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“Bro, be careful with your words. You don’t know that, and you don’t have proof.”
“Her past is all the proof I need. I’m sorry I ever got involved with her. God, I’m so fucking stupid.”
“Calm the fuck down, Gabriel. You’re not stupid. You just told me the other day how in love with her you were and how she makes your life so much better. Now the second something goes wrong, you automatically jump to the conclusion she did it. Unless you have proof, it’s not valid.”
“Then I’ll get proof.” I pointed at the computer screen.
“How?”
“I don’t know yet, but I will. Maybe she didn’t do it on purpose or maybe it was just a mention, but I specifically told her not to say a word to anyone.”
He let out a long sigh.
“I’m sorry this happened. I really am. But I can’t side with you on this unless you know for sure. And also, why are you letting Dad’s dream destroy your life?”
“I’m not.” I leaned back in my chair.
“You are. You’re still catering to him, even after he’s dead. The man was an emotional abuser and you know it. And even though he’s buried deep in the ground, he’s still controlling you.”
“You’re being ridiculous, Caleb.”
“No, Gabriel.” He pointed at me. “You are. As if there aren’t enough billion-dollar Quinn Hotels and Resorts in the world already. Why is this one so fucking important to you? I’ll tell you why. Because you’re still trying to make him proud. Just like you’ve done your entire life. Following him around like a lost puppy. I was the only one in the family who had enough guts to stand up to him and tell him exactly how I felt. Look at me, Gabriel. I’m happy and you’re miserable.”
“Now you’re just being a dick.”
“Listen, bro, I’m sorry that you’re going through this. You know I always have your back, but in this case, I’m not so sure. I have to go. Tomorrow is our last day of recording and then we’re heading back to New York. I’ll call you when I get in.”
“Have a safe flight,” I spoke as I hit the end button.
Chapter 32
Kate
As hard as I tried to open my swollen eyes, I couldn’t. They were sealed shut from all the crying I did last night plus the pounding of my head from the bottle of wine I drank. I lay there, still distraught and in disbelief that in a split second, my entire world crumbled before me. Tears started to creep out from the corner of my closed eyes. I didn’t think I had any tears left, but every time I thought about him, they started back up again. I felt paralyzed and I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed.
Three days later, after hibernating in my bed, only getting up to use the bathroom and get something to drink, I finally managed to take a bath. As I sunk down into the rose-scented bubbles, I recalled my last visit with my father.
“Daddy, there’s something I need to tell you,” I spoke as I looked down from the embarrassment of lying to him the past few years.
“What is it, baby girl?” he asked with concern.
I told him everything, and his eyes filled with tears.
“My god, Kate. I have no words for what you just told me. I’m so sorry.” He slowly shook his head as the tears steadily ran down his face.
We talked for as long as we could until our time was up. Before I left, he hugged me tight.
“Go live a normal life, baby. That’s all I want for you. I’m fine in here,” he whispered in my ear.
I told him all about Gabriel and how happy I was. Now I’d have to go and tell my father what happened. I should have expected it. Life was too good and after everything I had done, I didn’t deserve to be happy. This was karma paying me back for all those men I conned. I climbed out of the bathtub and slipped into my robe. I wasn’t hungry, but I knew I had to eat something since I hadn’t eaten in three days. I opened my freezer, since it was about the only thing that had some type of food in it and pulled out a frozen pizza. As I preheated the oven, the buzzer to my apartment rang. Who the hell would be visiting me? The thought that it was Gabriel made me panic.
“Can I help you?” I asked over the intercom.
“Kate, it’s me, Caleb. Can I come up?”
“Caleb? Sure. I’ll buzz you in.”
I opened the door in confusion and watched for him to get off the elevator.
