Page 171 of Chandelier Enthralled
He looked sheepish. “Your address book.”
The Liberty address book gifted to me by Aunt Rose. Hugo had gone through my personal items, and it felt like a violation—even though we had once shared a home.
“Did you find somewhere nice to live?” I asked.
“I was hoping you’d come back with me.”
“Hugo…” I paused, not wanting to cause a scene, sensing that dishing out the truth might cause him to react badly. “I need more time.”
He sighed. “You left in the middle of the night. That was stressful for me. It messed with my trust issues. You know that abandonment is one of my fears.”
Funny, how you ended up abandoning me with your actions.
My jaw tightened, and I wanted to blurt out that he’d causedmytrust issues. But I knew it was best not to drag this out or encourage him.
“We had so many laughs together.” Hugo pulled a cute face. “We were destined to be a power couple, you know that.”
“A power couple?”
“Yes, you and I had a future together.”
Cameron appeared at the door.
“Hello, Dr. Cole.” Hugo straightened. “Good to see you again.”
“Likewise,” said Cameron brightly, hiding his contempt.
“I need to talk to you,” Hugo said, his tone insistent.
I felt a wave of panic that Hugo had opened the floodgates to a confrontation with Cameron.
Cameron motioned for us to go inside. “You may talkwithme,” he said.
It was too late for Hugo…
He gave a nod of reticence and then looked nervous as he followed Cameron into the house.
I was left outside wondering what kind of fallout was ahead of us all. Shaking myself out of this mental fog, I hurried in after the men.
Cameron stood in the foyer, expressionless, with one hand casually tucked inside his trouser pocket. He was coiled tight and ready to psychologically strike.
“Don’t,” I said hoarsely, unsure if I was up to witnessing his brand of annihilation.
Hugo glanced at me.
Cameron tilted his head, trying to appear nonchalant. Nothing about this moment was casual—his brilliant brain was about to wage war against my ex. “What’s on your mind, Hugo?”
“I love your sister,” Hugo replied. “I’m here to persuade her to come back to New York with me, where she lives.”
“Interesting.” My brother’s voice was measured, a psychiatrist assessing a client’s process. “You didn’t think to call?”
“Cameron, please,” I blurted out.
“I’ll only be a moment.” Cameron reassured me with a wave of his hand, a silentlet me have these few minutes to convey my disquiet.
With my legs weakening, I sat down on the stairs, feeling a wave of confusion at seeing the man I had once loved intensely. We’d shared so many precious memories, and now here he stood acting as if he hadn’t shattered my existence.
Why did I feel sorry for him? Why did I feel this sudden desire to protect him from my brother—after all he’d done to me? It was like I was put on this earth to protect him, even at the cost of my own happiness, willingly sacrificing my own mental health and pushing my wellbeing aside.Me abandoning me.
