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Chapter Twenty-Eight

Scarlett

The closer we get to Barrington’s office, the more dread that fills my stomach. I’m not sure what this has to do with me, but seeing Piers so tense has me on high alert.

When we arrive, the secretary leads us into a large meeting room, just beyond dark walnut doors. Drew stays out with the receptionist, while Piers leads the way, Willow next and then me. Before I even enter the room, Willow’s gasp is enough to have my hair standing on end.

“James?” Piers draws in a sharp breath.

Larger than life, James Black sits at the head of the meeting table in a dark navy suit, with his black hair slicked back and his blue eyes staring in our direction, as we file into the large room, that suddenly feels too small. We all remain standing, I think because we are in shock.

It’s like seeing a ghost.

Oh, my God. It can’t be. I need to call Cohen, he needs to know.

“I’m sure you’re all wondering what we’re here for? It seems in my absence, there have been many things brought to light. As I’m sure you’re now aware, I do in fact have a son, Cohen.” His tone is very matter of fact, as his eyes pass over us, all lined up at one end of the table while he sits at the other end flanked by two men.

The older distinguished looking gentleman sitting to his right is Mr. Barrington, the other fellow standing to his left, I’ve never seen before. His menacing stance and tinted glasses give away the fact that he is some type of hired guard.

Acid fills my mouth as I think how wrong this is the Cohen isn’t here, but he’s back in Scotland taking care of his mum and hand itches to reach in my bag and pull out my mobile, but something about being in James’ presence transports me back to being a child. I’m fearful to make one wrong move.

James was never violent towards us in his actions, but he didn’t have to be. He was a man who’s voice could strike fear into the hearts of grown men. Realizing that I’ve started to zone out, I focus on what he’s saying as the ringing in my ears lessens. I don’t want to miss a single word.

“Willow, dear.” His voice gets choked up with emotion and I haven’t seen James like this, but very few times in my entire life. Men like him show no weakness.

“Willow, I’m so glad to see that you found your way back home.” He addresses them, watching closely as he speaks. Ever the businessman, he’s gauging their reactions.

“Piers, it seems I have you to thank for that.” His voice seems genuine, but he still carries that same air of authority when he speaks. The type of control you’re born with.

I look between Willow and James and back at James, again. Shocked would be an understatement.

“Wendy would’ve been so glad to have you home, taking your rightful place at Everland, and bringing young Drew to grow up where you lived. It’s what she always wanted. I guess by now, you know that from the reading of the will.” He goes into detail, about the stipulations and I shudder at the mention of Wendy’s death.

“I do.” She agrees, quietly. “How did you know Piers found me?”

“I know everything. I know that he found you and brought you home. Piers, for that I’m forever grateful to you. Willow, that’s what Wendy wanted, I’m just sorry that I played such a huge part in you leaving your home for the first place.” He drops his head forward.

“I can’t undo the past; I can only look towards the future.” He pauses, breathing deeply as he gets his bearings, eyes still cast downward at the table. “I never was an emotional man. Passionate, yes… jealous, yes. And even at times ruthless and selfish, all those things. But when I lost Wendy some of that fire burned out.”

He looks up, with red rimmed eyes and no one says a word. The tension in the room is stifling.

“Putting her in the grave, knowing the only person who ever loved me back was gone, I-something inside me broke. The doctor still doesn’t know what it was or what happened, the only thing I can say is it was a broken heart. Standing outside her grave, I then looked up and into the eyes of the son I thought I would never see, a child that had been taken from me before he was even born.” His voice grows agitated and I risk stealing a glance at Willow and Piers and find that they are just as dumbfounded as I am.

Guilt swims in my gut, hearing words that Cohen deserves to know.

“A baby that I was never intended to know about, shows up as a grown man… they think the shock of seeing him, combined with grief is what caused me to have the episode. Now you might wonder how I know all of this and you have to remember, I have eyes and ears everywhere and I’m always watching.”

“I believe that.” Piers mumbles under his breath.

I can see the tick of Piers’ jaw, and I know that he’s working extra hard to keep himself from blowing up.

“Wendy may have thought she was keeping you from me, I knew. Willow, I always knew where you were. I didn’t however know, that you had a son, Phoenix Andrew Nichols, until about three years ago. That’s when I change my will, but at that time I did not know that I had a legitimate heir. His mother had lied about so much, it’s possible that she was lying about the child even being mine. But when I saw him, saw that black hair and cool blue eyes glaring at me with hatred, I knew without a doubt that he was mine.” His voice catches on the last word.

My mind aches from trying to remember that dark day in the cemetary, desperate to recall if I saw him there without realizing it. But all I can see is James glaring at us, and dirt on roses.

“Willow, I’m glad to have you back and I truly am sorry I hope you someday you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me and let me be a part of young Drew‘s life.”

Tears prick my eyes even know the words that James is saying or not directed at me Wendy remain silent frozen in place.