Lahat ng Kabanata ng Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele: Kabanata 201 - Kabanata 210

[Cordelia]It's funny how many things happen at the Steele Family Hotel and Spa. After taking a proper shower and putting on some fresh clothing, I find myself standing outside of a familiar hotel suite, my hand poised near the door ready to knock. Only this time, I'm not here to find Atlas.I know where he is.This time I'm here to meet someone else who might become very important to me soon. As soon as my hand connects with the wood, Crissy Devaroux Bryant opens the door. She looks out of breath as if she ran to open it so that I didn't need to wait in the hall. "Come in," she steps aside, her face bright. "I am so happy you called.""Are you sure?" I duck my head, embarrassed at the thought of being a bother. "Of course," she leads me to a couch to sit on and offers me something to drink. I gladly take a warm cup of tea from her hands and she tells me about how she has wanted nothing more than to get

[Cordelia]"I found some writing," I announce, running my fingertips underneath the writing that is almost too small to read. "Fisher Pharmaceuticals. Have you ever heard of them? The name sounds familiar.""Nope," Tilly shakes her head as goes about making up a new batch of popcorn. "Sounds important though." Fisher. Where have I heard that name before?And then it strikes me. Looking through my things, I find the card that Magnus had given to me before when we met for hot chocolate. I compare it to the one on the envelope.It is identical. Both the card and the envelope have the same fish logo. "Magnus Fisher," I mumble aloud as I drop the envelope, not wanting to touch it more than necessary. I'm not worried that he poisoned it, although maybe I should considering everything he's done. I'm worried that whatever is in that envelope might poison my mind in some other way. Sometimes words can be the most

[Cordelia]"Well if you won't open it," Tilly takes the envelope from me. "I will."With a deft finger, she swipes open the package and carefully pours the contents onto the coffee table next to me. Inside is a note, a passport, a credit card, a copy of my birth certificate, and approximately 50,000 USD.The note is handwritten in a beautiful script, like something out of a forgotten time when people still wrote with quills. In long, fluid letters it read:__________________________Ms. Bryant,You neglected to collect your early present from the bank, so I thought it might be more convenient to have it delivered to your door. I hope you don't mind my forwardness in assuming you might need these materials as you start your new life. If you ever need help, please don't hesitate to reach out.In Fidelity,Magnus Fisher. ___________________________"So this is what was in the safe deposit box," Tilly picks up one of the stacks of cash and thumbs through it. "What is he helping you plan

That night, after burying Atlas and reading of his will, I flew to Vancouver with my mother, Cristiana. Although now I just call her mother, as over the last two months she has been a remarkable treasure, a best friend I always needed and didn't know I was missing. Once we were given the chance to know one another, we bonded instantly. With my help, she finalized her divorce from my father, David Bryant.I had a suspicion that he was behind a lot of Sydney's mischief, and with a little bit of digging, we were able to uncover evidence that he had been supplying her with money and other resources to break up me and Atlas. With my knowledge of the events and timing, we also found receipts that showed huge amounts of the aphrodisiac she had used to drug the wine ordered through David Bryant and shipped to her in California.At first, he protested, refusing to give her a divorce, knowing that after 30 years of marriage, she'd be entitled to half his wealth. Especially since they never sign

[Cordelia]It is light, barely more than tape and paper.Carefully I peel back the simple brown paper to reveal a box with the logo of a local jeweler. I double-check for a card to see if this package is from someone else because my anonymous present sender has never sent me anything expensive.Inside the larger box is a smaller green velvet box. Inside is a silver locket on a long silver chain. It is an elegant piece, simple and warms to my touch as I pull it out of the box. Inside I find a small dried flower placed in front of a photo of the California coastline. It looks like wild mustard, a weed that flourishes along the California coast--A little touch of home. On the other side, there is room for a picture, and I know that as soon as Jasper is born, I will place his little face there. My finger feels the gentle edges of an engraving. Flipping the locket to the back side, I see a large swooping C and S intertwined. "Cordelia Steele," I whisper as I open the locket again. It is