by Sandi Lynn
“Henry, I’m so sorry.” She placed her hand on mine. “Are you going into the office today?”
“I have no choice.”
“Then I’ll go make the coffee and get you some aspirin.” She patted my hand.
One Week Later
I was sitting in my office staring out the window when my phone rang. Glancing at it, I saw my mother was calling. The anger I’d already felt grew stronger. Answering her call, I pretended everything was okay. I was saving the mass destruction I was going to unleash on her when the time came.
“Hello.”
“Henry, darling. How are you?”
“I’m good, Mom.”
“I’m happy to hear that. Anyway, your father and I need to speak with you about something, so we’d like you to come to dinner tonight.”
“What time?”
“Six-thirty. Will that work for you?”
“Six-thirty is fine.”
“Good. Love you, darling. We’ll see you then.”
I ended the call and continued to stare out the window, thinking about how they’d ruined my life and how I let them. If I’d only stood up to them, I wouldn’t be in this position. As much as it was their fault, it was also mine. My father gave me the ultimatum, and I took it because I was consumed by taking over his position of power in the company. To be the king like he was. But none of that mattered to me anymore since meeting Ellie. I turned my chair around when I heard a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
“Hey,” Addison spoke as she stepped inside. “I heard you’re going to dinner at the house tonight.”
“Yeah. Mom just called. She said she and Dad had something they wanted to talk to me about. I figured tonight would be as good as night as any to tell them what I think of them. Are you going to be there?”
“Yes and no. Mom told me that they needed to speak with you in private and to make sure I wasn’t home. In fact, she got me a suite at the Plaza and told me to spend the night there and have a few friends over.”
“Wow. Unbelievable.”
“I overheard them talking late last night as I stood and listened outside their bedroom door.” She grinned. “Did Lillian tell you that Kirsten is coming to dinner as well?”
“No,” I scowled.
“Well, she is. They’re going to talk to you about you taking over the company within the next three months when Dad gets the paperwork situated. They have it all planned out. They’re going to make sure you get back with Kirsten, dad will sign over the company to you, they’ll have their grandchild, and all will be right in the Walker family again.”
“They’re delusional. I am not getting back with Kirsten. There’s only one woman I want in this lifetime and it’s Ellie. They can fuck off.”
“Listen to me, Henry. When you go tonight and you see our vile parents and Kirsten, you have to act like you’re sorry and that you were wrong, and you want Kirsten and the baby.”
“Are you out of your mind!” I shouted.
“Do you trust me?” she asked with a seriousness in her voice.
“What are you up to?” I narrowed my eye at her.
“Do you trust me?” she asked again.
“I don’t know. I guess. Addison, what the fuck is going on?”
“You’ll see tonight. I just need you to do what I told you to.”
I sat there shaking my head at her.
“There’s something I’m working on. After you profess your love to Kirsten and act all fake with mom and dad, text me.”
“Addison, I can’t.”
She placed both hands on my desk and got in my face.
“DO NOT RUIN THIS CHANCE FOR ME. I promise you’ll thank me.”
I stared into her eyes, and I’d never seen her so serious in my life.
“Fine. I’ll do it. But I swear to God.” I pointed my finger at her.
“It’s not nice to swear to God, big brother.” She grinned as she began to walk away. “Oh. One more thing. After I make my surprise entrance tonight, you can go off on Lillian and Carlyle all you want. Just make sure you do it in front of me,” she spoke as walked out of my office.
What the hell was going on?
Chapter 24
Henry
I stood at the door of my parents’ house with my hand on the handle and took in a long deep breath. As soon as I stepped inside, my mother walked into the foyer.
“There you are.” She smiled as she placed her hands on each side of my face. “I didn’t think you were coming.”
“Sorry I’m late. Traffic was horrible and there was an accident.”
“That’s okay, darling.” She gave my face a light pat. “Come up to the living room and I’ll pour you a drink. Your father is already in there.”
It took every ounce of strength I had to keep my mouth shut. I gave Addison my word and I needed to keep my promise, no matter how much it killed me. When I walked into the living room, Kirsten immediately stood up.
“Hi, Henry.” She placed her hand on her belly.
“Hello, Kirsten. I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”
“It was my idea,” my mother chimed in. “I thought the two of you could talk.”
“Thanks, Mom. I was actually going to call you.” I walked over to Kirsten.
“You were?”
“Yes. We have some things to discuss. I’ve given everything a lot of thought and you’re right. The baby does need both of us. I just hope you can forgive me for the way I behaved,” I choked out the words.
“Oh, Henry.” She smiled as tears formed in her eyes. “Of course, I forgive you.” She wrapped her arms around me.
I wanted to vomit, and I was going to kill Addison for making me do this.
“The three of us are going to be so happy together,” she said.
“We still have a lot to talk about, Kirsten.”
“I know, baby. But it’s a start.”
“That’s my boy,” my father spoke as he held up his glass. “Now, have a seat and we can talk before dinner is ready.”
My mother hugged Kirsten and the two of them left the room so my father and I could talk.
“I’m proud of you son. You’re doing the right thing.”
I picked up my drink from the coffee table and brought it up to my lips.
“There’s going to be another Walker in the family, and I can’t wait to meet him or her. Now that you’re going to be a father and have a beautiful woman by your side, it’s time you took over my position at Walker Capital.”
“Really, Dad?”
“Yes, son. I’ll have Richard draw up all the paperwork tomorrow. In a matter of three months, you’ll be sitting in my office, your new office, running the show.”
“Thanks, Dad. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Gosh. I can’t wait to hear the pitter patter of little feet in this house again. And with me retired, I’ll get to see my grandchild anytime I want. Hell, your mother and I will even babysit while you and Kirsten are at work.” He smiled. “Abigail would be so happy for you right now. I only wish she were here to celebrate with us.” He looked down.
“What about Addison? Where is she?”
“Your mother sent her to the Plaza for the night so the four of us could talk in private. This doesn’t concern her. To be honest, I’ll be happy when she goes back to school. She’s been a handful since she’s been home.”
“How so?”
“Everything good in here?” my mother asked with a smile.
Kirsten walked over, took a seat next to me on the couch, and grabbed my hand.
“I have a doctor’s appointment in a couple days, and I’d like you to come with me.”
“Sure.” I gave her a small smile. “I need to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
“Meet us in the dining room, darling. Dinner is ready.”
I got up from the couch and went into the bathroom. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I sent Addison a text message.
“Whatever the h
ell it is you’re doing, it’s time. I can’t take much more of this.”
“I’ll be in the house in five.”
Walking into the dining room, I took a seat next to Kirsten and counted down the minutes until Addison arrived.
“This looks delicious, Mom.”
“Thank you, Henry.”
“There you all are.” Addison smiled as she walked into the dining room.
“Addison, what are you doing here?” my mother asked. “I thought you were at the Plaza.”
“I was, and I was bored, so I decided to come home. I’m starving,” she said as she sat down across from me. “Kirsten, what are you doing here? I thought my brother broke up with you.”
“Addison, that’s very rude,” my father spoke.
“Henry asked me for my forgiveness and we’re back together for the sake of the baby.”
“Aw, isn’t that sweet. Are you ever going to tell him that the baby you’re carrying isn’t his? Addison cocked her head.
“Excuse me?” Kirsten spoke. “How dare you.”
“Addison, what are you talking about?” I asked.
“Kirsten is further along than she says she is. So, there’s no way she got pregnant the night of her parent’s anniversary party.”
“That is ridiculous!” Kirsten shouted.
“Addison Anne Walker!” my mother shouted.
“Is that true?” I looked at Kirsten with furrowed brows.
“No! Of course not. How can you even doubt me? She’s lying.”
“Here’s my theory,” Addison said as she grabbed a piece of bread from the basket. “She slept with someone else, and when she found out she was pregnant, she needed to make sure you two slept together without a condom so she could pass the baby off as yours. But she had to wait until enough time had passed. The last thing she expected was you breaking up with her. So, she waited and used it as a weapon to get you back.”
“She’s lying, Henry!”
“How do you know this?” I asked Addison.
“I can’t reveal my source. But what I’m telling you is the honest to god’s truth. I swear on Abigail’s life Kirsten is lying to you.”
“Okay. That’s enough, young lady,” my father yelled. “You have caused enough trouble for one night.”
“Dad, wait.” I held my hand up and turned to Kirsten. “Did you sleep with another man when we were together?” I spoke in a serious tone. “Because if you’re lying to me, I will find out when I talk to your doctor at your appointment. In fact, I might just give him a call tomorrow morning.”
“Henry, stop,” my mother said. “Kirsten would never cheat on you. She loves you.”
“This is your last chance to tell me the truth.” I grabbed hold of her arm and held it tight. “In light of Addison’s information, I have doubts because some things just aren’t adding up. And if I must, I will demand that a paternity test be done right away. In fact, I’ll talk to the doctor about it.”
Tears streamed down her face as she stared at me. I already knew the answer because of the fear in her eyes.
“It was one time,” she spoke in a shaky voice.
Normally when a man found out their fiancée cheated on them, he would be pissed off and full of rage. In my case, I’d never been so grateful for anything in my life.
“Kirsten, how could you?” my mother asked.
“It was one time, and I was drunk.” She stared at me. “You were so distant, and you made me feel like you didn’t want me anymore.”
I sighed as I rubbed my face.
“So that baby isn’t our grandchild?” my father asked with anger in his voice.
“No, Daddy. It’s not,” Addison said with a delightful tone and a wide grin on her face.
“Who’s baby is it?” I demanded to know.
“I don’t know his name. We met in a bar in Chicago when I went on that business trip. He bought me a drink, paid attention to me, and it just happened. I swear it’ll never happen again. I love you so much.” She pleaded as she grabbed my hand.
Jerking my hand away from her, I threw my napkin on the table and stood up.
“We are one hundred percent over.” I pointed at her. “I never want to see or talk to you again.”
She sat at the table and sobbed as both my parents stared at her with anger.
“You’re obviously not the woman we thought you were,” my mother spoke. “I think it’s best you leave. You are not welcome in our home anymore.”
Kirsten got up from her seat and looked at Addison.
“I hate you!” She pointed at her.
“Feelings mutual, bitch.” Addison smirked.
Kirsten ran out of the house as I stood there with my hands tucked tightly in my pants pockets.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” My father directed his anger to Addison.
“Just a little sister looking out for her older brother and his future.”
“The real question here is who do you two think you are?” I pointed to my parents.
“Excuse me?” my mother said.
“What the hell are you talking about, son?”
“I’m talking about Ellie. I know what you did and what you told her,” I spoke through gritted teeth. “Do you have any idea how much you’ve hurt her and me?”
“You did that yourself by lying to her,” my mother said as she shifted in her seat. “I’ll do anything to protect this family and its reputation.
“And I’ll do anything to protect what’s mine,” I shouted as I walked out of the dining room and out of the house.
“Henry, wait,” Addison shouted as she ran after me.
Opening the door to the limo, I told her to get inside. Sliding in next to her, I shut the door and let out a deep breath.
“Thank you.” I grabbed her hand with a smile on my face.
“Don’t mention it. You’ve always had my back since the day I was born and now it’s my turn to have yours.”
“How did you find out?”
“You can’t tell anyone.”
“You know I won’t, Addison.”
“I asked Paulie for help. He hacked into her doctor’s computer system and peeked at her file.”
“What made you think she was lying?”
“When you told me about the night of her parent’s anniversary party and how your condoms were missing. I know you, Henry, and if you said you had just bought a box and you thought it was strange they weren’t in there, I knew something wasn’t right.”
“You are way too smart.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m great now that Kirsten is out of my life forever. Now I need to work on getting Ellie to forgive me.”
“You can do it. Christian, take me to the Plaza Hotel, please.”
“Of course, Addison.”
“You don’t want to stay with me tonight at the penthouse?”
“Nah, I have that amazing suite Mom already paid for. I’m going to order a ton of room service and purchase every spa service available.” She smirked. “Can I have the day off tomorrow?”
“Yes. You have earned a day off, little sister.” I kissed her forehead. “I’m not too sure what my future holds at Walker Capital in light of all of this, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough.”
Chapter 25
One Week Later
Ellie
I was so heartbroken I could barely breath. Each day I woke up was a struggle. But I had no choice because there was work to be done. I had five new clients contact me for website designs that I needed to work on, and I had a painting to finish. I’d spent most of my days locked up in my apartment because I didn’t feel like going out and dealing with the real world. After I reluctantly told Joni what happened, she lectured me like I knew she would. But then she showed up at my door with my favorite pizza, a large bag of my favorite chips and a gallon of my favorite ice cream. Then she spent the night and sat up with me while I cried on her shoulder. I�
��d been through heartbreak before, but nothing like this. I’d never felt so empty inside, and I hated him for doing this to me.
I had been working on a website design all day and I was hungry, so I got up and went over to the refrigerator to grab something. When I opened the door, I stared inside the empty refrigerator. Grabbing my phone, I thought about placing an order for take-out. But I’d eventually have to go food shopping at some point. After slipping on my shoes, I grabbed my purse and headed to the grocery store to pick up a few things. As I was picking out some apples and placing them in a bag, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning around, I froze when I saw Henry standing there.
“Hi,” he signed. “Can we talk?”
“Are you following me?” I signed without speaking for I didn’t want to cause a scene in the produce section.
“No. I just stopped to get a couple bags of spinach, and I saw you standing over here.”
“Leave me alone,” I signed and threw my bag of apples in the cart.
Suddenly, I felt his hand lightly grab my arm.
“Ellie, Kirsten’s baby isn’t mine,” he signed. “She slept with someone in Chicago when she was on a business trip.”
“Then the two of you are made for each other,” I signed.
“Ellie, please.”
“NO! I thought you were different from every other guy out there! I gave you my heart and you took it and smashed it into a tiny million pieces,” I signed, and people stared at us as they walked by.
“The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you. I would do anything for you, Ellie. Anything.”
“Then you should have told me about her, so I didn’t have to hear it from your mother. Just leave me alone, Henry. Please.” I took my cart and walked away before he saw the tears in my eyes.
After I paid for my groceries, I stepped outside and saw Christian standing there.
“Hi,” he signed with a smile. “I’ve been instructed to take you home.”
“Thanks, Christian, but I’m fine. I can get home myself.”
“Henry’s not in there. He took a cab back to the office.” I read his lips as he took my bags from me.