Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story (16 page)

"Hello?"

"Thank you for the flowers," Kate said softly. "They're beautiful."

"You're welcome," Nathan said.

"Why are you sorry?" Kate asked him.

"Earlier today you needed me to be supportive, and I wasn't," Nathan said. "Instead I was telling you what to do. I don't have the right to tell you how to live your life. I'm sorry, Katie. Can you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive," Kate said bright eyed.

"Jill invited me to lunch tomorrow," Nathan said, changing the subject. "Would you like to go with me?"

"Yes," Kate said. "What time do you want to pick me up?"

"How does eleven- thirty sound?"

"That's fine." Kate glanced at the clock on her bedside table and saw it was a few minutes before six. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"If you need me, Katie, I don't care what time it is, call me. I'll always be here for you."

"I know that, Nathan."

"Good," Nathan said. "Well, bye, Katie."

"Bye." Kate put her phone on the dresser and hurried down to dinner. As she entered the dining room she was shocked to see that Edward wasn't seated at the table. He was never late to dinner. Unsure if she should eat without him or wait, Kate moved down the table. No sooner had she sat down and Edward showed up. "Is everything all right?"

"No," Edward snarled. He jerked out a chair and sat down.

Kate waited until Edward started eating before she did. She didn't want to do anything that would anger him. Nervous, she kept her eyes on her plate and ate slowly.

"Who sent you the flowers?" Edward asked harshly. "Don't even think about lying."

Kate's heart felt like it was going to leap out of her chest. Afraid to answer the question she hesitated. "Uh- it w-was-"

"Answer the damn question!" Edward roared.

Kate jumped. "N-Nathan s-s-sent them t-to me."

"That's what I thought," Edward said coldly. "First he's kissing you and then sending you flowers. What next, Katelyn? Are you going to invite him to spend the night? Hell why don't you invite him to move in? He can sleep with you. Maybe he can teach you a few things. You're about as much fun as getting teeth pulled."

Tears sprang to Kate's eyes. His words hurt more than she wanted to admit. She put her fork down. "I am-"

"Tell me something, Katelyn," Edward said. "Is he a better kisser than me?"

"H-how did you know we kissed?"

Edward smiled coolly. "That's a good question, isn't it?"

"You're not going to answer it, are you?"

"No," Edward said, smirking. "Now answer the question. Is he a better kisser than me?"

An image of her and Nathan kissing popped into her head and a warm feeling spread through her. "Y-yes," she answered truthfully. "He's an amazing kisser."

A muscle twitched in Edward's jaw. "I don't want you seeing him anymore."

"I'm going to keep seeing him," Kate said calmly.

"Oh really?" Edward said. "Every time you disobey me and see him, you will spend one hour in the closet."

Kate's blood ran cold. She couldn't bear being locked in the closet.
He's not bluffing,
the voice in her head said.
He means every word. Is Nathan worth an hour of hell?
She squared her shoulders and looked into Edward's eyes. "You do what you have to do. I won't stop seeing him."

His eyes still on Kate, Edward called out, "William." The butler appeared suddenly as if he had been waiting in the corridor.

"Yes, sir?" He said.

"I think Katelyn needs an hour in the closet," Edward said. "Would you escort her to one?"

"Certainly, sir."

Despite the fear tearing at her insides, Kate refused to show any emotion in front of Edward. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. Her legs trembling horribly, she stood and followed William from the dining room, through the foyer and up the stairs. He opened the third door on the left and stood back. Swallowing against the bile that was rising in her throat, Kate stepped inside and William closed the door. Hearing the soft click of the lock, she crumpled to the floor and hugged her knees to her chest. Tears coursed down her cheeks, and she buried a sob against her leg.
Think of Nathan,
the voice told her.
You're doing this for you and Nathan. Concentrate on him and the happy times you shared.
She closed her eyes and let the memories flow over her.

Chapter 1
3

When the hour was up it was Clara who opened the closet door. She helped a sweaty, trembling Kate to her feet and across the hall to the bathroom. Once there she shut the lid on the toilet and set Kate down gently. Clara turned on the cold-water faucet and ran a washcloth under it. Wringing out the excess water, she wiped the sweat from Kate's face. After she was finished, she reached for the cup that sat beside the toothbrush holder and filled it with water. She pressed it into Kate's hand and told her to drink. Kate took a drink of the water. The cold liquid felt heavenly on her parched throat. She drank until the cup was empty and then handed it back to Clara.

"Do you feel better?" Clara asked.

"A little," Kate whispered. "Thank you."

"Why did you do it?" Clara asked. "Why did you go in the closet? All you had to do was promise Mr. Lewis you would stay away from Dr. Holden."

"Edward has taken enough from me all ready," Kate said. "Not this time. He's not taking Nathan from me. He can lock me in the closet all he wants. I am not budging on this."

"Dr. Holden must be a special man," Clara said.

"He is," Kate muttered.

"I wonder what he would do if he knew he was the reason you were locked in the closet, and that it will continue as long as you keep seeing him."

"He would stop seeing me," Kate said. "That's why he will never know."

Clara sighed. "Dear, you can't keep living like this."

"I don't have a choice," Kate said. Slowly, she stood and clutched the counter. "I need to check on Gaby."

"I checked on her less than twenty minutes ago," Clara said. "She was sleeping like an angel."

"Thank you," Kate told her. "Where is Edward?"

"He went out," Clara said. "He didn't say when he would be back."

"He probably went to see his mistress," Kate said coldly. "He accuses me of cheating. Hypocritical bastard."

"Calm down," Clara said.

Kate took several deep breaths. She moved away from the counter and stepped toward the door. A wave of dizziness swept over her, and she grabbed Clara before she fell. "The room is spinning," she gasped.

"Hold on to me," Clara said, slipping an arm around Kate's waist. "I'm not surprised you're light headed. You were in that stuffy closet for an hour, and you barely eat enough to keep a bird alive."

"I can't eat with Edward in the room," Kate said. "When he's near my stomach is in knots. It takes all I have to manage a few bites."

"Why don't I get you settled in your room and then I'll go and get you something to eat?" Clara suggested.

"I'd like that," Kate said.

"Has the dizziness passed?" Clara asked.

"Yes," Kate said.

"Let's go to your room," Clara said, "slowly."

Kate had a late dinner in her room followed by a quick bath. Feeling slightly better, she peeked in on Gaby who was sound asleep. Not wanting to wake the baby, she crept quietly from the nursery and went back to her room. Kate sat down on the side of the bed and picked up the baby receiver. She checked to make sure it was on and put it back down again. Tired, she stretched out on the bed and closed her eyes. An image of her and Nathan kissing flashed before her eyes. She moaned and rolled over onto her side. It was going to be a long night.

Nathan was eating breakfast the next morning when Connie breezed into the kitchen. "Good morning," he said, putting down his fork.

"Good morning." Connie bent down to kiss Nathan on the lips. He turned his head at the last second and her lips brushed his cheek. "Is something wrong?" She asked, frowning.

"I think I'm coming down with something," Nathan lied. "I don't want to pass it on to you." The truth was he couldn't bring himself to kiss her so soon after kissing Kate.

"You poor man," Connie said, sitting down across from him. "Can I get you anything?"

"No." Feeling guilty for lying to her about his health, Nathan pushed his chair back with his legs and stood. He carried his plate to the sink, rinsed it off and placed it in the dishwasher.

"I have an idea," Connie said. "Why don't I go rent some movies and we'll stay in?"

Nathan turned around and leaned against the counter. "I promised Jill I would have lunch at her house."

"Are you sure you should be going around Matt when you're coming down with something?" Connie asked concerned.

Unable to meet her gaze, Nathan looked over her shoulder. "Matt will be fine."

"Nathan, are you angry with me?" Connie asked.

"No," Nathan said. "Why do you ask?"

Connie rose from her chair and walked toward Nathan. She stopped in front of him and laid her hand on his arm. "You seem distant, and you won't look at me."

"I'm sorry." Nathan looked into Connie's eyes and wondered if he should tell her that he kissed Kate. His guilty conscience urged him to confess while his head told him it wasn't a good idea.

"What are you thinking?" Connie asked.

"Nothing important," Nathan said.

Connie shook her head. "You're lying to me. What's going on?"

"There is nothing going on," Nathan said, glaring at her. "Get off my back."

"Fine," Connie snapped. She whirled around and crossed the kitchen. In the doorway, she turned and gazed at Nathan with anger. "I'm not stupid, Nathan. I can tell when something isn't right. You were acting strange yesterday, and you're acting strange now. When you're ready to tell me what's going on you know where to find me."

Nathan stared at Connie's back as she walked away. He had to bite his tongue to keep from calling out to her. When he heard the front door slam shut, he grabbed the cordless phone off the counter and dialed Jill's number. His brother in law, Steve answered the phone.

"Talk to me."

"Hi, Steve."