Chapter 349
Summer’s POV
Has Brandon been good to you?
Sean’s question kept repeating in my head. Objectively, I knew the answer was yes. Brandon had been more than good to me – he d been extraordinary. He’d protected me, supported me, chosen me over and over again.
And yet, here I was, feeling like my heart had been ripped out of my chest.
“Fuck,” I whispered, pressing the heels of my hands against my eyes.
Rationally, I understood what Sean was trying to tell me. I should trust Brandon, give him the benefit of the doubt. But emotionally? That was a different story. The image of Lyanna standing there with Timothy, calling Brandon Daddy, was burned into my brain.
I rolled onto my side, hagging à pillow to my chest. The bed felt too big, too empty without Brandon beside me. But I couldn’t face him right now. Not when my emotions were this raw.
It was a miracle I’d held it together this long. After everything with Alexander and Victoria, after my parents betrayal–I thought I was done with surprises.
Sleep eluded me completely. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Timothy’s innocent face looking up at Brandon with complete adoration.
Morning came with painful brightness. I dragged myself out of bed, feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. One glance in the mirror confirmed I looked as bad as I felt–dark circles under my eyes, hair a mess, face pale.
When I stepped into the hallway, Brandon was emerging from the guest room at the same time. He looked as exhausted as I felt, his usually impeccable appearance showing signs of a restless night. For a moment, we just stared at each other across the corridor.
He looked away first, his shoulders tense. “Sum
”
“You want to explain?” I cut him off, my voice surprisingly steady.
Brandon’s eyes met mine again. “Do you want to hear it?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, crossing my arms protectively
- er.
my chest. “I don’t know what I want right now.”
I turned away, heading for the stairs.
“Summer!” Brandon called after me, his voice strained.
I paused at the top of the stairs, not turning around. “What?”
“I can explain everything,” he said quietly. “If you want to hear it.”
I finally looked back at him. “Do you want to tell me?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “But only if you’re ready to listen.
I shook my head, feeling suddenly overwhelmed. “I need some time, said, my voice cracking slightly. “I just… I need time,
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Chapter 349
Brandon.
He nodded slowly, “Okay.”
The next few days were excruciating. Brandon and I moved around each other like ghosts, careful not to get too close. I slept alone in our bedroom while he took the guest room without complaint.
At work, everyone could feel the tension. The atmosphere at Stark Group became so strained that people scattered when they saw either of us coming.
Lyanna, meanwhile, was clearly delighted by the rift between us. I caught her smirking at me more than once during meetings, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
By the fifth day, even I had to admit this couldn’t go on. We were both miserable, both exhausted, both hurting. But I still couldn’t bring myself to make the first move.
Then came the day I had to meet with representatives from Sothebys. Leo Schmidt and I spent hours negotiating terms, and by the time e finished, I was mentally drained.
I was walking out of Christie’s when I spotted Brandon’s Bentley parked across the street. Leo excused himself almost immediately. and I knew without asking that Brandon had arranged it.
Tames held the car door open for me with a sympathetic smile. I slid into the back seat, not surprised to find Brandon already there.
“Mr. Schmidt seemed in a hurry,” I commented dryly as James closed the door.
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