Chapter 24
We leave the airport and take a taxi to the Ellis estate.
The taxi approaches a huge red-brick house surrounded by a black metal gate. As we pull up, Graham's eyes widen. I know the sheer size of the house and grounds has stunned him.
Bianca gasps. “Holy crap, Nora. You lived here?”
I nod. “Yes. And it was hell on earth.”
We go inside. The lawyer stands at the marble kitchen counter. “Hello, Ms. Bellandi. I have the papers ready for you to sign. You're welcome to collect any personal or sentimental belongings you'd like to take with you.”
I approach him and sign the papers, handing everything over to my chosen charity. Then I nod to him and begin walking through the rooms. Footsteps follow me.
My mind feels hazy. This house holds so many terrible memories. I stop outside the bathroom and stare at the window, remembering the night I ran. Tears spill down my face. Two arms close around me, turning me into his chest. I breathe in Graham's scent. He smells amazing.
I clutch his shirt and sob against his chest. He rubs my back and kisses the top of my head. I hear the others' footsteps retreat.
Graham clears his throat. “Talk to me.”
I rest my head on his chest, tears still streaming down my face.
“This is where he beat me badly after I miscarried.
I tried to get into the bathroom to escape him.
He pushed the door open and beat me until I couldn't move. He blamed me for it. Sometimes I blame myself. I lay there for a while, until I heard him fucking a woman upstairs. I took my chance, slipped out that bathroom window, and ran.” My sobs deepen.
Graham's arms tighten around my waist, drawing me closer. I take a deep breath. Being held by him eases the tension and makes me feel safe.
Someone clears his throat. I peer around Graham and see the lawyer. “Miss, I'm sorry, but we should keep moving. We have quite a bit left to cover, including your father's estate. Is there anything you'd like to keep from the Ellis estate?”
I pull away from Graham and wipe my eyes. “No. Get rid of all of it. I don't want anything from that man.”
Outside, I look across the grounds. The estate really is beautiful. It's just plagued by terrible memories.
A firm body settles behind mine. “Thank you,” I say.
Graham kisses the back of my head. “Nora, I'd do anything for you.”
I turn to face him. His eyes search my face, and he bends toward me, our lips almost touching. Footsteps interrupt us, and Graham straightens as Owen and Bianca come onto the front porch. Bianca takes my hand. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “I am.” I kiss her cheek, and we leave for my father's estate.
We pull up outside a beautiful two-story brick home. It isn't nearly as large as Damon's estate, but the house I grew up in is still massive.
After getting out of the car, I stare at the tree in the front yard. I helped my mother plant it when I was little. She was so beautiful, so angelic.
I enter the house and wander through it. Here, at least, I have some good memories of my mother. Because of her, part of me hates letting the place go. But the bad memories outweigh the good.
In my father's study, I look over the books and photographs. Every frame in the office and on the desk shows him with famous business partners. None contains his family. Fucking prick. I open a drawer and find a photograph of my mother holding me when I was born. Why did he keep this?
My eyes settle on the chair, and I remember the day he handed me over to the devil.
My father calls me into his study.
“Sit, Nora. We have things to discuss.”
I sit in the chair across from him. At first, I think he wants to ask where I'd like to go to college.
“You will be marrying Damon Ellis. He's a good man, and he'll take care of you.”
I sit there in shock. “What?”
“Nora, you're an intelligent young woman. I know you understood what I said.”
I shake my head. “No.”
His expression turns cold. He rises, comes around the desk, and sits on its edge in front of me. Then he leans closer. “You will marry him. He's a major investor. He asked for your hand, and I agreed.”
I shake my head harder. “No. I won't marry a man I don't know.”
My father's hand lashes across my face. He just slapped me.
He grits his teeth. “You will marry him. It's already decided. Don't cross me. You'll regret it.”
I'm jolted out of the memory. Graham stands behind the chair I've been staring at. “You okay, Nora?” I nod and put the photo in my purse, wiping away the tear running down my cheek.
I leave the study with Graham following. When I enter my parents' bedroom, I see my mother's vanity.
I sit at it and study the wood, running my hand along it as I try to remember my mother.
Movement catches my eye in the mirror. Graham is leaning in the doorway, watching me.
I look down and open the drawer in front of me.
Inside is a small diamond necklace, delicate and lovely.
It lies over a photograph of my mother and me.
She's wearing the necklace and kissing my cheek while I laugh.
The picture makes my heart smile. I don't remember that moment, but I love that someone captured it.
Graham's deep voice startles me with how close it is. “She's very beautiful. You look just like her.”
I lift my eyes to the mirror and find his intent gaze. He takes the necklace from my hand, opens the clasp, and fastens it around my neck without taking his eyes from mine.
In that moment, I understand that I've never hated Graham. I love him so much. I'm only afraid to let him in.
“Its beauty suits you,” he says.
I smile as footsteps come up the stairs. “Hey, Nora, are you ready to check in at the hotel?” Bianca calls.
“Yeah, I'm ready.” I stand and brush past Graham, a blush warming my face.
Down in the kitchen, I sign everything over to the charity. Then we all head to the hotel.
I wait in the lobby with Bianca and Graham while Owen checks us in. I rub my temple, feeling a stress headache build after the rush of all those emotions.
Owen comes over and hands me a key. “Okay, cockblocker. Here's your key.”
At first, I'm taken aback. He laughs. “You're sharing with the lovely, curvaceous Bianca, while my blue balls and I are stuck with Mr. Joy over here.”
I laugh and shake my head. As soon as we head toward the elevator, Graham smirks and shoves Owen into a wall.