Chapter Twenty-Five
Aubrey
She was not ready for the cold to set in, Bree thought a few days later as she and Noah stood outside the hospital on a blustery afternoon. It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and the upcoming holidays weighed heavy on her mind. “You’re sure you don’t mind if we go visit Jess?” She asked Noah, his hand held firmly in hers.
“Of course not. Visiting Jess is important, and you know we can always go anywhere you’d like.”
“One of these days you’ll need to return to the actual office full-time, Noah Hawthorne.” Bree teased.
He nudged her shoulder gently. “I can work from anywhere since I’m not taking new active cases right now.”
Bree frowned. “You should get back to taking active cases—you used to love them.”
Noah shrugged. “They tend to require a lot of travel, and your stalker is still unaccounted for. I’m not leaving you unprotected to chase dollars or reputation.”
Bree cocked her head to the side and considered him. “Noah—we may never catch my stalker. Your life can’t be put on hold forever.”
“My life isn’t on hold. I’m building a life with you. Besides, my team has things well in hand. They’re good people and great at their jobs. Business is still growing and I’ve just moved more into a facilitator role for the time being. When you’re safe again, I’ll consider going back to active cases. Though being home with you definitely has perks.” Noah teased. He looked down into her eyes and pulled her in close. “I can be around to protect you and still get my job done. No worries.”
“Alright then,” She said, smiling broadly. They greeted the nurses at the station as they did every time they visited and headed into Jessica’s room.
For the second time there was another person in there visiting on a day that was not theirs. Honestly, with only four people who would visit—three of whom who were actually allowed to visit—you would think the odds of someone else being there at any given time or day would be less. Unfortunately she recognized the back of the man instantly.
“Hello, Dad.” Bree greeted as they walked into the room. Noah’s hand tightened on hers. She hadn’t spoken to her dad since Noah took over the call and hung up on him. Her chest tightened, and tears threatened to fall already. Seeing him aggravated the wound his gambling habit left on her heart. How could he do that to his daughters?
“Aubrey.” He said shortly, barely looking her way. “Still whoring around, I see.”
“That was uncalled for,” Noah said angrily. “Apologize.”
Dad laughed. “You know, boy, you have some nerve. You think you’re special? My daughter is going to drop you just like she does everyone else in her life when they complicate it or cause conflict or inconvenience her. You’ll be nothing but a man in the rearview soon enough. So don’t tell me how to talk to my daughter.”
Noah stepped into Dad’s personal bubble, forcing him to look up slightly to meet Noah’s eyes. “I believe that’s called ‘protecting her peace,” and if I ever give Bree a reason to cut me out because I’m not good for her, I hope she does. I hope she does kick me to the curb and leaves me in the rearview because if she does, it would’ve been my own fault. And that wouldn’t be on Bree. That would be on me for being a despicable human being.”
Bree’s dad looked at Noah disdainfully. “Man, she’s done a number on you. You don’t scare me, boy.” He said, puffing up his own chest. “Aubrey—I need you to send this month’s money so I can pay for Jessica’s medical bills.” He said, gesturing toward Jess, who was lying still on the bed.
“No,” Bree said firmly.
He whipped around toward her, his eyes bulging out of his head and the vein in his head throbbing. “What?” He hissed in a low tone, taking a small step away from Noah and toward Bree.
“I said no,” Bree repeated calmly, her pounding heart and sweating hands the only things belying her anxiety.
“You would let your sister die because I hurt your feelings?” He sneered, stepping toward her again.
Bree held her ground. “No, I won’t give you money because you’ll just gamble it all away. None of it was even going toward Jess’s care!”
Dad looked like he’d been struck across the face. “What? I wouldn’t do that to my family. Do I look like I have a gambling problem, Aubrey? I’m one of the most successful attorneys in the state. Give me a break.”
Bree’s laugh bordered on hysteria. “Don’t play the clueless act with me. I know all about your gambling. About your accounts in the Cayman Islands. How you sold the picture of me and where I lived to the press. I know it all.”
“You don’t know the first thing—” Her dad said, moving further into her space. Bree was tired. Tired of being lied to. Tired of being used.
”You couldn”t even do your dirty work yourself.” Bree accused, ”You hired Kyle? Of all people?”
Dad scoffed. ”Please. You can hardly call a few fake accounts, some harmless video comments, and taking a picture of a well-known singer in a public space ”dirty work”. The only thing. I”d consider dirty was thetire slashing. That could have ended with someone hurt, but I wasn”t involved in that. He did that all on his own. You should have just gotten back in the industry, Aubrey. Enjoyed the fame. The money. The opportunity. But no. You ended up a disappointment instead—as usual.”
Noah shouldered past her dad and stepped in front of Bree, shielding her with his own body.
“Back off,” Noah said. “Or we will call security and have you removed.”
“You have no power here, boy. This is my daughter’s room, and I’m speaking with my other daughter. They belong to me.”
“They’re not possessions. They’re people. You defaulted on Jessica’s payments the last six months. You are the one without power here. And if you ever threaten Bree again, I’ll lay you flat. I don’t care if you are her father.” Noah said, his voice deadly low.
Bree rested a hand on Noah’s back gently and peeked around him. “You will be receiving papers this week, Dad. We’re taking you to court for medical power of attorney for Jess.”
“WHAT?”
“You haven’t paid for her bills, and you’ve drawn this out long enough. She’s suffering. It’s time to let her go.”
“You selfish, ungrateful…” What he was going to say next, she wasn’t sure, because Noah’s right hook connected with the left side of her dad’s face, dropping him like a sack of bricks.
Noah turned to Bree and wrapped his arms around her tightly. “Don’t listen to him, Bree. You are… you are everything.” He whispered, cupping her face gently.
“What do we do with him?” She asked.
“Leave him there?”
“We could move him to a chair and rest his head on the bed. Then at least he doesn’t wake up on the floor.” Bree said, trying to be reasonable.
“You’re too good to him, Bree. But alright.” Noah said, hoisting her dad up and setting him in the chair nearest to Jessica’s bed. He rested his head and arms on the bed so it looked like he was sleeping and monitored his pulse for a moment. “He’ll be okay. Do you want to say anything to Jess before we head home?”
“Yeah, will you step out for just a minute? I’d like to talk to her alone.”
He looked at her dad warily. “Okay, I’ll be outside, so just shout if you need me. Otherwise, I’ll wait in the hall.”
“Thanks, babe,” Bree said, watching a soft blush color his cheeks. Noah walked out the door, and she moved to stand next to Jess on the opposite side of the bed from where their dad was.
“I’m so sorry, Jess. I’m sorry about the party and the hateful things I said to you. I’m sorry for not recognizing that you needed help sooner. I’m sorry for all the drama I’ve brought to your room. First with Justin, and now with Dad. But mostly, I’m sorry for letting you suffer for all these years. I know this isn’t what you would’ve wanted, and I should’ve fought harder for you sooner. I’ll make it right. You’ll be in peace soon.” Bree pressed a soft kiss to her forehead like she used to when they were kids and took one last look at her before walking into the hall and heading home with her man. It was time to take back her life.