Chapter Twenty-Five #2
He puts his hands up in a surrender motion. “I’m not here to fight, that’s for sure. I was with your father when he fell ill. I called your mother and asked her to call yo—”
“If this is some sick, fake plan to get me to come home, well… you’re both mistaken. I hate all of you right now,” I say, pointing to Daddy and then Joseph.
“Deliah, you can’t fake heartburn, darling. Your father was petrified a few hours ago, and I was extremely worried. I needed you here. I need my family. Speaking of family, where’s Colt? I thought he’d come with you?”
“Are you fucking kidding me? I told Colt not to come because it should be family. Then I arrive to see that you think Joseph is part of our family. This is ridiculous.” I groan in frustration and shut my eyes.
“Deliah, don’t swear. It doesn’t suit you,” Joseph says, which makes Daddy smile.
“Urgh!” I go to walk out, but bump into the doctor’s chest, halting me in my tracks.
He walks over to Daddy, starts to pull the cords from his chest, and turns off the machines they’re connected to. “Mr. Norman, you’re clear to leave. Take the medication as prescribed and come back for your check-up in a week,” the doctor states before leaving the room.
“Daddy, I’m glad you’re okay, but I’m leaving. I’ll see you later,” I say, and start walking out when Joseph grabs my arm. I look at him with fierce intent as my body tenses.
“Deliah, spend one day with your family. Go back to Colt tomorrow. It won’t hurt you to spend one day with your sick father, will it?
Think of it this way… he misses you and only wants to spend some time with you.
Hell, even I’d like to see you for longer than thirty seconds.
So please, just one day?” Joseph asks, looking at me with soft eyes.
The same eyes I thought I was once in love with.
I exhale and relax. “One day! That’s it! No more!”
“Thank you, Deliah. Joseph’s right, we miss you, and how we left things last time in the rose garden, well… I’m sorry for that. I love you, and I want you to be happy, my darling,” Mummy says, hugging me.
“Thanks, Mummy.”
Daddy stands from the bed, and Joseph and I walk out so he can get dressed.
“Deliah, I still care about you, you know. I’ll always be here if you need to talk. But I do want us to stop bickering and be the friends we once were before we got together.”
I know he’s genuine about how he feels by how he looks at me. I see it in his eyes—the quiet intensity, the way they soften when they meet mine.
“I’d like that. I’m sick of all this rubbish between us,” I reply, and Joseph leans in and hugs me.
A surge of familiarity floods through me, and I feel guilty for holding someone other than Colt.
I slowly pull back, only to find Mummy and Daddy watching our embrace, matching grins stretched across their faces.
Great.
I let out an exaggerated eye roll because, of course, they’re enjoying this, before turning on my heel and heading for the emergency doors to grab my luggage.
The ride back to the manor is quiet, tension simmering beneath the surface. I’m still angry at Mummy for not telling me it was only heartburn, but despite that, a part of me is relieved to be going home, even if just for a short stay.
We pull up to the grand estate, the familiar sight both comforting and overwhelming.
Our chauffeur, the aptly named Mr. Bentley, steps forward, opening the door for me first, followed by Mummy and Daddy.
As I step out, stretching my legs, Joseph exits the front passenger seat and moves to the back of the car to collect my luggage.
“Nice to see you again, Miss Norman,” George greets me, nodding while he holds the door.
“George, it’s great to see you again, too,” I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck. As always, he hesitates but eventually gives in, patting me lightly on the back.
I chuckle and walk inside.
Rosemary follows, bringing a tray of tea and scones into the living room, where we are headed.
Joseph puts my luggage by the staircase, and we all sit on the white, ornate sofas, with Mummy and Daddy on the other side, facing us like we used to.
As Rosemary hands me my Royal Albert bone china tea cup and saucer, it dawns on me how much my life has changed from luncheons and tea parties to rock concerts and after-parties.
But more than that, I love my new life, and being here shows me how stifling it was, and still is.
Then, my mind drifts to Colt—the way I left him at the hotel—and a sharp ache pierces my chest. My God, I was such a bitch to him. Guilt claws at me, relentless and unforgiving, as the weight of my words and actions settles like a stone in my stomach.
“Excuse me, I need to let Colt know what’s going on,” I say, walking outside and down to the rose garden.
Pulling out my cell, I dial his number. It rings and rings, but there’s no answer, and he doesn’t have voicemail because when the paparazzi find his number, they bombard him.
He’s had to change his number so many times that he never sets up a new one now.
I end the call and frown, exhaling. I scuff my shoe along the gravel and look down at my feet.
“Deliah?” I look up to Joseph walking toward me.
I smile and place my hands in my jeans pockets. “Hey.”
He stops in front of me. “Do you want to go for a walk, like old times, along the lake? Might help clear your mind?”
Not seeing any harm, I nod at the thought of some tranquility, but my thoughts are a million miles away with Colt.
I know he’s probably either on the jet flying to Germany or having interviews, but above everything, I hope he’s okay after that stupid tongue-lashing I gave him for no damn reason.
Living the life I led before Colt has shown me how spoiled and downright horrible I can be as a person.
There was no reason to treat him that way, but for some reason, when shit goes south, I always end up going to that place where this godawful mean girl surfaces—it’s not a trait I’m proud of, and one that comes from being a spoiled, rich princess who got everything she ever wanted growing up.
We stroll to the edge of the lake in silence.
“I’ve missed this,” Joseph says. “Just spending time with you, I mean. I think you know as well as I do that we were always more like best friends than a couple,” he adds.
“I didn’t think so when you broke up with me…” I trail off, not wanting to think about it. “But I see now there was definitely love there, but only in how you love a friend. Us breaking up was the right thing for both of us.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulder. “I couldn’t agree more, Deliah, and I will always love you like that, but I’m so glad you feel the same way I do.
It devastated me to think that I’d broken you.
But I am glad you have found Colt. He seems, well…
different,” he says with a chuckle. “But you’re happy, which is all I want.
I know categorically that I can’t give you that kind of happiness. ”
“Just as I can’t make you happy,” I say, leaning into his embrace.
“Exactly.”
We walk side by side, and I take comfort in his presence, wrapping my arm around his waist. For once, I can say with certainty that I’m content knowing he’s one of my best friends—someone who genuinely looks out for me.
There’s no lingering tension, no unspoken romantic feelings, just a solid friendship.
And honestly? That makes everything so much easier.
As we head back toward the house, Joseph keeps his arm draped around me, and we’re laughing about the chaos at his work when I catch sight of Daddy standing at the door, watching us with a big, knowing grin.
I roll my eyes.
Joseph follows my gaze, and the moment he sees Daddy’s expression, he lets his arm drop from my shoulders with a chuckle.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” I ask him as we walk up the steps.
“It was only heartburn, Deliah. Don’t be ridiculous. It is, however, good to see you coming to your senses. Come inside, you two. The evening meal is served.”
“He really will have a heart attack when he realizes we’re not getting back together,” Joseph whispers, and I laugh.
After dinner, we head into the living room again to talk.
I tell them about the tour and everything that’s been going well.
Mummy tells us about the luncheons she has planned next week, and Daddy sits there watching Joseph and me in some nostalgic world he is living in, while we sit next to each other, laughing and generally having a good time.
It’s getting late, and I know Daddy’s becoming weary. “Daddy, you should go to bed.”
“Not when I am watching you and Joseph rekindling your romance. It won’t be long before that rock trash is history, and you’ll be back here getting married in the rose garden, just like I planned.
Nothing will make me happier. I finally have my Deliah back.
The Deliah I love, not the girl that you had become. That girl… she wasn’t my daughter.”
My mouth drops open, shock slamming into me like a freight train. Heat rushes through my veins, my blood pressure spiking as Daddy’s words sink in. That’s when my breathing turns shallow, my nostrils flaring, anger curling in my chest like a tightening vice.
Beside me, Joseph places a steadying hand on my knee, a silent attempt to calm me.
But it’s useless.
The damage is already done.
“So, when I’m with Colt, you don’t love me. Is that what you’re saying?”
“No, Deliah. I prefer you as the Deliah who grew up in this house. My little gir—”
“Well, I’m not your little girl anymore, and stop thinking I am.
This is me now. The trash that wears a black bra with a white top.
The girl who parties it up with rock stars and the girl who’s sleeping with the lead singer because she loves him.
This is me. This is who I am. And if you don’t like the new me, then you can get fucked! ”
“Deliah, language!”
“No, Mummy. Daddy needs to know that Joseph and I are not getting back together. We love each other, yes, but as friends. Nothing more. So, get used to the fact that unless you get pregnant and have another daughter, and you’re okay with an age-gap romance, Joseph will never be a part of our family.
” I look down at Joseph, who’s trying to hide his smirk.
“Joseph, take me to the airport,” I demand, my voice firm. Then, softening just slightly, I add, “Please.”
He smiles, nodding as he stands.
I turn back to Daddy. He’s still sitting there, mouth agape, completely stunned. Across from him, Mummy watches me with an unreadable expression until she gives me a slight nod of approval.
Without another word, Joseph takes my hand, leading me out of the room. As we head for the front door, he grabs my luggage on the way, his grip steady, unwavering.
And just like that, I’m done.
“I can’t believe you just told your father you’re sleeping with a rock star.
I know he already knew it, but for you to confirm the fact would have definitely been a kick in the guts for him.
I am proud of you, Deliah. You really have grown up, and to be honest, I’m kind of loving the woman you’re becoming,” Joseph shares as he sets my luggage in the back of his Audi.
It’s nice to know that someone likes the new me.
“Thanks, Joseph. He gets on my every last nerve. No one pushes my buttons like Daddy can, which drives me insane.”
Joseph walks around and opens my door for me—always the gentleman. “I know, but don’t let him get to you.”
After we slide into our seats, Joseph drives me to the airport, and we say our goodbyes, and for once, it’s not strained or full of anger. He holds me tightly, and I kiss his cheek.
Then he takes hold of my cheeks with his hands and forces me to look at him.
“Deliah, don’t come home again unless it’s with the man you love.
Colt makes you a better person, and I see how undeniably happy he makes you.
Promise me you’ll stick with him. And when the band’s world tour finishes, make sure you both come by to say hi. Princess Sophia misses you, you know.”
A grin spreads across my face, and I dip my chin, too overwhelmed to speak. Instead, I turn, my heart pounding with anticipation as I step into the airport before I board the plane bound for Germany.
Now, I can only hope my early return is enough to fix things with Colt.
Especially after the way I left.
And the way he never answered my calls.