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"Because I knew that my life had been destroyed by my father's wrongdoing. I knew that because I had the same unusual name as he did that nobody would give me chance anywhere. Everybody would blame me and hate me for everything he did to people—he had hundreds of victims—I couldn’t escape my family name on the news and social media.”
“Your family name?” Cole asked.
“Yes, my family name. Go figure, I had to have the most unusual name on the planet to one of the most notorious criminals around. He was an evil person. He was terrible to my mother and me—he’d abused us over the years then abandoned us. And he was terrible to everybody he did business with. We'd been estranged for so long. But the family name was a curse. And as a stupid eighteen-year-old, I was so desperate I didn't know what to do with my life or if I should end it or what. So when Hope told me her horrifying story and how much she needed help, I wanted to help her while helping to escape my own tragedy. I wanted a new start. I knew it was possible that her own life could be in danger and I was willing to help her in any way I could. I figured it might even right some of the wrongs my father did to others. He’d caused the deaths of some of his clients. I was horrified when stuff about him came out in the media. I had no idea he’d done those terrible things. So I figured I'd help her out and at the same time start a new life. But I realize now that was foolish."
"But why do you feel you needed to change your last name? You said it was unusual, but come on…” Cole probed.
"My real name is Drew Xszykee. I’m Charlie Xszykee’s daughter.”
The temperature in the room dropped, and so did everyone’s jaw.
Silence befell the room. She hoped it didn’t mean they were disgusted with her.
“I didn’t want anything to do with his name—my family name. I was alone after my mother died years ago and then he'd been sent to prison. We lost our home; the bank seized our assets and everything of value. He didn't even want to see me, anyway. Not that we were close to begin with. Everywhere I went people looked down on me when they found out what my surname was. There’s no other like it in the world, yet it is the most searchable name on the Internet thanks to my dad, so I couldn’t even lie and say that I was from a different Xszykee family. Nobody wanted to have anything to do with the daughter of the world’s most notorious con artist and murderer. He’d also been charged with killing his former business partner. People can be so cruel on social media. I felt as a young girl at eighteen that I had nowhere else to turn at the time."
Cole felt as if his heart was ripped out of his chest. He sank inside. He almost collapsed on the chair. "You are Drew Xszykee? You’re Charlie Xszykee’s daughter?" Cole slapped his forehead with his hand. He gave a nervous chuckle. He could not seriously believe this. This was worse than he could have possibly imagined. That thieving creep Charlie Xszykee. Well, no wonder his daughter didn’t want anything to do with him. "So that's why you didn't mind changing identity thinking that things would be better."
"When you're eighteen and you’re dealing with this psychological trauma and emotional abuse on your own, sometimes you make stupid, rash decisions. I never thought about what it would do to the rest of my life—I was thinking of that horrible period in my life—in my family’s life. Changing my identity like that was a mistake—though I’m glad I helped out the real Hope, my friend Jewel,” she said, smiling at Jewel. She then sighed deeply. “I have to deal with the coincidences now.”
“Yes, you damn well have to,” Julius sneered, and he turned to Jewel as if lost for words. He then stormed out of the room. Jewel held up her chin, but Hope could sense that she was saddened by her father’s response. The man didn’t even ask to see his six-year-old grandchild. Hope was deeply sorry for her friend Jewel. She also wondered what Cole would do. Even though he’d professed his love for her in front of his family and strangers, she was sure things would never, could never, be the same between them. She hadn’t been up front with him from the beginning about her deception. How could he still love her the same way?
“Hope, I'm so sorry that you had to get caught in the middle of all of this," Jewel said to her friend.
"Oh no, Jewel," Hope said, "it’s not your fault. I'm so sorry about your father."
"You're so right, Hope. I was hoping my father would at least see how happy I am. And that how wrong he'd been about Giles. We're so happy. I can’t believe he didn't even ask to see his grandson. But it's okay. I've got good friends like you and a wonderful family of my own now. I only hope that my father will see one day what he's missing out on. You can't judge people as one. Love is so special and it transcends barriers. I wish he would see that."
"You said it," Cole chimed in. "Look, I'm really sorry about everything that’s going on with you, Jewel. But I want you to know you're welcome here at the Belmont Palace anytime."
"Oh, thank you so much, Cole.” Jewel beamed. “And I know that you'll make… Hope…or Drew…very happy. I'm so glad she's found you. You both deserve each other. You both deserve love and happiness. But listen,” she said, glancing at her watch, “I've got to get back. Let me know if there’s anything else you need from me. And, Hope," Jewel said turning to her friend, "no matter what my father says or does, I'll be sure to let the police know I paid you to impersonate me. I'm not sure about the laws here where that’s concerned, but I'll see to it that you get the best lawyer."
"Oh, don't worry about Hope," Cole interjected, "she'll get the best damned counsel the Belmonts can secure. The best in the world. There’s nothing too good for the mother of my child." Cole gazed deeply into Hope’s eyes.
Hope felt a blanket of security and support as if Cole had wrapped his love around her right there and then in the study. No matter what was going on in her life she knew that love could do wonders. And for some reason, for the first time in her life, she really felt that everything would be okay for her little girl Mia and for herself. What would she have done without Cole Belmont? She was sure glad he’d swooped in when he did to get to the bottom of her real identity. It was a relief he knew and was able to set things straight.
As Jewel left with Faith, Brandon also patted Cole on the back and told him he'd see him later at dinner, giving Cole and Hope some privacy. Brandon, Faith and Jewel then all walked out of the study.
Hope hugged herself looking out of the paned window near the fireplace as the snow flurries blew outside in the wind, her mind felt like a flurries of thoughts right now.
"Did you really mean what you said, Cole?" Hope asked again. She really needed to hear it again for reassurance.
"Of course I did, baby," Cole said in a deep voice that sent delightful shivers down her spine. She couldn't help but feel warm inside; the father of her child was a kindhearted, passionate person and one who was exceptionally forgiving. For what more could any woman ask?
Cole walked over and hugged Hope from behind; she felt his warmth through her body. "I love you with all my heart and soul, Cole. You mean the world to me." She turned to face him and studied the handsome features of his perfectly symmetrical face. She looked into his deep, sexy blue eyes and her world felt complete.
"I understand it was painful for you what you went through. I wish I could've been there for you,” Cole said, sighing deeply. “It hurts me inside to know that you've been hurting and that you felt you had to take those desperate measures. But I wish you were straight with me when you came to work for me at the hotel. You know I could've made it right for you."
"Oh, Cole, it would've been very hard. Especially after learning that my father hurt your company, too. I mean, he swindled you guys out of billions of dollars. What would you’ve done if you knew his daughter was working for you? I felt terrible about what my own father did to you and your family. I just thought you wouldn’t want anything to do with me. He’s a criminal and a fraudster, and well, I’m his daughter."
"I never judge a person for who her family is, ever,” Cole declared sternly. “I would never judge you for somebody else’s actions. You had nothing to do with what he did. They were his wrongdoings, not yours." Cole’s words sounded defiant, his jaw was set. "People should be judged on their own merits and nothing more and nothing less."
Hope felt heat wash over her body; she couldn't believe how honorable Cole was. "You are one in a million, you know that?”
"So are you, baby," Cole said with a sexy grin, "Not everyone would risk her life or freedom for a friend." His voice was deep and rich and sexy as he held her closer to his body, his warm, sexy, hot, muscular body. She just wanted to melt into him again right now, right there and then.
“Cole, I love you with all my heart and soul. And although I’ve lost a lot of my life, I realize the universe brought you to me as a gift and you more than made up for everything that was missing. I feel so blessed to have you my life. I want to start all over again. I want us to start again."
