CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Call Me Mrs Hawthorne Again

ADELE'S POV

Pain has a way of silencing everything–except the voices in my head.

My eyes stayed fixated on the side mirror as we drove past the big black gates. Celeste’s car stalked us down the street, horn blaring like a war cry whenever Julian slowed to look at me.

He muttered my name softly and reached out to hold my hand, but I shrugged it off, keeping my focus on the side mirror.

He sighed in defeat and parked in the driveway, leaving no room for Celeste.

Celeste.

I could still feel her fingers on my scalp, pulling me. Destroying me.

He let her touch me.

He stood there and watched.

Now he wants to hold my hand?

I should’ve let her rip me bald.

I opened the passenger door before he could and hopped down.

The house loomed over me ominously.

My vision blurred and my knees weakened. A wave of nausea swept over me but I steeled myself and put one foot in front of the other.

'Don't let them see your shame, Ads. You're miserable enough as it is.' I chided myself.

Julian hovered behind me, hesitant, reaching out like he could hold together what he broke.

My feet wobbled but I'd be damned if I gave Celeste the satisfaction of watching me fall. Again.

She got out of her car and stalked in behind us.

I stopped in my tracks. How dare she show up here and walk in like the owner. The wife.

I whipped around and missed bumping into her.

She regarded me coolly.

I crossed my arms in front of my belly, shielding myself. Every nerve in my body was on fire.

“Still playing house, are we?” She raised an eyebrow.

“I should be asking you, Laurent. What are you doing here?” I stood firm.

If Julian was not saying anything, I wasn't going to play punching bag for his messy ex-wife. I sure as hell wasn't letting her in my house either.

“This is not the place. Not again.” Julian groaned.

I snapped my neck to the side and burned my eyes into his. The venom in my eyes startled him, but his eyes never left mine.

Julian Hawthorne is a proud man. He'll never let his defeat show.

“Let's not do ‘this’ again? Of course you'd say that. You're not the one with a bleeding scalp. For that particular reason, you're out of this conversation.”

A look of shock crossed his dark grey eyes.

The double doors opened and the butler traipsed out to take Julian's jacket.

Julian raised a firm hand.

“No thank you, William. Attend to Mrs. Hawthorne.”

The butler stared at Julian nervously.

“Em…sir. Which one?”

Julian's face turned a beet red.

“You already know the answer, William. Now move.”

I rolled my eyes but I let him take my coat. I asked for a cup of chamomile tea.

“Anything for you ma'am?” The butler turned to Celeste.

“Miss Laurent was just leaving. Isn't that so, Celeste?” I butted in.

Celeste looked wounded.

“How can you ask me to leave? That's my son who's missing!”

“And I express my condolences, but I will not allow you into my home. Not after everything.”

Julian stopped at the staircase and turned around, his gaze locked in on the butler.

“Do as Mrs. Hawthorne ordered. Escort our guest out.”

Satisfaction flooded through me and I exhaled and blinked rapidly, feeling my guard come down just a little bit.

Julian is on my side. I'm not alone.

“Julian!” Celeste squawked.

“You should be cozying up in a cell right now, and you just might, if Adele wishes so. Our son is missing, but that's not enough reason to hurt people.”

“Then what are you doing? Why are you back here when you should be out there looking for him?”

My eyes darted to Julian in alarm. She wasn't wrong.

Julian was stoic.

“There's nothing we can do about it just yet. I hired a P.I to find him. He's one of the best.”

The room fell silent, then he heaved a sigh.

Celeste was standing arms akimbo, shaking her head from side to side vigorously.

“That's bullshit, Julian. And you know it.”

“I'll find him, Celeste. I promise. I'll find our boy. But you can't be here. Adele doesn't want you here. When I know anything,you'll be the first to know “

He spoke with so much sincerity. How he was able to do it, I don't know. He didn't hang me out to dry. He calmed us both.

Celeste wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

“Notice my new hair colour, Julian?”

My brows furrowed. Her hair was blood red.

Julian lowered his eyes.

“Just leave, Celeste.”

“Oh I will, Julian. But I'll be back. For my son.”

She breezed out the door.

No one moved. Not until the sound of her car faded like a curse being lifted.

My hand fluttered to my stomach as I turned around. Julian stood there, watching me. Blocking my way.

“I need to get you a doctor” He stepped closer to me, reaching out to touch my hair.

I held up my hand, stopping him.

His hand went into his pocket.

“I watched it happen, and I froze. Again.”

I shook my head.

"Save it for the blogs, Julian. What you need to do is get out of my way. I need to take a nap. Tell William to bring my tea up to my room.Goodnight, Mr. Hawthorne “

I brushed past him, his scent making me heady and warm inside.

'Don't forgive him, Adele. He wasn't defending you because he loves you! He's just protecting his dignity. Go to bed.' My inner voice prodded me.

I was dizzy and my scalp was burning, but I didn't care.

My bedroom door closed with a click.

I crawled in bed with a determined look on my face.

Tonight I wasn't going to think about Julian or Celeste.

I said a prayer for Leo and forced my eyes shut, taking deep breaths, my unopened pack of cigarettes clutched tightly in my left hand.

I didn’t open them.

Not tonight.

I wasn’t ready to give her that power. Not again.

I drifted into a dreamless sleep.

*****

JULIAN'S POV

My phone buzzed noisily. I stirred. The bedside clock read 3:40 A.M.

I stretched a lazy hand for the phone, reading the caller ID.

Adrenaline soared through me and I bolted up.

My private Investigator.

I said a silent prayer and swiped up.

“Mr. Hawthorne, sir!”

“What do you know?” my chest tightened.

“I'm bringing him to you right now.”

I felt something unclench inside me. Relief coursed through my veins, filled my heart.

“That's great news! Thank you. I anticipate your return.”

I hung up and rolled out of bed, pulled on a shirt and was out of the room in minutes.

I had promised myself that I wouldn't stop in front of Adele's door,yet my feet grew heavy. I halted, my knuckles hanging inches from her door.

Should I tell her? Does she even want to talk to me?

I hovered, then shoved my hand in my pocket and went downstairs.

This is my problem. My life.

I need to take charge of it, instead of sucking her deeper into my mess.

I pulled out my phone and contemplated calling Celeste, but decided against it.

Celeste won't come back alone. Her team of lawyers will swoop down on me in an instant, and I'll lose Leo again.

I need a plan. I need to keep him safe.

I didn't file a missing person's case. I couldn't. He needed to stay hidden.

Away from the press and their scathing reviews.

He deserves the childhood I never got. He'll grow to understand. He'll thank me.

I redirect my thoughts and pour myself a drink.

As I pace in the foyer, my phone pings.

Celeste. I read the text.

"I'm filing a missing person's case. I'm going to get my son back. With or without you."

No no no.

Dread spread through my chest. Celeste is going to paint me as unfit again. That's what this is about.

I rang her but she declined twice.

This isn't just about Leo. I can feel it.

I have to stop her.

The doorbell rings and I beat the butler to it.

I swing the door open and there he is. My boy.

All the oxygen is sucked from my lungs, and I reach forward to hold him. My body folded in relief.

I wasn't prepared for Leo's reaction. His small hands pushed me roughly in the chest, freeing himself from my arms.

“I want my mother”, he said, stepping back.

Then he looked up at me, and I saw it.

The exact same rage Celeste wears when she thinks I’ve won.