Chapter 29
Three years ago
Daniela stared at the handwritten note in disbelief before crushing it in her hand. Then, almost against her will, she opened it back up, looked at Connor’s words again. But the words hadn’t changed.
If there was any other way, I wouldn’t be leaving like this.
I love you and everything we shared was real, but I have to disappear.
You’re amazing and deserve all the happiness in the world so please move on.
I’m not worth any tears. Find someone who makes you happy and build the life you deserve.
I’m truly sorry for leaving like this. —C
Her throat was tight as she reread the letter four times. Then she crumpled it again and leaned back in her rolling chair.
At a slight knock on her office door she jumped, then managed to force her expression into a neutral one as Julian stepped inside. “Hey,” she said, inwardly cursing when her voice trembled.
He paused, searched her face. “You okay?”
“Ah, yeah. But Connor and I are over. He’s gone.” There, her voice was stronger now, almost dismissive. She would move on and lock away all their memories and small moments in a dark place. One she never visited. She couldn’t afford to.
“Oh.” Another pause. “I’m sorry. I liked him.”
Yeah, so had she. She cleared her throat, wondering what he was doing here. He rarely visited her at work. “What’s up?”
“Just wanted to let you know that some changes are coming.”
“Changes?”
He stepped into her office, shut the door behind him. “I’m taking over things for Father.”
Oh. Ooooh. She wondered what that would look like for her, but was too afraid to ask.
And hated herself for that fear. Right now of all times, she wanted to run away.
Just leave all this behind and start over somewhere new.
“That’s…interesting. I’m kind of surprised he’s okay with that.
” She didn’t ask for details, because Julian wouldn’t give them.
But then to her surprise—apparently today was the day for them—he sat across from her, looking exhausted as he leaned back in her guest chair. “His health isn’t the best.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Heart issues,” he said. Then added, “And he’s been forgetting things. Small, but he made a few financial mistakes. He wants me to take over.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I know, right?” he muttered, looking more human than he ever had.
They’d never had a warm and fuzzy relationship, but he hadn’t been like their father. Hadn’t been a monster to her. He’d shown up for her on the big occasions, had made sure she had extra funds in college… She’d always thought of their relationship as complicated. Today was no different.
He straightened. “Nothing will change for you. And if you want someone to take over here, let me know.”
Her gallery was the one bright spot in her life. She loved finding new artists and showcasing those who might not otherwise get exposure. “I’ve got the gallery in hand. You don’t have to worry about that.”
He nodded, searching her face, and for a moment it was clear he wanted to say more.
But then his phone buzzed and whatever he read on his screen made his jaw tighten and that invisible armor slip back into place.
Pocketing his phone, he stood. “If you need anything from now on or…whatever, go through me. You don’t have to talk to Father anymore if you don’t want. ”
“Christmas came early,” she muttered before she could stop herself.
Julian let out a startled laugh and threw his head back. He looked a decade younger and she realized she couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen him laugh like that. “Yeah, for you,” he finally snorted, still chuckling.
Even with the throbbing ache in her chest, she still smiled at the small joke between them. Then her brother was gone and she was left alone with her grief.
Connor was gone.
How could she have been so stupid as to let her guard down, to let someone in? Of all people, she knew how the world worked. And that nothing good ever lasted.