I slip out of Jorgie’s room, closing the door behind me. I’ve done more packing than I can handle today.
“Do you think Ava would want this?” my mom asks when I pace back into the living room.
The first genuine smile in weeks crosses my face. Nodding my head, I remove the friendship rock from my mom’s grasp. My smile enlarges when I see the difference in the size of the hands painted on the rock. Ava’s hand print is much smaller than Jorgie’s.
I haven’t seen Ava since Jorgie’s funeral. As much as what she said to me hurt, it was true. I’ve always known she deserved a man much better than me. I was just hoping she was foolish enough not to care.
What she stumbled on at the back patio with Vicky wasn’t as it seemed. Yes, I did have Victoria’s lipstick smeared on my mouth, but that was only because she dove at me before I had the chance to register what she was doing. I pulled away from her in an instant, fuming with anger.
I’d just buried my sister and nephew; the last thing I was interested in was a quick fuck in the coatroom. Even if I weren’t attending a wake, I still wouldn’t have been interested in what Victoria is offering. You can’t spend weeks devouring a prime steak, then go back to eating a pork chop.
I was in the process of removing Victoria from Jorgie’s wake when Ava discovered us. I'm going to be honest, seeing Ava finally stand up to Victoria was one of the most visually satisfying sights I’ve ever seen. Victoria taunted both Ava and Jorgie for years, so witnessing her being put in her place was a gratifying experience.
My eyes turn to my mom when a loud gasp escapes her lips. She has one hand covering her mouth and the other is clutching a piece of paper. She is trembling so much, the paper shakes like a leaf. When her eyes lift to mine, my steps falter. It is only the smallest spark, but it is the first time I’ve seen it in her eyes in weeks. Happiness.
“What is it?” I ask.
When my mom remains quiet, I remove the piece of paper from her hand. My brows scrunch as my eyes roam over the document, speedreading the letter from the bank Jorgie worked at.
“Jorgie and Hawke’s mortgage was paid in full?” I ask incredulously.
A tear rolls down my mom’s cheek as she nods her head. “Do you think it is from the same company who paid Jorgie’s medical expenses and funeral?”
My eyes rocket from the letter to my mom. I was unaware someone had paid for Jorgie’s expenses. In all honesty, I didn’t even consider how my parents were going to afford those type of expenses. I was too focused on my grief to worry about those details.
“What was the name of the company?” I query, even though I'm fairly certain I already know the answer to my question.
“Holt enterprises,” my mom replies.
* * *
Perceiving my presence,Isaac’s gray eyes lift from his desk, which is covered in papers.
“Did you pay my sister’s mortgage?” I question, pacing further into his office.
He buttons his suit jacket as he stands from his chair. “Yes.”
“Why?” I ask, my tone shocked.
His eyes bore into mine as he scratches his brow. Most men would be quaking in their boots from the fierce look he is directing at me, but I can see that behind the furious mask he wears is a man struggling just as much as I am.
His eyes drift to the open door of his office before turning them back to me. “I understand what Hawke is going through.”
My brows furrow, but I remain silent, waiting for him to decide if he wishes to elaborate on his reply.
“Seven months ago, my girlfriend was killed in a traffic accident. She was pregnant with my baby.”
I suck in a deep breath, shocked by his response.How is he functioning so well in such a short period of time?
“Everyone handles grief differently. I threw myself into building my empire,” he responds, answering my silent question.
I nod, finally understanding why Hawke left so quickly. If he didn’t occupy his mind, he would have gone mad.
“Although your stories are similar, it doesn’t explain why you were so generous. You don’t even know Hawke. He is a stranger to you.”
“But I know you,” Isaac interrupts. “When you joined my empire, you became my family. I take care of my family.” Even though his tone is stern, his eyes reflect genuine remorse.
I once again nod. I spent my entire life protecting my sister, but the one time she needed me the most, I failed.
