painting until it’s complete, but this piece has taken me weeks to get to this point, and that in itself is an anomaly.
When Harlow left for London with our parents a week ago, I returned to the studio, needing to lose myself in my art to escape the emptiness I felt in her absence. I haven’t left since. The only breaks I’ve taken were to eat the meals Stephanie insisted I have, to relieve myself, and to grab a few hours of sleep when exhaustion finally caught up with me. The blisters on my hands, the paint on my skin and in my hair—it's all proof of how much I've missed her. In a couple of hours, she’ll be home, and I’m nearly frantic with the need to see her again, to hold her, to kiss her, to lose myself in her.
Tilting my head to the side, I study the vibrant colours in the soft morning light. The brush strokes are still fresh in some places, if a little haphazard, as though I can't quite decide how to capture the lightness that has slowly crept into my life since Harlow’s been in it.
“Beautiful,” I mutter, letting my fingers trace the contours of Harlow’s face. The same face I’ve memorised in the quiet moments when we’re together, when the world outside falls away. I think about the way she laughs, the way her eyes soften when she looks at me, how completely free she is when she sings. I think about the way her body reacts to my touch as though every brush of my fingers against her skin ignites a fire within her, something I feel only too keenly myself.
Her absence these past few days has made everything feel off-kilter. The silence in the studio, the emptiness I feel—hell, even the light feels different without her.
I pull my hand away, taking in a deep breath. The air smells of paint and sweat, a scent I’ve always associated with creation. But today, it’s tainted with the gnawing ache of impatience. I need her back. I need her in my arms where she belongs.
Behind me, the door creaks open, and I turn, half-expecting to see her standing there, as if my thoughts alone could summon her here. But it’s just a draft, and I let out a short laugh at myself, shaking my head. I’m losing it.
My amusement is interrupted as my phone buzzes on the table, and I glance at the screen, seeing Ben’s name. It’s been a while since we last talked. He’s been busy with the bar, and trying to get a record deal for Princetown Bandits, and I’ve been busy painting in my studio distracting myself until Harlow’s return.
Snatching it up I answer. “Ben, what’s up?”
“I’ve got some bad news,” he instantly replies.
My spine stiffens. “What kind of bad news?”
“It’s Daisy, she’s in hospital. Fuck man, it’s not good.”
“What are you talking about? I thought Dalton and Daisy were still on their honeymoon.”
“They came home yesterday. Daisy collapsed at home. She’s had a…”
“What?” I exclaim, running a hand through my hair.
“She’s had a miscarriage, Sterling. Drix tells me it was early, but there were complications.”
“Jesus, I didn’t even realise they were…” I let my voice trail off. It’s none of my business whether or not they’ve been intimate. “How are they holding up?”
Ben heaves out a heavy sigh. “Not well. I don’t know all the details, but Drix tells me that they found out Daisy has an underlying medical condition which was picked up following the miscarriage and subsequent operation. She may never be able to conceive again.”
“Fuck, Ben. That’s awful. Is there anything I can do?” I offer, feeling fucking helpless.
“There is actually. Drix asked if one of us could check in on Lia and Toby. Despite her ex being in custody, he’s still worried about them. I can’t do it because I’m stuck at the bar. Can you head over there, make sure they’re okay?”
“I’d be happy too,” I reply.
“Thanks, I’ll let him know. There is one other thing,” he adds.
“What is it?”
“Dalton wanted to let you know that they’re not telling Carl the real reason she’s in hospital, and has asked you to keep this between us. Right now he’s trying to figure out how to handle the fact that Daisy might not be able to conceive an heir. We both know his cunt of a father won’t take the news well given an heir is all he wanted out of this marriage.”
“Of course, I won’t say anything.”
“I suspect this whole situation is going to get worse before it gets better, and they’re going to need us when it does.”
“I’ll be there. Maybe once Daisy’s had time to recover physically and they’ve both had time to process everything we could get together for dinner, just our group, figure out the next steps?”
“Yeah, that sounds good. Just give them some time before you suggest it. I don’t think either of them will be up for socialising for a while yet.”
“That’s understandable,” I agree, and we both fall silent as we digest the news.
“Sterling?” Ben questions after a while.
“Yeah?”
“When things like this happen it makes you re-evaluate your life choices, doesn’t it?”
“It certainly puts things into perspective, yes,” I agree.
“And on that note, I’ve decided to stop fucking around and call Hoxton, get things in motion.”
“When?”
“As soon as possible. I have the funds, I have a plan, and this time I’m going to be the thief. He stole her from me, and I’m going to steal her right back.”
“You’ve got this all figured out,” I observe, thinking about my own relationship with Harlow. Truth be known, I’ve been biding my time in dealing with my father under the guise of giving Harlow space to get used to us, when in reality I’ve been too shit scared to tell her the truth about me .
“When you want something enough, you find a way, right?” Ben replies.
“Even when it’s messy?” I counter.
“Elodie’s worth it. I guess you’ve just got to figure out if Harlow is worth it too,” he replies.
“But I thought you agreed that I shouldn’t–” I begin, but he interrupts.
“I know what I said at the engagement party, but today we’ve both had a reality check. I’m done fucking about. Are you?” he asks, before clicking off the call.
Swiping a hand through my hair, my thoughts wander back to Harlow. It’s about time I tell her the truth about who I am, and I need to trust that she’ll still want me when I do.
“Oh, so you think Daisy’s pregnant too?” I hear Melody say as I step into the lounge in search of Harlow a few hours later. “Because I was thinking exactly the same thing. How else would she manage to pin down such a man?”
“Watch what you say about my friends,” I snap, not bothering to hide my anger as Melody turns to face me, her phone pressed to her ear. Her eyes widen for a fraction of a second before she mutters something to whoever is on the other end of the line then hangs up.
“Sterling, I didn’t realise you were there,” she says, forcing a smile as if that alone could erase the harsh words she just spoke. I honestly don’t know what my father sees in her. She might be beautiful, but her personality makes her ugly.
“What exactly do you think you’ve heard?” I retort, my hackles rising. If she has any idea how close to the truth she is, then things are going to blow up for Dalton and Daisy sooner rather than later.
“It’s just silly gossip,” she replies, waving her hand in the air. “I’m sure they’re very much in love.”
My shoulders relax a fraction. The gossip mill clearly hasn't found out about Daisy’s hospitalisation just yet, and I’m hopeful Dalton is able to come up with something convincing to cover the fact she’s just miscarried their baby. The last thing either of them need is the elite of Princetown finding out and making things a hundred times worse for them.
“Where are the others?” I ask, noticing that neither Harlow nor my dad are in the room.
“Robert is just parking the car in the garage, and Harlow is still in London.”
My head snaps back around as I look at Melody. “Why is she still in London?”
“Robert seemed to think that she was still a little out of sorts, and he thought taking in the sights of London, and doing some shopping might help her to deal with whatever’s on her mind. She’s been distracted all week,” Melody replies, rolling her eyes. “So he’s paid for her to stay another night at the Godolphin on Marleybone.”
“When will she be back?” I ask, trying to keep my cool.
“Tomorrow evening. Which is rather inconvenient given there’s still a long list of things I need her to do for me. Honestly, Sterling, Harlow really needs to get her priorities straight, she’s becoming entirely too selfish in my opinion. I’m going to have a word with Robert to stop coddling her. I think he’s overcompensating because she’s grown up without a father figure,” she continues on.
I turn on my heel not bothering to listen to a second more of her vitriol as I rush out of the door. Pulling out my car keys from my back pocket. I reach the garage just as my father is stepping out.
“Where are you going?” he asks.
“I’m heading over to Drix’s place, he wants me to check in on Lia and Toby whilst he’s at the hospital with Daisy. I’ll be gone for the night.”
“Why is Daisy at the hospital?” my father asks, surprise lifting his brows.
“Call Carl, I’m sure he’ll fill you in,” I retort, before brushing past him and climbing into my car, not bothering to tell him that once I’ve made sure Lia and Toby are okay, I’m driving to London to see the woman I love.