Chapter Eleven
Elliot
The anger simmering beneath my skin is concerning.
I’m not sure how I know, but I have a gut feeling that Seraphine’s father did this on purpose.
The mention of her father being a horrible man by Harrison tells me all I need to know.
And the thought of a father doing something like that to their child on purpose angers me beyond belief.
Though my son and I don’t have the best relationship, I would never do something to hurt him.
Quite the opposite, actually. I do all that I can to make his life good, to make him happy and give him everything he needs. I would never do something to hurt him.
Well, I suppose that remains to be seen… but really, how much could what Seraphine and I did hurt him, when he’s the one who cheated on her and effectively ended their relationship?
“Bring her inside. Let me close the door,” I say.
I shut it as Harrison leads Seraphine to the living room just past the kitchen. There is a beautiful view of the city from the floor to ceiling windows. I get a bottle of water from the fridge and go to them.
“Do you need anything, baby?”
Baby? Why is he calling her that when they’ve broken up? And why in God’s name do I care?
Clearing my throat to make myself known, because standing here isn’t doing it, I offer the cold bottle of water to Seraphine when she looks up at me, those gorgeous green eyes filled with fresh tears.
It makes me want to hurt the man who caused them, but then I remember he’s already dead.
And then I remember my son has also caused her pain, and well, I won’t cause him that sort of pain.
But I will help her. Make her better. Show her what it’s like to be cared for by someone who isn’t a complete fool.
God, what is wrong with me? My head is a goddamn mess.
I don’t even know this young woman, yet…
I can’t stop thinking about her, wanting her, needing her.
It’s turning into an obsession that I have no control over.
I’ve never felt such possession over someone, such anger over knowing they’re hurting. It’s maddening.
“Dad?”
The tone in which Harrison calls my name tells me it isn’t the first time he’s said it.
“Yes? Sorry.”
“Can you start some tea and get Sera some aspirin?”
“Oh, yes. Of course.”
My feet stay rooted in place, though. I hold Seraphine’s gaze that is locked onto mine, some mystery emotion lingering in those doe eyes of hers. After a moment too long of staring, I turn and head into the kitchen, loosening my tie as it’s suddenly choking me.
I put on the tea kettle and prepare a mug, searching through cabinets to find where Harrison keeps the tea.
All I find is loose leaf, a peppermint rooibos blend that I hope she’ll like.
I prepare it with two sugars, hoping to gauge her sweetness palette by the way she ordered her coffee.
As I wait for the kettle, I head to the bathroom and dig through the cabinet for aspirin, coming across multiple bottles of energy supplements and vitamins, pain relief creams and patches.
I find the bottle of aspirin behind it all.
Bringing the bottle to them, I linger for a moment, trying to see if they are sharing any words that I may find important.
Harrison is sitting on the couch, so close their thighs are touching, with his arm around her, rubbing her shoulder.
All I know is I am certain Angela would not be happy with this scenario, and though Seraphine comes across as weak on the outside, I can’t imagine her being okay with this either. After all, she did not fight for my son, did not beg for him back. She accepted what happened and moved on.
So why is it that she ran here after this catastrophic event?
Perhaps she has nowhere else to go?
That will change.
Or maybe it’s just a moment of weakness. Needing something familiar?
The kettle whistles and I hurry to the kitchen to pour the tea and bring the mug over to set on the end table.
“It needs a few minutes to steep, but hopefully I made it to your liking.”
“Thank you,” Seraphine mutters, sniffling.
I reach for a tissue to hand her, but Harrison beats me to it, giving her the box.
I was going to pluck one and hand it over.
Why not make it easier for her and give her directly what she needs?
Especially in a time like this when I am sure her brain wants nothing but to shut down.
“You should stay here for a few days,” Harrison says to Seraphine, running his hand over her cheek.
Well, that image infuriates me.
“She’s already agreed to stay with me.”
At exactly the same time, they snap their heads up to face me. “What?” they both say. Seraphine is confused while Harrison’s anger is mirroring my own. I realize my mistake and quickly fix it.
“Well, not with me, but in one of my apartments,” I amend, not wanting Seraphine to be uncomfortable but needing her to be away from my son. This setting isn’t good for her. She’s still in pain over what Harrison did to her. At a time like this, she doesn’t need a reminder of that.
“Why in the world would she do that?” Harrison spits out, glaring at me.
“She agreed to work for me. I’m paying her a generous hourly wage that will allow her to get on her feet.
Along with the pay was other perks. I’m sure you’re well aware of them,” I say pointedly, trying to make it seem like this is all for him and nothing more.
He did ask me to fix this, and though this may not be the right way—or the real reason—it’s what’s happening.
Harrison blinks a few times, then says, “I don’t think it’s a good idea for her to be alone. She should stay with someone.”
“I’ll be fine,” she says, putting her hand on Harrison’s arm. I stare at it, suddenly wishing I were one of those superheroes who could move objects with their eyes. Or burn them off. “Your father was nice enough to offer me a job and a place to stay, I shouldn’t deny it. Not after all this.”
She gives him a watery smile, and I want to drop to my knees and pull her into my arms. Hold her and make everything better. If only she’d let me.
“You can stay here and work for him,” Harrison says.
Seraphine licks her lips, and I catch the worry in her eyes.
Has she realized that coming here was a mistake? Does she know her worth? Know it’s more than what my son has to offer? Only a fool would cheat on someone as wonderful as her. She has to know that. She knows that, right?
“Given the circumstances, Harrison, maybe it’s best she has her own place for a while, don’t you think?” I wait a beat then add, “After all, when was the last time she had her own space?”
The way Harrison looks at me, I think he’s on to me. But something changes in his eyes almost immediately and he nods. Perhaps a reminder that he is dating his sister—and he just told me they are living together.
“Fine, but I’ll go with you to get your things from the house. I don’t want you there alone.” Harrison gets to his feet. “And I have a box of your things you left here.”
He exits the room, leaving Seraphine and I alone. I watch her as she stares at the floor, wanting to go to her but knowing that would not be acceptable or appropriate.
“Please, stop staring at me,” she whispers.
“My apologies,” I say, bringing my gaze out the window.
Everything is awkward now that she called me out.
I don’t know where to stand, what to say, or what to do.
So I go into the kitchen and clean up the mess Harrison and I made.
He returns a few moments later with a box and his car keys in hand.
He shares a few quiet words with Seraphine, then he helps her to her feet and moves toward the door.
“Lock up before you leave,” he says to me. “And text me what apartment she’ll be at.”
The second the door closes, I pull out my phone and send him the address of the building closest to mine.
Then I call the building manager, hoping like hell there is an opening.
If there isn’t, he better make one within the next hour, no matter what he has to do to make that happen.
My son had his chance with Seraphine; now I want mine.