“Baby, you had your own demons to fight. We thought it was for the best letting you find your way back. I’m sorry, we were wrong.” Her deep blue eyes shine with honesty.
Sophia’s eyes burn with distress, and she thunders, “I can’t believe you, either of you. Have you been blind on purpose not to recognize in what a state they both were in?”
“I’m sorry. It was how we dealt with almost losing the two of you. When you have children, you’ll realize that we might want the best for you, but at times we’ll take matters into our hands, and as it seems fail miserably at it,” intervenes my mother, shame flashing in their eyes.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive any of you.”
“Baby . . . Damien . . . please.”
Damien’s tangible hurt mingles with my heart.
What a picture of brokenness we represent.
My brother’s eyes flash with anger when he asks, “You said someone set you up? Who was it?”
I expected this question, but I don’t want to answer. It will hurt them even more, but I have to answer, so I whisper, “Monica.”
“Which Monica?” asks my mother, her eyes narrowing at me.
I chew on my lip and murmur, “Your niece.” Her hand shoots to her heart. They all gasp as if the knowledge has sucked the air out of them, and their mouths drop. A mix of hurt and disbelief spreads across their faces.
“But it can’t. Bria are you sure?”
Alex grunts, “She’s sure.” His eyes scan me. “I think you’ve had enough.”
Andrew slams his palm on the table, emotions battle in his eyes. “You can’t drop something like this and expect us to let things go.”
Damien wraps his hand over my shoulder, his voice lowering with worry. “She can, Dad, because she has a long way ahead of her, she’s pushed herself too much already.”
“All this time, Bria . . .” my brother huffs, his eyes glistening with hurt, his fingers crossed together. “You said nothing, you did nothing, and the worst part is you would’ve left us anyway. Now I ask you, how should I react to what you’ve said?” I plead with my eyes for him to try to understand, but his pain transforms to stubbornness.
“I’m sorry, Filip.”
He shuts his eyes, and his jaw twitches. “Yes, but it’s not enough. I’m grateful that you’re alive and better, but I’m out. I need time alone. With the happy couple back, I presume you’ll stay here, Damien? I’ll move to London in your place. Glad we had this conversation.” He springs to his feet, and I rush to him, but he puts a hand in front of me blocking me.
“Please, don’t go.”
Sophia strides to us and clasps his hand. “Don’t leave like this.”
He shakes his head as they carry on a secret conversation with their eyes. He presses me to his chest and says, “Maybe one day, sis, but not today.” He trudges away as I sob in my hands, the guilt wrenching me. Sophia puts her arm on my back, and Damien gathers me in his arms.
“Give him time, baby, he hurts.”
So do I . . . so do I.
BRIA
We return to the table, where an excruciating silence greets us, but instead of joining them, I plod toward the bench rooted on the dock. I hear them talking, but I can’t distinguish what they say. I slump on the wooden bench, lift my knees to my chin and stare above the waterline. My parents appear on each side of me and sit down. My father puts his arm around my shoulders as my mother strokes my back. A childhood sort of comfort blankets me, easing me a bit.
My father tilts his head to me. “I’ll try to explain what your words meant.” I cuddle myself even more to him, reverting to a child again secure in the arms of my hero. “To say it devastated me would be an understatement. I let you have your way, raised you to be independent. I remember the first day we brought you home, it overwhelmed me with happiness and love.” His eyes shine with lost and found memories. “I often asked myself how such a tiny person has so much power over me. I promised I’d always protect you, but you always were strong-willed. You mastered everything with grace and attitude. Even when you hurt yourself, you stood right back up and would calm us saying nonchalantly that you were fine.” He pauses, and the silence rings louder than any speakers. I squeeze his hand in response
“Love for you, my dear, came so quickly. My only relief was that I trusted Damien with my baby girl. He never gave me a reason to distrust him. He’s loved you in a way that, at times, made me fearful. But you were blossoming. Every day my little girl became more independent and fell even deeper in love. One day I was holding you in my arms, the next time you were in his arms. You formed a bond and built a dome around you. Although sweet, it infuriated me . . . us. We all wanted more time with you two, separately, but you two made it impossible. So, we stepped aside in the hope you’d know we were there for you. It was another mistake we made. On your eighteenth birthday, I never felt so much pain in my life. Seeing my child subdued to this amount of pain . . . I wished you two never had these feelings for each other. But like always, you took your pain with dignity and all by yourself.” His shoulders sag, and his lower lip quivers.
“We failed again in the way we handled the situation. We let you have your way, Bria, because none of us knew better. Meanwhile, Damien was on a mission to destroy himself. Neither of us picked him over you like you didn’t pick Quinn and Alexander over us. We exchanged where our focus lay. I hope you’ll be a mother someday, and you’ll never experience the pain a child can cause when you must let it go, aware it will never come back the same. The day your doctors told us about the emotional detachment, I thought it was a joke. It was the moment I realized my daughter was crushed by too much strength she carried inside. I’m angry, at you, but more at myself.” Our eyes lock, the hurt reflecting back at me tears at my heart.
“Maybe one day I’ll look at you again without having to interpret everything you say. It was brave and the right thing to do to confess,” he says and shuts his eyes for a second. It must’ve cost him a lot of restraint to remain this calm, perhaps he’s afraid he’ll lose me again. It pains me to spread fear around me about my wellbeing.
“I’m sorry, I wanted to spare you all. I know it was wrong, but I was adamant about handling everything on my own.” I grip both their hands, and through the knot trapped in my throat, I add, “I wanted to be left alone with my numbness and illness.” I squeeze their hands, pleading, “It’s not your fault. You’ve been great parents.”
My mom’s voice breaks, “Wasn’t your life worth more?”
“My heart condition worsened. I wasn’t getting better. I am sorry for pretending I was fine when I wasn’t, and for not telling you the truth. Mom, I had no life at all. I merely existed. I functioned twenty-four seven. With time, I became the perfect machine. Not even work gave me satisfaction toward the end. I had one purpose, to be remembered as a professional and not as a cheater who almost ripped two families apart.” Sobs rock me. My mom gathers me in her arms, hushing me, and her hand brushes my hair.
“Baby, you were both so young. It’s not what we thought. No, we wanted to understand but neither of you gave us any explanation. So, we let it go in the hopes you’d overcome this bad experience and move on. We weren’t ignoring it, but both of you quickly became other people. We truly believed we had to adapt to the changes. You were with Alexander all the time, appearing grounded and stable, and Damien, well, he found another kind of coping mechanism.”
She dabs at my tears with her thumbs, her broken smile grounding me to the here and now. “You were becoming grownups. You needed to face the consequences of your actions. Both of you have this amazing work ethic, but when it comes to your feelings, you behave poorly. Maybe if we were less focused on preparing you for leading the company and more on you as people, it would never have happened. But we sincerely believed knowing what responsibility is would prepare you better for life.”
I lean my head on her small shoulder and add, “You forgot what we really meant to each other, Mom.
Damien and me, it’s hard to explain. It’s like we’re tied together, and unable to change it, both in love and hate, we couldn’t let go. It was not our love that broke us, it was the incapacity to accept we couldn’t be without the other that led to the unavoidable. We couldn’t forget or forgive and were damn incapable of freeing the other. Whatever life we had, I focused on seeing him well again, while he thrived on making me feel his pain. Our behavior hurt us even more, yet, we didn’t let go. In that hospital bed in Tokyo, I promised myself if I survived, I would give you your daughter back, and I would like to be a part of this family again.” I lift my chin, and her lips curve into a small smile, and she encourages me to continue.
“I’m sorry you had to hear all of it and gave you the impression I didn’t need you. It was just I didn’t care. It blinded me. I thought I failed you as a daughter, and there was this side of me who wanted to give at least something back. So, I put everything I had into my studies and gained the skills for the work requirements. I wanted a clean start. But was it right? Filip’s reaction, although understandable, makes me consider I disappointed you all over again.”
She tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, and her eyes shine with love. “Everyone reacts differently. But we are family, together I’m sure we’ll find our way back to each other. Filip needs time, and we, as your parents, need to see proof of your well-being. I am mad, Bria that you left us out, that we weren’t informed about your heart condition worsening. Tell me, how are you?”
I clasp their hands and glance at them. “I am stable and healing well. I take my medicine, have regular check-ups. Plus, my therapist, Dr. Bertrand, is helping me too. I’m sorry I ruined the day.”
A low growl escapes my dad, and he states, “If it helped you, it’s all that matters.”
Disbelief mars my mother’s forehead and she asks, “Is it true what you told us about Monica? Because it’s not that I don’t believe you, but I raised her as if she were mine. I don’t know how to feel about the fact it was her who put us through this ordeal.”
Pain oozes from her, I tilt my head to her and sigh.
“It is. I’m sure she didn’t realize what she did. No one can be that cruel. You know she’s always loved him.”
My dad’s voice drops to gravelly. “She had someone drug you. It could’ve been far worse.”
Worse? After what I’ve been through? I suppress a peal of sordid laughter and reply, “Honestly, Dad, what could’ve been worse? I lost Damien, my health, and, and my . . .” I can’t say it. It still pains me. I doubt it’ll ever heal.
“Baby . . .” my parents simultaneously say, but I shake my head, and hide my face behind my hands.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“When you’re ready then. But your cousin will face the consequences,” my dad states.
“I think Damien and Alex are eager to get to her, although I keep telling them it won’t do us any good.”
“I agree with them,” says my dad.
“Stupid me . . . I wanted to organize their wedding. I’m disgusted with her. My poor sister surely would cry, knowing what became of her daughter,” interjects my mother.
“You and Damien then. The thought has never crossed my mind again,” my dad continues.
“You’re not the only one. It seems the further we want to put a distance between us, the stronger the pull to each other is.”
The corners of his eyes crinkle with him deep in thought and he says, “I should’ve expected it considering the first steps you took were toward him, like your first word. Everything was always somehow related or connected to him.”
A pleasant silence envelops us as we glance at the lake and enjoy the nearness. But we have guests, and I already miss Damien. My father says we should return, and we jump up, smiling brightly. My chest leaps with relief at the sorrow ebbing away. I reach the table, and Damien scoops me in his arms, and a sense of contentment washes over me.
I tilt to him and whisper, “It went well. This is the first true conversation we’ve had in years.”
He pecks me on the tip of my nose, his eyes shining with love. “I’m glad, baby, you needed it.”
In the corner of my eyes, I notice Alex squinting at us, and Sophia leans into him saying, “Oh, it’s far worse when they think no one is looking.”
Damien snaps his head at them, his jaw set. “Is this necessary? We can hear you.”
Alex and Sophia exchange a knowing look, and she says, “The point exactly.”
I burrow my head in the crook of his neck and say, “Ignore them, baby.”
Andrew leans his head in his palm and eyes Sophia, incredulity written all over his face.
“If we interpret this right, Bria and Damien are back together, and you two are what exactly?
“Dad, they were never really apart, some masochistic bond tied them.” A shiver rocks her, and her face crunches into deep thinking. “We were merely the bystanders . . .” There it is—the hopeful look passing between them. “. . . who had to do damage control, and we unintentionally collided together. Plus, I felt like I had to give him a chance. He’s almost thirty.”
Laughter fills the table, while Alex pales and chokes on his champagne. Damien’s eyes shine with pride as he eyes his sister while she beams, and I wink at him.
“At least she’s honest.”
“What did I do to you again?”
My father’s eyes crinkle with amusement. “Alexander, please share the answer when you find it. Mankind would appreciate it.”
The hours fly by, our laughter riding with the wind, and the harmony embraces us. We eat, we talk, and we enjoy the company late into the night until I try to let an undetectable yawn out, but I forget I find myself in the arms of Mr. Perceptive.
He nuzzles at my neck. “It’s time to leave, baby, you’re tired.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“You know what happens when you’re bad, I believe you enjoy it too much.”
I raise my hand to my heart in false indignation. “I beg your pardon.”
His eyes spark with mischief, as he lowers his voice. “I’ll make sure you beg, but for something different.”
My blood heats, and my flesh sets on fire. How does he always do it?
“Someone is sure of himself.”
“Experience tells me I’m not mistaken.” I tilt my head to him while his eyes bore into mine.
“Is that so?”
He nips on my earlobe, the darkness masking the sky, hiding our intimacy. Only when Alex and Sophia express their wish to leave, do we halt our caresses.
“One second, may I have your attention? Bria and I are leaving too.” His entire demeanor shifts to an earnest one, and his eyes narrow at our parents but focus on my mother. “I can’t let Monica go unpunished. With all respect, Katherine, I don’t care if she’s a part of the family. She’ll be punished for what she did. I’ll strip her of her allowance and remove her from the company.”
Alex stares at him and growls, “Is that all you have in mind? She’s delusional and proved how dangerous she can be. Bria will never be safe if she finds out about you two being back together. She needs to be restrained.”
“But . . .” my mom gasps.
My father puts his arms over her shoulder and says, “I’m sorry, honey, but she overstepped and made a tremendous mistake in harming Bria.” Andrew’s eyes roam the table, a mix of emotions burning in his eyes, and he grits his teeth.
“She did enough harm to our families. Alexander, if you have proof that Bria is in danger, please inform us. We’ll take further measures.”
“Next week, we’ll meet, and I’ll deal with her.” Rebecca eyes Damien, support for her son transforming her features.
“We’ll hold it at our place.”
With the plan set, we say our goodbyes and leave.
BRIA
A feeling of lightness envelops me as I rest my head on Damien’s shoulder while he drives us home. The lights turn red and he kisses me on top of m
y head.
“I’m proud of you, baby.”
“Thank you. It was an emotional and long day for all of us.”
I close my eyes and only stir when he carries me in his arms to the elevator.
My eyes flutter open to him lying next to me, his broad, naked chest heaving up with his even breaths. I place my chin in my palm and gawk at him. My need rises. I dip my mouth trailing kisses on his face as he chuckles and bites my cheek in response.
I hop off the bed, smiling as he stares at me, disbelief etched on his face.
“Come back,” he says in a gruff tone that melts my insides.
But I backtrack, his complaints ringing around us, and disappear behind the bathroom door where I am met with my monthly visitor. A smile tugs at my lips anticipating Damien’s not-so-pleased reaction as I’m sure he planned on torturing me, oh so sweetly. Well, he has to postpone it.
I enter the bedroom, and his back leans against the bedpost, his hair disheveled, his body alluring. I bite down my lip, he’s so imposing, ruling over the entire room and my heart. I crawl toward him, and he grabs and positions me on top of him.
I hate that I have to stop him undressing me. “Someone was quicker than you.” He squints his eyes at me. Realization dawns on him, and he pouts.
“I had some dirty things planned for you.”
I shudder in response while he begins to nibble on my skin.
“Can you fathom what the following days will do, though? All the energy and desire will gradually grow inside me, how I’ll unleash it on you when I can.” My nails dig into his back at his innuendo. This man is sex on legs and ignites in me a fire only he can contain and control. He plays my body in such a delicious way chills erupt.
“Is this a promise, love?”
“Oh, baby, it’s a fact. It’ll give me great pleasure in showing you the truthfulness of my words.”
I trail a path with my finger down his chest and demand, “Give me your best shot.”
Healing Love: A Billionaire Romance (Forever Us Book 2) Page 21