Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THEN
Knox wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and took several deep swallows of the water he poured from the tap.
The crunch of tires on the driveway pulled his gaze to the ancient clock over the kitchen table, and he lifted a brow.
Vivi was at her friend’s house that afternoon, and she wasn’t due home for another forty-five minutes.
He had just finished mowing two lawns and had hoped to take a shower and get dinner started before she got there.
Setting the glass down, he cut through the living room and made his way to the front of the house.
As soon as he opened the door, he halted mid-step.
Conrad Beaumont stood in the driveway next to his expensive Mercedes.
Their eyes met, and Knox dipped his head respectfully as he stepped onto the porch and closed the screen door behind him. “Sir.”
“Mr. Castillo.”
Every muscle in Knox’s body tensed as Beaumont moved forward. He paused at the base of the stairs, as if he couldn't bring himself to actually step foot near any part of the house, the porch included. He gazed up at Knox. “I'm here to talk about Everleigh.”
Knox felt a surge of dread. He had known they couldn't hide it forever, so he drew on every reserve of strength he had and hoped for the best. “Sir, I just want to start by saying that I love your daughter very much.”
“I know you do, which makes this all the harder.”
Knox was so surprised by his words that he almost missed the second part of the statement. He swallowed hard as a sense of anxiety and foreboding curled through his gut. “What's that?”
Mr. Beaumont drew in a deep breath, his chest and shoulders rising with emotion. “Everleigh told me about the baby.”
Everything inside Knox froze as he stared at him. He had expected anger. Disappointment. Fury. Instead, Beaumont looked… sad. “Is everything okay?” Worry slid like ice down Knox’s spine as Beaumont shook his head.
“No, it's not. Everleigh...” He gave his head a little shake. “She has her whole life ahead of her. Soon she'll be off to college. I’m an alumnus of Georgetown, did you know that?”
Knox hadn’t. He didn’t even know where that was, not that he cared. His head was spinning at the abrupt change of topic. “No, sir.”
Beaumont gave a perfunctory nod. “I’d like Everleigh to go there, too. Family tradition. I’m sure you can understand that.”
Knox swallowed down the sick feeling that was creeping up his throat.
Why was Beaumont telling him all this? He didn’t have anything against Everleigh going to school, but this wasn’t at all what they had talked about.
It was going to be incredibly difficult for her to attend classes while caring for their baby, especially if Knox was overseas.
Not to mention the cost. He couldn’t begin to imagine what a school like that charged.
If they could find her something online, so she could study from home…
Mr. Beaumont seemed to read his mind, because he shook his head. “She just has too much ahead of her to be saddled with a baby.”
The way he said it made Knox’s blood run cold. “What are you talking about?”
Mr. Beaumont sighed. “Look, son. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Everleigh asked me to come tell you.”
“Tell me what?” Knox’s hands clenched nervously by his sides and his body trembled with barely restrained emotion.
“Everleigh went to see a doctor yesterday.” He hesitated, his eyes fixed on the ground near his feet. “The pregnancy’s been terminated.”
No. Knox felt his mouth open, but no words came out. He couldn't believe it. He managed a slow shake of his head. “She wouldn't…”
Mr. Beaumont lifted his gaze to Knox’s, and the truth in his eyes sent agony spearing through Knox like a knife. “She’s at home recovering right now,” he said. “She wasn’t sure how to tell you, so I offered to come instead. I’m sure you understand.”
Knox nodded, but his mind felt like it was in a fog as silence descended like a curtain.
Several seconds passed, and Beaumont shifted on his feet before he cleared his throat.
“I commend you on wanting to do the right thing, but now there’s no need.
You’ve got your sister to take care of already; that’s enough. ”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at the ground. “I’m sorry, son.”
With that, he turned to leave, and Knox watched for what felt like forever as he climbed into the car and drove away. Knox felt strangely numb. He didn't trust Beaumont, but the way he'd looked at him... He had to talk to Everleigh.
Five days passed before Knox had a chance to see her again.
She wasn't outside at all, and he couldn't get close enough to her house to talk to her.
He was driving down Main Street when he saw her climbing the steps of the country club.
He quickly pulled over and parked on the side of the road, then vaulted from the car.
“Everleigh!”
She whipped toward him, an array of emotions flashing across her beautiful face. He sprinted up to her, not caring in the least who might see. “Are you okay? I've been so worried about you.”
“I'm fine, I…”
“Is everything okay with… everything?” He dropped his gaze meaningfully toward her stomach before meeting her eyes again.
Tears glazed the pretty blue orbs as anguish filled her eyes. “Knox…”
Oh, God. It was true. He reeled back, a cold numbness spreading through his body and settling deep in the marrow of his bones.
“It's not what you think,” she cried. “Knox, you don't understand... I didn’t have a choice.”
He felt like he was splintering apart inside. He met her eyes again. “Everleigh, this is your one chance,” he said quietly, barely managing to rein in the anger that threatened to take over. “Tell me the truth. I need to know. Did you get rid of our baby?”
“It wasn't...” Her gaze darted over his shoulder before meeting his eyes again, and a tear slid down her cheek. She nodded slowly. “The baby’s gone.”
The anger he had been carrying around for the last several days spread outward into his limbs, and ice seeped into his heart, freezing it in place.
He stared at her, unable to believe she’d done this.
She didn't say a single word to defend herself, didn't even explain why.
She just stood there, staring at him, tears sliding down her pretty face.
Tears of sadness. Tears of guilt.
Something inside him broke at that moment. He took a tiny step forward until his face was just inches away, his eyes locked on hers. “I would've loved you forever. Now I never want to see you again.”