Torrid Affair(95)

“This is fine.” I leaned forward and touched the brass one. “We'll take it.”

Donna nodded and handed us a few more papers to sign. When we finished, Louisa pushed off the plush chair and walked out of the funeral home. Delaney's arm was laced with hers as she helped her into my car. I rested against the trunk while I waited.

“Do you think we should check her into a psychiatric ward?” Delaney whispered as she walked toward the back of the car.

I shook my head slowly and shrugged. “No, I think she needs some time to process what happened. It can’t be easy for her.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. “How’s Caleb?”

“Better today.” She pulled her gaze away from mine. Digging in her purse, she pulled out her car keys.

“Good.”

“How are you?” She dangled her keys from one finger.

“Just peachy.”

“Are you ready for the wake?”

“I don't think so.” She leaned forward and rested a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I'm going to the hospital to check on Nate. See if he’s awake.”

The sound of his name hurt. I hadn’t seen him since they rushed him into surgery. I nodded, and my gaze landed on the gravel ahead. I wanted to see him. I wanted to be there, holding his hand, hoping he would wake up. But I wasn't his wife. That was her responsibility.

“I'll see you soon,” Delaney said and walked away.

I got in my car and drove Louisa home. The ride was silent until we were a few miles away from the house. I'd stopped at a red light when Louisa covered her face. Sobbing, she asked, “Please, Brielle, tell me what happened between them?”

I couldn’t tell her the truth because it would tarnish any good memory she had of her sons. Julian had gone there to kill me, and instead, Nate almost died.

I swallowed and reached across the console to take her hand in mine. “It was a misunderstanding.” My voice broke.

“It doesn’t make any sense. The medical examiner said he was drunk and high on cocaine.” She paused and gasped for air. “Julian was never like this before. What happened?”

I happened.

I managed to ruin the lives of the ones I loved most.





Chapter 36





Brielle

The floral scent at the funeral home caused my skin to crawl. Never again would I look at flowers the same. With the tragedy of Julian’s death, we decided it would be best to hold a small service for immediate friends and family only. Louisa had pasted together boards displaying photographs of Julian and Nate throughout the room. They looked so happy in them. Brothers through it all until I came along.

I nodded politely and accepted condolences, but I wasn’t devastated. I didn’t wish this for Julian, but I was finally free.

From across the room, I spotted Delaney, who smiled and hugged a few of Nate’s co-workers. She had been very tightlipped about Nate’s condition and had enforced a visitor’s restriction where only she and Louisa could see him.

“How are you?” Warren’s voice pulled me out of a trance.

“I feel numb,” I answered honestly.

“Would you rather feel pain?”

“No, but I should feel sadness. I’m a widow.”

Warren suggested we sit. “Brie.” He turned on his chair. “Julian was a son to me. I gladly adopted him and Nate when I married Louisa, but even when he was a kid he had anger issues Louisa never wanted to admit. She felt she was to blame. That he was acting out. We got him counseling, and it helped a lot when he was away at college. We thought he’d grown out of it. But what he was doing to you, you didn’t deserve.”

Taken aback, I stared at him dumbfounded. “You knew?”

“Not until I saw your face. I suspected it but I didn’t know for sure. Not to mention, you don’t seem like the grieving widow.” I wiped away a tear. “I’m sorry we weren’t there to help him sooner.”

“There’s no need to apologize. I never asked for help. How would you two even know?”

Warren sighed and cupped my hand with his. “Louisa will grieve him differently. He was her blood. But you shouldn’t feel guilty. You suffered tremendously while you were with him. I can tell because you’re not the same girl I met ten years ago.”

I cried, unable to hold it in anymore. I did feel guilty. If he’d landed his shot, I’d probably be the one dead and Nate and Julian would be okay.

“You get your life back.” Warren grinned softly. “And that’s a good thing.”

“I don’t know what’s next for me.” I shook my head. “I’m living one day at a time.”

“I know. And the answers will unfold, as they need to. But for now, take it one step at a time.”