<b>Chapter </b><b>125 </b>
-HUNTER’S POW-
The silence in my study felt like a tomb after Vincent hung up. I stared at the broken pieces of my phone scattered across the Persian ru remembering how I had thrown it in rage.
Just like I had thrown away e
everything good in my life.
“Why? Why?”
The questions tormented me, but deep down, I knew the answers. I knew exactly why Celine had run Because I had be the monster everyone expected me to be.
Because when she needed me to fight for us, I had retreated into the cold, heartless shell that had protected me for so long
<b>Because </b>I had proven my mother right
Each minute that passed felt like an eternity. I paced the length of my study, my mind spiraling through every horrible possibility.
What if they were hurt? What if Caesar was scared and crying for me? What if Celine <b>was </b>somewhere broken and alone, believing I didn’t Care?
The study door burst open without ceremony, and Vincent strode in like an avenging angel in an expensive suit. His usually perfect <b>hair </b>was disheveled, his tie askew….clear signs he had broken several trafficws getting here.
“Start from the beginning,” hemanded, settling into the chair <b>across </b>from my desk. “When did youst see them?”
“Two days ago.” The admission tasted like poison. “Two d Celine and me was built on maniption and lies.”
days since Caroline’s confession. Thee days since learned everything between
Vincent’s expression darkened. “Caroline did what exactly?”
The story poured out of me….Caroline’s drugging of our drinks, her orchestration of that night, her desperate attempt to secure the Reid
bloodline.
With each word, Vincent’s face grew more thunderous.
“That maniptive little…..” He caught himself, running both hands through his hair. “Hunter, you do realize this changes nothing about how you feel <b>about </b>Celine, right? <b>About </b>Caesar?”
Changes everything I shot back, rising from my chair to pace. “Don’t like pieces on a chess board.”
t you see? She never chose me. Not really. Caroline forced us together
“Bullshit.”
“Vincent’s voice cut through my spiral like <b>a </b>de.
“Caroline might have <b>created </b>the opportunity, but everything that happened after was real. The way you two look at e are with Caesar, the <b>way </b>she makes you actually smile…none of that was faked.”
the way you
I wanted to argue, but the words died in my throat. Because somewhere beneath the <b>pain </b>and betrayal, I knew he was right.
“She left because of me,” I whispered. “Because I pushed her away when she needed me most.”
“Then we get her back.”
The simple certainty in his voice made me look up. Vincent was already pulling out his phone, fingers flying over the screen
“Derek is already on it.” he said, referring to his private investigator. “I called him on my way over, Best tracker in the business. <b>If </b>Celine and Caesar are anywhere in the continental United States, he’ll find them.”
Hope<b>, </b>dangerous and fragile, began to bloom in my chest. “You think…..
“I think you’re an idiot who’s wasted three days feeling sorry for himself instead of fighting for the woman he loves.” His words were harsh but necessary.
“But I also think it’s not toote. Assuming you’re ready to actually do something about it.”
Before I could respond<b>, </b>Sally appeared in the doorway, her weathered face creased with worry. “Mr. Peid? I’m sorry to interrupt, but <b>there’s </b>something you need to see.”
She held out an envelope, cream–colored and expensive. My mother’s stationary.
My blood turned to ice as I recognized the elegant script on the front: “To My Son: With trembling fingers, I tore it open <b>and </b><b>read</b>:
‘Hunter,
“By the time you read this, Miss Brown and the child will be long gone. I offered her a generous sum to disappear, and she epted. Two
million dors to vanish from <b>our </b>lives forever”
‘Before you let your emotions cloud your judgment, remember what you are. You are a Reid. You have responsibilities that transcend personal desires. Miss Brown understood this, even if you refuse to.”
“She took the money willingly. That should tell you everything you need to know about her true character.
‘I’ve <b>done </b>what needed to be done to protect our family’s future.”
‘Your Mother<b>‘ </b>
The letter fluttered from my numb fingers <b>as </b><b>rage</b>…pure, incandescent <b>fury</b>….consumed me. Vincent caught the paper before it hit the floor, his eyes scanning the contents rapidly
“That <b>cold</b><b>–</b>hearted witch,” he breathed.
But I was already moving, my vision tinged red with angen I strode past Sally, past Vincent’s calls for me to wait, up the grand staircase toward my mother’s favorite sitting room.
She would be there now, probably taking tea and congratting herself on ridding the family of itstest embarrassment.
I found her exactly where I expected, <b>posed </b>like a queen on her velvet throne<b>, </b>delicate china cup raised to her lips. She looked up as <b>I </b>entered, her expressionposed, expectant,
“Hunter. I see you received my note.”
“You unbelievable witch.” My voice was deadly quiet, each word dripping with venom. “How dare you? How dare you good thing in my life?”
away the only
Eleanor set down her cup with practiced grace. “I did what was necessary. That woman was using you, using Caesar to climb into our world The money simply revealed her true natyre.”
“Her true nature<b>?</b>” Iughed, the sound bitter and sharp.
“You want to talk about true nature? Let’s discuss yours. The woman who’s so terrified of losing control that she’d rather see her miserable than risk him finding happiness outside her influence
My mother’sposure cracked slightly. “Everything I’ve done has been for you, for this family….”
“No,” I stepped closer, lowering over her chair,
“Everything you’ve done has been about control. About maintaining your precious image. About keeping me trapped in this gilded cage so you’ll never have to face the fact that you failed as a mother”
Eleanor rose, her face flushing with anger. “I gave you everything! Education, opportunities, a legacy most men would kill for….
“You gave me nothing!” The words exploded from me with years of suppressed resentment.
“No love, no support, no eptance. Just endless expectations and criticism. Do you know what Celine gave me? Peace. Joy. A son who looked at me like 1 hung the stars.”
“That boy isn’t even…
“Don’t.” My voice dropped to a whisper so dangerous <b>that </b>Eleanor actually stepped back. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence. Caesaris my son in every way that matters. He’s the best part of me, and you drove him away.”
Tears…actual tears….<b>began </b>streaming down my mother’s <b>face</b>, but I felt <b>no </b>sympathy. Not anymore.
“She doesn’t des
deserve you,” she whispered. “Caesar is yours. I know it hard for you but she wouldn’t <b>have </b>left without her son.”
The confession hit me like a physical blow. “You knew? he is your grandson and you still….”
“I did what I thought was best for everyone involved.”
“You did
did what you thought would keep me under your thumb. I turned toward the door, my decision crystallizing with brutal rity.
“Well, congrattions, Mother. You’ve finally seeded in destroying thest plece of love I had for you.””
“Hunter, <b>wait</b>….”
But I was already gone, my footsteps echoing through the hallway <b>as </b>I returned to Vincent. He looked up from his phone as I entered the study, hope lighting his features:
“Derek found something” he said. “Credit card activity from this morning. Gas station outside Albany, New York. They’re heading north.” <fn4d33> This text is hosted at find?novel</fn4d33>
North.
Toward the Canadian border, maybe. Somewhere she could disappearpletely with Caesar, where the Reid name meant nothing and my money couldn’t reach them.
“How long ago?” I demanded.
“Four hours. But Hunter, there’s something else.” Vincent’s expression grew troubled.
“The gas station clerk remembers them. Sad the woman seemed upset<b>, </b>like she’d been crying. And the little boy kept asking when they were going home.”
The image of Caesar confused and scared, of Celine breaking down in some roadside gas station, nearly brought me to my knees.
“I need a car,” I said, my voice hoarse. “Something fast.”
“Already on it. My Ferrari’s out front.” Vincent tossed me the <b>keys</b>. “But Hunter….you can’t just chase her down like some saker, fine ba reason. If you want her back, you need to give her a reason to stay”
He was right, of course. But as I caught the <b>keys </b>and headed for the door, only one thought consumed me:
I had already lost them once through my own cowardice.
I wouldn’t lose them again.
Not without a fight.