Billionaire Stepbrother: Spring (Our Forbidden Year Book 4) (4 page)

This was just another bump in the road, and I resolved to change that today. We were so much better together, and there was no way I could consider doing this without him. I needed his strength and support to even think about trying to find my real mom.

I let Phoebe sleep in and tried not to disturb her as I quickly got dressed. I just had to get to Lex; I couldn’t let another moment go by without being with him.

Crossing the foyer I was able to truly appreciate the vaulted ceilings and the dazzling chandeliers that made this hotel magnificent. I would’ve stopped to take in the art that lined the walls, but I was on a mission.

“
Excusez–moi, Mademoiselle
?” a low voice from behind called, but not thinking it had anything to do with me, I continued towards the entrance.

“Mademoiselle Chamberlin? Please, I have a message for you.”

I turned at the sound of Lex’s last name. Chamberlin would’ve technically been my name too, but when my mother had married his father I chose to keep my own surname, which was probably wise, what with the divorce and all.

The receptionist peered at me with a concerned look on his face; I thought I had done a good job of covering my puffy eyes from the night of high emotions before heading out of the suite. Maybe the hotel staff were trained to see these things.

“Are you OK?” the young man asked in a heavy French accent, momentarily distracted.

I blushed and nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. You said you had a message for me?”

“
Oui
, I mean, yes.” He stood awkwardly, nervous; he must’ve be new to job, I thought. He shuffled his feet closer, and it was then that I saw him holding a crisp white enveloped with both hands.

Not another bloody letter
.

He moved closer as if he were about to whisper in my ear.

“Monsieur Chamberlin, asked me to tell you that he was sorry and that he would give you some space.” The man’s eyes strained upwards as if he was doing his best to recall exactly the words he was to relay.

“What do you mean, space?”

“Er, well, I believe he is to be leaving Monaco.”

Oh no, I thought, as I crunched my eyelids together.

“He asked that I give you this.” The receptionist held out the envelope, but I ignored him.

“When?”

He shook his head, “I’m sorry, I do not understand.”

“How long ago was he here?” I asked impatiently.

The man raised his left wrist and looked at the watch covered by his suit sleeve.

“About an hour, I think, maybe more.”

Shit, shit, shit! That was all that ran through my mind as I sprinted out of the hotel and hopped into the first car that I prayed was a taxi.

Behind me, as the car drove away I could still hear the receptionist calling my name in my wake.

In my haste I hadn’t considered the problems that could’ve arisen from just jumping into foreign taxi. I knew just one thing; I had to get to Lex before he left. I didn’t need space, and I sure as hell didn’t want it. But luckily those few years of school French came rushing back and between the two of us – the driver’s muddled English and my fragmented phrases, waving hand signals and repeating “
les bateaux
” over and over again – we were able to point the car in the right direction heading for the harbour.

Fuck, this was all my fault. Why hadn’t I let him explain last night on the yacht? And could the driver go any slower?

Soon, the taxi drove over the smooth cobbles at the entrance of the port, and the barrier lifted to let us through.

The driver waved his hand, prompting me to give him further directions, but I couldn’t remember where the ship was berthed. We were surrounded by almost identical white, gleaming vessels, at least to my eyes, and I felt a wave of panic come over me. Like looking for a ship in the middle of the ocean…

“
Un moment, s’il vous plaît
,” I said, quickly cobbling together another phrase remembered from long ago and got out of the car.

I dashed from pier to pier, desperately looking for anything familiar. I wished I’d paid more attention the afternoon we’d pulled in, but I had been too busy worrying about Phoebe.

I ran along the last pier with a vague sense of recollection, the wall of the harbour behind me. This had to be it, I thought.

Yes!

I spotted Lex’s yacht, The Pearl, and the Union Jack that swayed in the breeze. My heart filled with joy as I realised he was still here.

My feet carried me up the gangplank to the main deck; I couldn’t wait to throw my arms around him. I was determined never to fight with him again, no matter what.

“Miss Aimee? What are you doing here?”

I turned toward the voice, but it was not Lex. It was one of the crew members, tidying up and packing away loose items around the interior, and I’d shamelessly forgotten his name.

“Hi,” I said panting, a smile fixed upon my face. “Where’s Lex?”

He frowned at me. “Mr Chamberlin flew out this morning…” he paused, not sure if he should continue. “I thought you were with him? We’re getting the ship ready to depart, to take her back to her home port.”

My whole body sagged, and embarrassment flooded my face with crimson. The last thing I wanted was the crew to gossip… I’m sure they already had enough material to write several exposés, even though they were all under a non–disclosure agreement. But even so, I didn’t want to give them any more ammo.

“Oh, of course. He’s away on business,” I said, shaking my head, pretending to be a ditzy blonde. I tried grinning. “I’d forget my head if it weren’t attached.”

“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked sceptically.

I waved the question away, “Just here to pick up a few things I left behind. Don’t worry, I won’t be in the way.”

Once alone, away from prying eyes in the cabin, I crumbled to the floor, hugged my knees, and sobbed.

Chapter Five

T
he taxi driver had been kind enough to wait for me… no doubt wanting his fare of course. He didn’t mutter a word after I asked him to take me back to the hotel; he’d seen the sombre expression on my face and wisely thought better of attempting any sort of conversation with me. It was a quiet journey back to the hotel as I stared out the window at all the happy faces. Couples on holidays and elegant women effortlessly walking their dogs in dangerously high–heels.

As we arrived back at the hotel I gave the driver another look to say that I would be right back. Me being me, I’d left without any means of paying him.

“Ah! Mademoiselle Chamberlin. Good, you have returned.” The receptionist who had spoken to me earlier came around from the high mahogany desk. “You forgot your letter,” he said waving it up high, making sure this time I wouldn’t leave without it.

I groaned. What could Lex possibly have to say that I’d want to read now? Fury and sadness twisted within my belly. The receptionist wasn’t going to give up this time and handed it to me. His duty was done.

He was about to return to his post when I asked, “Sorry, would it be possible for someone to pay for my taxi outside, and for the amount to be billed to my room?”

For a second his eye twitched, but he quickly regained his composure. “But, of course, Mademoiselle. It would be my great pleasure.”

I felt a twang of guilt for asking, but what else was I supposed to do? I had no money to pay for things. Lex had literally left me high and dry. Thank the heavens the room was being taken care of.

“
Merci,
” I replied weakly and dashed back up to the suite before I died of shame.

“He’s
what?
” Phoebe exclaimed after I recounted what had happened.

“Poof, gone. Apparently flew out of the country this morning, no idea where,” I replied.

“So, are we stranded? Have you tried calling him?”

My eyes widened and I almost slapped myself for not thinking of it sooner. Phoebe clapped a hand over her mouth as a loud guffaw escaped. I fixed her with a stern look, and she soon pasted a neutral mask upon her face.

I dug my phone out, called his number and waited. The rings seemed to go on forever, and I let out the breath I’d been holding. Then I heard his voice, and instinctively I smiled. But it was just his answering message.

Fuck.

I was becoming irritated. What was he trying to tell me something by leaving me without saying goodbye? Were we over? For someone who had proposed only a couple of months ago, this wasn’t looking good. Maybe I shouldn’t have kept him waiting…

“Lex, call me as soon as you get this,” I said and hung up.

I belly–flopped onto the bed and bellowed into the covers.

“What’s that?” Phoebe asked.

I mumbled an incoherent reply and soon felt a stabbing pain shoot through my ribs as Phoebe poked me hard.

“Ow! That hurt.” I flipped over onto my back.

“It was supposed to. What’s in there? It’s got your name on it,” she said and pointed to large white envelope.

“The receptionist downstairs gave it to me. Said it was from Lex.”

“And you haven’t opened it, why not?”

“I think my track record when opening letters speaks for itself.”

She rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you curious?”

“Yeah, but it’s probably a Dear John letter or Dear Jane letter, in my case. He’s probably so fed up with me and my shit that he wants nothing more to do with me. Why else would he leave the sodding country without even saying goodbye? Giving me space, my arse!”

I choked back a rising sob; I hadn’t realised how I’d been feeling before saying it out loud.

What if he has left me? What will I do?

My heart throbbed painfully at the thought; I couldn’t imagine a life without him now.

Phoebe sat beside me and encouraged me to read the letter.

“You can’t not read it. You’ll always regret it if you throw it away. But, if that’s what you want to do, then I’ll support your decision, and we’ll never have to see or talk about him again.”

I nodded, turned the envelope over in my hands and ripped it open.

I read the letter twice as tears streaked down my cheeks.

“Shit. Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” Phoebe said as she pulled me into a hug, crumpling the letter in the process.

I wiped the tears away with the back of my hand and shook my head trying to make sense of what I’d just read.

“I can’t believe it. He hasn’t really broken up with you, has he? That shit!” Phoebe gritted her teeth and looked as if she were about to go into full–on kicking ass and taking names mode.

“It’s OK,” I sniffled. “Here, look,” I said and passed over the letter.

Phoebe quickly scanned it and her face filled with concentration but as her eyes traced down the page, reading rapidly from left to right, her features softened.

***

My dear, darling Aimee,

I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am for not revealing the truth about your mother sooner, and I believe I will regret that decision for the rest of my life.

Please forgive my actions of last night. I had no right to get upset with you, and I’ve laid awake in an empty bed because of it.

I can’t imagine the pain you are going through right now, and for me to add to that pain breaks my heart. But please know this: the last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you or lose your trust. And I hope, at least, that someday I can make it up to you.

Sadly, I have to apologise once more, this time for my hasty departure, and I deeply regret that I can’t be with you right now. However, I trust that you and Phoebe will take good care of each other in my absence.

I also know you are probably feeling stranded and perhaps abandoned but Monaco is lovely; I have no doubt that you’ll be fine. I have also made arrangements for you and Phoebe to stay for as long or as little as you like at the Hermitage. So, please do not worry.

My one wish is that you can find it in your heart to forgive me, as I don’t think I could bear to be without you. You are my one and only, now and always.

I’ll try to call soon, my love.

Forever Yours,

Lex

P.S. Check with the manager at the front desk as I’ve left adequate funds for your stay, for as long as you need.

***

“Aww, no one has ever written me a love letter,” she said and brought a hand to her chest to cover her heart. “So, he can be a charmer when he wants to be, eh?”

I smiled, recalling his words;
my love.

“Eugh, I think I’m going to be sick…” Phoebe gulped and waved both hands near her mouth.

“What? He wasn’t that soppy,” I replied.

“No, I mean –” Phoebe clamped a hand over her gob and bolted from the room so fast that my head spun trying to figure out what was happening.

“OH!” I said under my breath, finally understanding, and chased after her into the bathroom. We sat hunched over the most glamorous toilet bowl in existence, and I held her hair back as last night’s banquet made a brief reappearance.