Chapter 7: The Ghost of What Could Have Been
Julian
Every beat of my heart felt like it was bruising my ribs.
I was kneeling on a braided rug in a small inn, staring at two little boys who shared my face, my blood, my DNA. My sons. The word echoed in my mind, a sacred chant that both healed and tortured me.
"Are you staying at our hotel?" Lucas asked, stepping closer. He smelled like baby shampoo and cinnamon. I had an overwhelming, primal urge to pull him into my arms, to bury my face in his dark curls and never let go, but I kept my hands firmly planted on my thighs.
Don't scare them. Don't break her rules.
"I would like to stay," I said softly, glancing up at Audrey. She stood with her arms crossed tightly over her chest, a physical barricade guarding her heart. "If your mother has a room for me."
"We have the Blue Room," Leo announced proudly. "It has a big bathtub with claw feet!"
"The Blue Room sounds perfect," I managed to say.
"Mrs. Higgins," Audrey interrupted, her voice tight. "Could you take the boys to the kitchen to help you bake those cookies we talked about?"
The older woman, who had been watching the scene with wide, speculative eyes, quickly nodded. "Of course, Audrey. Come along, boys. Let's leave the adults to their boring talk."
As they disappeared down the hall, taking the light and the air out of the room with them, I finally stood up. My knees felt weak. I ran a shaking hand through my hair, turning to face the woman I had driven away.
"They're incredible, Audrey," I whispered, my voice breaking. "They're beautiful. They're perfect."
"They are," she agreed, her tone guarded but laced with fierce maternal pride.
"I missed it," I said, the crushing weight of reality pressing down on my chest. "I missed their first words. I missed their first steps. I missed holding you in the hospital."
"You don't get to mourn the things you threw away, Julian," Audrey said coldly, walking over to the reception desk and pulling out a leather-bound ledger. "I am struggling to keep this place afloat. The Vanguard deal was going to save this inn. Since you ruined that, you are going to pay for your stay. Standard rates."
I stared at her. She was worried about the hotel's finances? I was a billionaire. I could buy the entire county and hand her the deed tomorrow.
"Audrey, I'll write you a check right now for ten million dollars. Hell, fifty million. I'll buy the inn, I'll pay off your debts, I'll—"
"No!" she slammed the ledger on the desk, the sharp sound echoing in the lobby. Her hazel eyes blazed with a fury so intense it made me step back. "Keep your dirty money, Julian. You think you can just swoop in here, flash your checkbook, and buy my forgiveness? Buy your way into their lives?"
"I am trying to provide for my family!"
"We are not your family!" she screamed, before immediately clapping a hand over her mouth, terrified the boys would hear. She lowered her voice to a harsh, venomous whisper. "You provided diamonds and penthouses, Julian. You didn't provide loyalty. I will take your money for a room, like any other guest. But you will not buy us."
May you like
I swallowed hard, tasting the bitter ash of my own past mistakes. She was right. Money was the weapon I had always used to fix my problems, and it was entirely useless here.
"Fine," I said quietly, pulling out my black card and placing it on the wooden desk. "Charge me for the Blue Room. Charge me for a month."
