CHAPTER 10
“Sometimes all we need is a kind word to make everything fall into place…”
COLIN ADAMS
I’d been tense all morning, buried in work.
Even the things that used to give me pleasure were now testing my patience.
“Damn it, Colin!” I snapped at myself, frustration boiling over. I didn’t know what else to do—if I didn’t finish this part of James’s project, everything that came next would fall apart.
I decided to take a shower, hoping it might help me calm down. But the moment the water hit my skin, my mind drifted straight to Isabelle.
Why does she keep showing up in my head? I can’t stand how easily she slips in, how impossible it is to block her out even in my own home.
Our first kiss never should’ve happened. Nor the second. Maybe not even the third…
I’m losing control. I had to threaten her job just to make her stay at a safe distance. It’s not the right thing to do—but it’s the only way this won’t destroy us both.
It has to be.
I thought back to her questions this morning. Sometimes Isabelle’s curiosity drives me crazy; my eyes and my face give me away every time. But deep down, I know she doesn’t mean any harm. She actually cares.
“What an idiot,” I muttered, looking up at the ceiling, my chest tightening with anger. “Thinking anyone actually gives a damn about me.”
And once again, I felt that familiar sting of being left behind—by him, of all people.
I tried to keep working, but the block was still there, hanging over me like a fog I couldn’t shake. It’s been this way ever since... well, that’s obvious enough.
Three knocks hit the door of my room. That kind of knock always means one thing—someone from the staff needs to talk to me.
“Come in.”
Jeanne, one of the housekeepers, stepped inside, pale as paper and clearly uncomfortable, her eyes fixed anywhere but on me. I know I come off as a monster most of the time—I can’t even blame her for it.
“What is it?” I asked, watching her tremble.
“Uh... it’s just that... the girl... she’s asking for you.”
I narrowed my eyes, and Jeanne flushed even redder, fumbling with her words.
“The girl...?”
“Hanna. She asked for you. I told her you didn’t want to be disturbed, but... she really insisted.”
For a few seconds, I replayed what she’d said. Why would Hanna be calling me?
“Where is she?”
“At the park.”
“All right. Tell her I’ll be there in five minutes.”
I’m not sure who looked more surprised—me, for actually agreeing to go, or Jeanne, for hearing me sound so decisive.
“Okay,” she said quickly before leaving.
I needed to get out of that room anyway. And honestly, I was curious—why the hell was Hanna calling for me?
Either way, there was only one way to find out.
I didn’t have to look for the little one for long. She was playing by herself at the park, with Jeanne keeping a watchful eye on her.
I was almost certain Isabelle had no idea Hanna had asked for me—and I doubted she’d approve if she did.
I stood there for a few minutes, watching her play. There’s something beautiful about being a child—no problems, no worries, just joy. I never had that kind of freedom growing up, but I did everything I could to make sure Joshua and Maddison did.
“Hi, Uncle Colin.”
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even notice her until she was right beside me, looking up with those big curious eyes.
There’s something about her presence that completely disarms me, and I still don’t know why it happens so often.
Maybe it’s her innocence, or that effortless honesty in her voice—but I just can’t bring myself to be stern with her.
“Hey,” I said quietly.
“You knew I called you?”
“Yeah. Jeanne told me. What is it you need?”
“Hmm. Nothing.”
“Nothing?” I frowned. “Really?”
What is this little rascal up to now?
“Uh-huh. You were all alone in your room, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t like being alone. It feels bad, doesn’t it?”
How could I tell her I’d gotten used to it? That sometimes I even preferred the quiet ache of solitude that followed me every day?
“Sometimes it does,” I admitted.
“Uh-huh. That’s why I called you—so you wouldn’t be sad like you were yesterday.”
I froze again. This kid was sharper than I’d ever realized. She’d picked up on my mood and connected the dots—I was sure of it. For someone so small, Hanna noticed everything.
“I’m better today,” I said, glancing away. I couldn’t hold her gaze; she was too pure, too untouched by the kind of darkness that lived inside me.
“Do you work?” she asked, drawing my eyes back to her.
“Yes. I’m an architect.”
“Ar...chi...tock?” she tried, stumbling over the word—and honestly, it was adorable.
I couldn’t help but smile. “No. Ar-chi-tect,” I repeated slowly.
“Ar...chi...tock. Got it, right?”
“Yes. You nailed it,” I said, feeling a bit sheepish.
She giggled, clearly proud of herself. She’s funny—curious like her mother—and, strangely enough, I don’t mind her constant questions. She’s one of the very few people who manage to do that to me.
Then I noticed Joshua walking toward the park, eyeing us with that same wary expression he’d worn lately. Things between us hadn’t been good. Every time I tried to talk to him, he either ignored me or walked away without a word.
“Hi,” Hanna greeted him cheerfully, as I knew she would.
“Who are you?” he asked, guarded.
“My name’s Hanna. We can play together if you want.”
Joshua looked at her, then at me, his whole body tense.
“I don’t want to play with you!” he blurted out.
“Joshua, what did I tell you about—”
“And I don’t want to talk to you either!”
He stormed off, leaving me standing there, the sting settling deep in my chest. Once again, that wall between us felt higher than ever.
“I’m sorry, Hanna,” I said softly. “My son’s upset. I’m sure he didn’t mean that.”
“Oh, it’s okay,” she said with a little shrug. “He probably misses his sister. That’s why he doesn’t want to play. But we’ll play anyway!”
“What?” I asked, startled.
“My mom says I can be annoying sometimes because I don’t give up. So yeah, I’m gonna play with him, Uncle Colin.”
That... I didn’t see coming. But it made me smile. At least someone was trying to reach Joshua—because clearly, even his own father hadn’t managed to.