3/3
Chapter 332
Summer’s POV
Days went on and on.
Night had fallen over the Hamptons estate as I made my way upstairs, my footsteps echoing softly against the polished hardwood. I paused outside Brandon’s study, hearing his low voice through the door. He was on a call–again. Lately, it seemed like he was constantly on the phone, handling one crisis after another.
I hesitated, not wanting to interrupt, but I really needed to talk to him about something I’d been putting off. Taking a deep breath, I knocked softly and pushed the door open.
Brandon was standing by the window, phone pressed to his ear, silhouetted against the darkness outside. He glanced over his shoulder, his stern expression softening slightly when he saw me. He beckoned me with a quick gesture of his hand.
“Come here,” he mouthed silently.
I crossed the room and settled into one of the leather chairs, watching as he wrapped up his call. Something about work, as usual. Finally, he set the phone down and turned to face me.
“Looking for me?” he asked, his voice warm despite the lingering tension in his shoulders.
Yeah, I admitted, suddenly nervous about what I was about to ask. There’s actually something I’ve been meaning to bring up. I’ve been so busy lately that it almost slipped my mind, but my father–I mean, Richard–his birthday is coming up in a couple of days.*
Brandon raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue.
“I know he’s not my real father,” I rushed on, fidgeting with the hem of my sweater. “But I still have the Taylor name, and Grandpa George has always been good to me. If I don’t show up, it would seem… I don’t know, ungrateful? Disrespectful?”
Brandon nodded thoughtfully. “So?”
I stood up and walked over to him, looping my arms around his neck. “So… are you free that day?”
Brandon caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. “Are you planning to tell them about us? That we’re married?”
“That’s the plan,” I replied, suddenly nervous again. “I think it’s time.
“Good,” he murmured, pulling me closer.
Two days later, I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the front of my emerald green dress. I’d chosen something festive but tasteful–perfect for a family birthday celebration. My hair was swept up in an elegant twist, and I’d Brandon had given me last month.
out on the pearl earrings
I was just fastening the clasp on my bracelet when my phone rang. Brandon’s name flashed on the screen, and I felt a flutter of excitement. He’d been in the city all day dealing with some urgent business, but had promised to be back in time for us to drive to the Taylor estate together.
“Hey! Are you on your way home?” I answered cheerfully.
His heavy sigh immediately dampened my mood. “June, I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can make it today.”
1/3
My heart sank. “What? Why not? We were supposed to leave in less than an hour.”
“There’s an emergency at the Stark mansion,” Brandon explained, his voice tight with frustration. “I need to go there right away.”
“But…” I struggled to keep the disappointment from my voice. “I promised Grandpa I’d bring you. My parents are expecting me to bring…” I trailed off, not wanting to make him feel worse.
I’ll ask Sean to go with you,” Brandon suggested.
“No, no need,” I replied quickly. The last thing I wanted was to drag Sean into my family drama.
“I’m worried about you,” Brandon insisted, his tone brooking no argument. “Besides your grandfather George, nobody else in the Taylor family knows we’re married. If you show up alone, they might give you a hard time. Sean can help keep things… civil.”
I sighed, knowing he, was right. The Taylors had never been kind to me when I was alone and vulnerable.
“Alright, I relented, trying to mask my disappointment. “I’ll go with Sean.”
“Come home early,” Brandon said softly.
“You too,” I replied, then ended the call.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, watching as my excited smile faded into resignation. So much for my big plans to introduce Brandon as my husband.
I’d barely left the driveway when my phone rang again. This time it was Sean.
“Summer, where are you right now?” he asked without preamble.
“I just left the house,” I replied, keeping my eyes on the road. “Where are you?”
“At the hospital,” Sean answered. “Just finished up. Think you could swing by and pick me up?”
“Sure,” I agreed, already adjusting my route mentally. “Thanks for doing this, Dr. Sean.”
“No problem,” he replied easily. “See you soon.”
As I drove toward Manhattan General, I couldn’t help wondering what was really happening at the Stark mansion. Brandon had seemed genuinely disappointed about missing the birthday celebration. Whatever had come up must be serious.
I pulled up in front of the hospital in the sleek red Ferrari–a car Sean had lost to Brandon in some ridiculous bet months ago. Now Brandon occasionally let me drive it, claiming it matched my “fiery personality.”
I spotted Sean immediately, looking surprisingly dapper in a charcoal suit. I rolled down the window and called out, “Dr. Sean! Over here!”
He slid into the passenger seat with a low whistle. “Nice ride. Brandon’s letting you drive the Ferrari now?”
“Seatbelt,” I reminded him, not in the mood for his usual teasing.
Sean caught my expression and buckled up without further comment
20
drove toward upstate New York, I could feel Sean studying me
2/3
Chapter 332
“So,” he finally said, breaking the silence, Brandon couldn’t make it and sent me instead. You must be pretty disappanter
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. ‘Dr. Sean, seatbelt,‘ I repeated, though he was already wearing it
Sean raised his hands in surrender. ‘Got it. No talking about the husband. Strictly business today?
The rest of the drive passed in relative silence. As we approached the sprawling Taylor estate, I couldn’t help the knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. Through the wrought iron gates, I could already see dozens of cars parked in the circular driveway, indicating the party was well underway.
“Brandon mentioned this was your father’s birthday,” Sean remarked as I pulled into a parking space,
“Not my father,” I corrected automatically. “Richard Taylor.”
I shut off the engine, and sat for a moment, staring at the manor house. Its grand façade had once been intimidating, a physical representation of my outsider status within the family. Now it just looked… empty, Soulless.
“If you hate this place so much, why did you insist on coming?” Sean asked softly.
I turned to him, surprised by his perceptiveness. “Sometimes it’s not about what you want to do. It’s about what you need to do.” I opened my door. “Let’s go.”
Sean grabbed the elegantly wrapped gifts from the back seat. “I’ll take these.”
Thanks, Sean,” I said, genuinely appreciative. “But remember, in there, you’re not Sean Sullivan.”
“Right,” he grinned, adjusting his tie. “Can’t believe I’m still posing as my cousin after all this time. If Jesse ever finds out, he won’t let me off easy.”
With a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and headed toward the entrance. Time to face the Taylors once more.
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
<SHARE
