Chapter 28
Twenty-Eight
Sabine
“Screw it. Confront her.” I close the door behind Astor.
He turns around, frowning. “What?”
“I think you should confront Valerie about her affair with Carlos.”
“Really? That’s the opposite of what you said a few hours ago.”
“My opinion on the matter has changed.”
“Why?”
“She’s playing us and someone needs to say something.”
Astor looks out the window where Valerie remains unmoving, staring into her garden.
“Why don’t you believe me?”
“Why are you so sure she’s faking?”
I fist my hands on my hips. “Why are you defending her? Jesus, Astor, the woman conspired to have you killed not four months ago! She’s manipulating everyone, just like she manipulated you while she was with Carlos.” This outburst feels good and I realize how badly I’ve needed it. So, I keep going. “How long are you going to take care of her? Even after the divorce?”
Astor’s jaw twitches. “I made a promise.”
“Yeah, well she made a promise to Carlos, and look how well that turned out for him. He’s dead.”
“What the hell am I supposed to do, Sabine?”
“Leave her!”
“I’m her conservator! She can’t even care for herself. She has no one. Her mother and father are dead, her sister is dead…it’s incredibly complicated. You wouldn’t under?—”
“Don’t you dare tell me I wouldn’t understand.”
He growls, and begins pacing.
“It’s your guilt coming back,” I say. “You feel indebted to her because she had your baby, and a part of you blames yourself for her depression. You have to let it go?—”
Brittney steps into the kitchen and stops cold, registering the vibe in the room. I take a step back, distancing myself from Astor—which is ridiculous because it’s obvious that we are in the middle of an emotional argument that has nothing to do with housekeeping.
“Uh. Hi.” She says, laser focused on Astor as if he’s the second coming of Christ.
“Brittney, this is Mr. Stone.”
Astor clears his throat, along with the foul mood from his face. He extends his hand with a smile. “Lovely to meet you, Brittney. Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
Brittney’s ears are so red I’m surprised they don’t burst into flames. Inwardly, I smirk. I remember being just as awestruck the first time I saw Astor Stone.
As I take her in, it becomes glaringly apparent how young and impressionable she is.
I hope Valerie isn’t manipulating her, too.
“I broke a cup,” she blurts out as if someone jabbed her with a cattle prod.
I blink at the abrupt confession.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Stone,” she stammers and I can tell she instantly regrets the confession.
“Actually, it was my fault,” I step in, unable to handle this cringe-worthy encounter another second. “I walked into the room and startled her, and she dropped it.”
“Ah, well.” Astor's lip twitches as he narrows his eyes at me. “In that case, I’ll deduct it from your paycheck, Sabine. And as punishment for your incompetence, you can spend the afternoon washing the windows and then pressure washing the back of the house.”
Brittney eye’s pop.
I roll my eyes. He’s enjoying this far too much.
“He’s joking, Brittney,” I mutter, “Or trying to, I should say.”
Astor smirks. “I am. Don’t worry about it for another second, Brittney. Accidents happen. Sabine has broken at least a dozen cups since working for me.”
This time, my eyes actually roll back into my head.
Brittney exhales. “Thank you. Sir.”
“By the way,” he says, “I noticed two of your tires are low, and you’re leaking oil.”
“I am?”
He nods. “If you’re comfortable with it, I’d like to offer you a company car to use while you’re working for me.”
Brittney’s jaw drops and I’m shocked to see tears fill her eyes. “Yes, that would be—thank you so much.”
Astor dips his chin. “Great. I’ll have it delivered by the end of the week.”
“Thank you, thank you.”
I smile, wink.
“Okay, well . . .” Brittney beams from ear to ear. “I’ll go get Mrs. Stone back into bed. I think she’s had enough sun. Thank you again. Sir.”
The moment Brittney steps outside, I grin. “Sir.”
“That’s right. Don’t you forget it.” He closes the inches between us. “I’m sorry I snapped at you just now.”
“I’m sorry, too.”
He takes my hand, guides me into the hallway and out of view from Brittney and Valerie.
“And I think you’re right that I feel indebted to Valerie for no other reason than she bore my child, and then we lost that child.”
“It’s a terrible thing for anyone to go through, but you can’t let it cloud every decision you make. It doesn’t define you.”
“What would I do without you?”
“I shudder to think of it.”
He chuckles, then falls serious. “What were you saying to Valerie when I walked out?”
I look down, begin chewing on my lip.
“Sabine,” he sighs, “what did you say to her?”
“I told her she’s not fooling me.”
“Sabine.”
“I know, I know.” I scrub my hands over my face. “I shouldn’t have. I know.”
Astor sighs. “This isn’t working, is it? You, me, her, here.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I think we can confidently say that, at this point.”
He mutters under his breath and begins making the tea. “I think she might be getting sick, too.”
I bite my tongue because I’ve already embarrassed myself enough for the day. Also, her cough is bad, so I can’t say she’s faking that.
I come up behind him, wrap my arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.”
Astor turns on the kettle, lays his arms over mine and threads his fingers through my hands.
“It’s okay. What did I expect?”
“I know. We were crazy to think this would work. Listen . . . I’ll go to a hotel.”
“No. We both will. I think we both need a night away. I’ll speak with Brittney and make sure she’s okay with staying more nights without a break, and I’ll also ensure Jackie comes by during the day. The doctor is supposed to be here tomorrow morning and Cillian is due back this afternoon. All bases will be covered and we can leave tomorrow afternoon.”
“Are you sure?”
He turns into my embrace and wraps his hands around me. “Absolutely. We need this.”
I nod because I absolutely agree. The situation we’re in right now is so screwed up that I’m afraid neither of us are thinking clearly.
We all know what happens when Astor isn’t thinking clearly.