What had she gotten herself into?
Ursula stared out into the night thinking about her situation. All she did was doubt herself with Stephen when he was not in her company. Should she take it as a sign?
The thoughts and doubts were driving her crazy. She didn’t know what to make of everything that was happening to her. Her parents wanted to meet the man she’d moved in with. She knew they would be unhappy when they saw him. Most people knew who Stephen Knox was even if they weren’t in the same social circles.
She fingered the pendant he’d given her. Why did he have to give her a family heirloom? Every time she thought they were having fun then he’d give her something that made her feel more and more like his girlfriend or wife than a lover. She knew he hadn’t given this pendant to anyone else. His mother when she was alive had worn the same pendant. She’d seen his family portraits and recognised the gift he’d given her.
Taking a breath she tried to analyse everything about him within a few moments. She knew her feelings for him were getting deeper. Part of her accepted the fact she was in love with him while another still denied any such feelings for him. The door behind her opened. Ursula turned to see Cadeon standing behind her. She stared back across the darkened garden as she tried to stem the flow of tears. So much was happening in her life, and she needed the world to stop for a few minutes for her to keep up. Stephen had a way of inserting himself into her life without her having any control over it. The worst part of all it was she liked him there. He dropped her off at college, and she wanted to go with him. The desire to be with him at all times scared her. For the last four years she’d been on her own with Paul. She never needed him or wanted him as much as she wanted Stephen, and the emotions were scaring her.
Cadeon stood next to her near the railing. He kept his distance from her, and for that she was thankful.
“I’ve never seen Stephen like this,” he said.
“Like what?” She bit her lip in an attempt to keep the tears inside.
“Happy. I know he’s got his moods, but I see a different inside him. He has been more diligent in work. Taking control of his business.” He kept talking to her about Stephen’s improvement.
“You’re talking about him as if he was a child.” She rubbed her arms. Cadeon draped his jacket over her arms to keep the cold away. “Thank you.”
“I know Stephen wouldn’t want you to catch a cold. I imagine he would love the excuse to keep you at home.”
She didn’t argue.
“He’s not a child. I know he’s older than I am, but since his parents passed there has been a lack of caring inside him. Before his parents died, he’d already taken over the reins of every company his father ran. The moment they were gone, he didn’t even bother. Most of his days have been spent lurking everywhere.”
She listened to what he had to say. Stephen clearly covered his pain with his moods. “Do you know if he even cried over his parents’ passing?”
“I don’t think Stephen is capable of crying. I’ve never seen him show any emotion besides anger.”
Ursula knew he got angry over the littlest thing. His anger had never been directed at her. “I’m not here for his money,” she said.
“I know.”
She frowned then turned to stare at him. “Why?”
“Stephen is many things, but a fool with a gold-digger isn’t one of them. If anything, I think you’re good for him.”
“His other friends don’t seem to think so.”
“Lucas and Sean were trying to make Stephen see something. I swear they mean you no harm. You’re Stephen’s woman, and they wouldn’t hurt you. We’re trying to get him to see something.”
“What are you trying to get him to see?” she asked.
Cadeon chuckled. “Would you believe me when I say I can’t tell you? I’m bound to keep the explanation to myself.”
“That is not fair. You’re asking me to be near two men I don’t know without any reason as to why.”
“Stephen will tell you in his own good time. Trust me, and come inside. You’ll catch your death in this cold.”
Ursula followed him inside, handing him his jacket. She saw Violet sitting on the counter waiting for him. He went to her, sinking his fingers into her hair, pulling her towards him for a deep kiss. Ursula watched them. They were connected in a vibrant kind of way. Their love could be felt for miles. She also saw how young she was compared to the other man.
“Are you all right?” Cadeon asked.
“I missed you,” Violet said.
“We’ll go soon.”