DREAM (30 page)

~~~

“Dream.” I feel my hair being stroked. “Dream, wake up.”

My eyes flutter open and Gable’s dark eyes are staring back at me. I gasp and practically leap from the chair into his arms.

Gable groans.

“I’m sorry.” I pull away from him, forgetting he had been shot.

“It’s fine.”

“You’re alive.”

“So, it seems.” His voice is dead.

“Are you in pain? Do I need to get a doctor?” I can see how pale he looks and I know he’ll try to play it off.

“I’m fine.” I roll my eyes. “Stop, Dream.” He growls at me. “Why aren’t you resting?”

“I was.” I hold his hand, but he doesn’t return my touch.

“Why don’t you go back to your room and rest?”

What? Why is he pushing me away? “I want to be with you.”

“Bruce!” He yells and Bruce obediently comes into the room. “Take Dream to her room.”

“Gable.” I gasp. “Why? I want to make sure you’re okay.”

My husband turns away from me. I don’t know if I should scream at him, hit him, or just leave. I stare at the back of his head for a moment before Bruce takes my elbow and lifts me from the chair.

Like an airplane on auto-pilot, I let Bruce lead me back to my room and help me into my bed. He looks as if he wants to say something to me, but I shake my head. He nods and leaves my room.

Once I hear the door close, the tears finally fall.

~~~

“Mrs. Butler.”

My eyes hurt from the tears I’ve cried. When I finally force them open, the doctor is looking down at me.

“Mrs. Butler.”

“Yes.” My voice hurt my throat.

“We need to discuss your labs.” He took a seat in the chair beside my bed. “You’re on birth control correct?”

I nod.

“And the last time you were...attacked...your family doctor put you on an antibiotic?”

“Yes.” I sit up, confused about where he was going with these questions.

“But, you still took your pill?”

“Yes. Why are you asking me these questions?”

The doctor sighs and looks at me. “Because you’re pregnant, Mrs. Butler.”

In the past, I’ve heard the expression about the rug being pulled from under you, but I never understood it until this moment.

“That...that...can’t be. I take my pills.”

“Yes, you do. However, have you taken the same time everyday? Have you not missed a couple here and there? Did you take all of the antibiotic?”

I drop my head into my hands. This isn’t happening right now. I’m in a dream. None of this is real. It’s the worst timing for me to have a baby.

“Does Gable know?”

“Your husband?”

I nod.

“No, this is your medical chart. No one else knows.”

“Don’t let anyone see that or find out, do you understand me?” I lift my head and give him the meanest glare.

“Yes.” He shrinks back. “I’m sending you down for an ultrasound and going to refer you to an OBGYN. They should be here soon to take care of you.” He stands and heads for the door.

“When am I being released?” I blurt out my question.

“If the ultrasound comes back fine, I can let you go this afternoon.”

I nod and he leaves.

Why can’t I have a stress-free day?

~~~

I want Gable to be with me as I head down to the ultrasound, but Bruce says he’s asleep. I didn’t tell Bruce where I was being taken. I’ll tell Gable myself.

The tech lets me see on the screen the small glimpse of my baby. It’s a tiny speck and I feel the tears well up. I cry because Gable isn’t here with me. This should be a happy moment, yet it comes at the time of chaos and loss.

Once I’m back in my room, my lunch is served, but I barely touch it. It looks disgusting and I’m too tired to eat.

The doctor comes in and tells me the baby is doing fine. I’m about 6 weeks along and he hands me a list of OBGYNs. He says a nurse will be in soon and I can leave.

The nurse comes in with discharge papers and I change into jeans and a large sweatshirt Bruce had brought for me. Even though I’m supposed to leave in a wheelchair, I walk past the orderly and head to Gable’s room. I brush past the guards outside his door and burst in.

Gable is sitting on the side of the bed in a pair of black sweatpants and a white t-shirt. His eyes connect with mine, but he says nothing.

“Are you going to speak to me?”

Gable only continues to stare.

“Fine. Be that way. I’m going home and you can sit here and in silence. When you’re ready to let me in and talk then call me. Oh,” I hold up one finger. “I’m taking Bruce
and
Trent with me, since Leo is dead.”

I saw Gable flinch at my harsh words. I don’t wait for an answer as I turn on my heels and head out of his room. Without a word, Bruce follows me out of the hospital. Trent is waiting for us at the entryway.

The drive to Butler Mansion is quiet, and I’m glad because I have too much spinning in my head to have any more added to it.

I don’t speak to anyone as I walk into our home. Is it still
our home
? Or is just a
place
? I head into the media room and flip on
Gone with the Wind
. I mindlessly sit there watching the scenes on the screen, but my thoughts are elsewhere. They are with Gable, our baby, our future, Gideon, Mama, and JE. Every memory leads to another one and there are more bad than good.

I can’t deal with a life of continued drama and death, especially with a baby on the way. I didn’t grow up like that and neither will my child. I love Gable. Our relationship has been a mess since day one, but I love him. I know he loves me because I can see it in his eyes. But can he get beyond all of this and help create a life for me and our family? Is there a future for us?

I didn’t know the answers. I hoped Gable had them.

Chapter 30

Two days.

It’s been two days since I’ve been home and it has a bad two days.

I have tried to see Gable several times, but he never talks to me, and the last time he refused to see me.

I made the decision to move back to Jackson Manor the last time I saw Gable. If he doesn’t want to talk to me, that’s fine, but I’m not going to sit in his house while he does it.

Mama decided to cremate Gideon without any type of visitations or services. I told her I would be there for her, if she needed, but she refused and did it on her own. Since Leo had no family, I took care of his arrangements. Like Mama, I cremated him, but I’m not sure what I will do with his ashes.

There have been numerous detectives taking my statement and I am finally tired of the same questions and start sending them to Mr. Nickerson to arrange an appointment. Needless to say, they start leaving me alone.

Mrs. Stones and I keep our focus on JE and our clients. I haven’t told anyone about the baby, yet. Gable’s should know before the world does. However, since he won’t even see me, that’s not something I can tell him.

“Dream.” Mrs. Stones brings me back to the present. “Bruce is ready to take you home.”

I nod and gather my things. Bruce is waiting for me at the elevator as I walk out of my office.

When Trent pulls into my driveway, I’m too busy reading my emails to even realize the Mercedes has stopped. When the door opens, I jump out, still staring at my phone, and walk into the house.

“So, you’re ignoring me now?”

I almost trip over my own feet as I whip around and see Gable standing in the foyer. He is in his black pants, black shirt, and red tie.

“I didn’t see you.”

“I opened the car door for you.”

“I’m busy.” I growl at him, waving my phone at him. “I’m sure you understand that statement.”

“I do.” He comes closer to me. “We need to talk.”

“Now, you want to talk.” I toss all my things on the center table. “There.” I point at everything. “I dropped everything for you. Like I always do.”

Gable pinched the bridge of his nose. He looks exhausted. “Dream, I don’t want to fight. I want to say my peace, okay?”

“I want to say something first.” I need to tell him about the baby. He needs to know.

“No. Not this time, Dream. I need to speak first.” His blue eyes look sad and for a moment, I’m stunned. I nod, wanting to know what he’ll say.

“Jacob, Aven, and Gideon are all gone now. You have no other threats against you or JE. Therefore,” he takes a deep breath. “We don’t need to stay married.”

My mouth drops.

“You’ve already moved out and I understand why. You will have Bruce and Trent by your side for as long as you want. Mr. Nickerson will be sending you all the paperwork to dissolution our marriage tomorrow.”

I feel as if I’ve been punched in the chest. “What?”

“This is how it should be.” He states firmly. “We both know this marriage is a sham.”

I shake my head. “You told me you loved me.”

“I’ve said a lot of things, Dream.” The invisible knife drives deeper into my heart at his cruel words. “I’ll make sure you’re well compensated for your time.”

“Get out.” The words left me quickly and I couldn’t even think about them.

“Dream, I’m-”

“Get out, now.” The first tear rolls down my cheek and I can’t stop them.

Gable pales and looks away from me. “Dream, please-”

“You don’t want me or this marriage. I left Butler Mansion to give you space until you were ready to talk. And this-” a sob escapes me. “This is what you want?”

He turns his face toward me and I see his eyes are wet. “Yes” he finally says.

“Then get out and I don’t ever want to see you again.”

Our gaze stays connected for a few more brief seconds before he turns and leaves. When the door shuts, I pick up the vase on the table, and with all my might, fling it across the room at the door. It shatters, as do I onto the floor in a sobs.

~~~

Family and Jackson Enterprise are all that you need in your life.

I have no family left and I don’t even want to go to JE right now. Mrs. Stones has done her best to keep me busy today, but it soon comes to a halt when Mr. Nickerson appears with the divorce papers. He says nothing as he hands it to me.

“Please leave.” I tell them both as I slam the package onto my desk. They both leave me alone.

With shaking hands, I begin to flip through our divorce papers. All through the night, I did my best to mentally and emotionally prepare myself for this moment. It’s not working as the tears return.

This is my first true heartbreak. This is my first true love pushing me away from him. I thought about fighting for him. I was going to go last night, but I stopped myself. What’s the point? He lied to me again. He never loved me. He used me for whatever reason he needed to.

I remember Aven saying he always has a plan. I’m guessing now that is all I was to him. A plan. More like a pawn in the sick games he plays. So, what’s the need to fight? My baby and I will survive and thrive just fine without him. I’m not going to lie to myself that I’m not heartbroken, but I have to move on because I don’t have a choice: he doesn’t want me.

I read each page carefully and I’m not surprised by anything. He’s giving me everything, all of JE shares, protection with the Butler Corp security, and pretty much anything else I want.

It’s not until the last page that I gasp. Gable is giving me fifty million dollars. It’s my compensation package.

There it is…

As if a brick fell from the sky and hit me on the head, an idea pinged into my brain.

Family and Jackson Enterprise are all that you need in your life.

No. I don’t need either of those. I need my baby and me and I have my way out. I push the intercom button and ask Mrs. Stones to come in.

“Yes?” She asks as she shuts the door.

“Didn’t you talk to Dad about retiring a couple years ago?” I stand up and walk over to her.

“Yes. My siblings live near the coast and I wanted to move there to be closer to them.” She looks perplexed.

“Perfect. Send Mr. Nickerson in.” I turn back to the paperwork and wait for him to come in.

“Dream.”

“I have two changes to these papers.” I rush out before I change my mind.

“Okay.”

“I want the fifty million dollars by the end of the week, and I want Gable to purchase JE from me.”

Mrs. Stones gasps and Mr. Nickerson’s face drops.

“I’m not joking; I’m serious. I’m done with JE and I need to find myself and I can’t do it here. You tell Gable that’s what I want and I’ll sign the papers.”

They both study me to see if I’m going to change my mind, but I know I’m not going to. This is the best plan for me and I need it to happen now. I first relied on my dad and then when he was gone, it was Gable, but no more. I’m going to take this money and find Dream. The real Dream. I want to make sure my baby has a secure future and no one will dictate to him or her what to do or how to live their life.

I know Gable is a good businessman. He’ll take care of JE and run it right. It won’t be as profitable as his other adventures, but I know it will make him money.

“I will contact Gable immediately.” Mr. Nickerson says and leaves the office.

There’s a small sigh of relief as my plan continues to form in my head.

I can do this.

I will do this.

~~~

The wheels are in motion as the week ends. I haven’t heard back from Mr. Nickerson, but after talking to my accountant, I can still do a lot with the money I have now. I gave Mrs. Stones a large bonus, cupcakes, and long hug for all she’s done for JE, Dad, and me. She told me she was sad to leave, but happy to see the woman I’d become.

I packed up bits and pieces of the office. I took all the pictures, but left the files, furniture, and wall hangings. They may have been Dad’s but I didn’t want them. The memories I will hang onto are those of our time together.

I called for movers to come and pack up my items at Butler Mansion. Gable gave them no grief and they took only my items. I contacted an antique dealer to price and sell the items in Jackson Manor. It’s a fresh start for me and I want everything new.

Selling the house will be the hardest. This is my home. All my memories are stored up here, but I need to focus on me and my baby. Bruce and Trent have helped me out a lot and I’m thankful for them.

Gable still doesn’t know I’m pregnant and I’m going to keep it that way, as long as I can. I will deal with the consequences of not telling him later. Right now, I’m going to be selfish. He didn’t want me; he let me go with barely a word. For now, this is about me and finding out who I am and what I am made of before my baby is born.

When Bruce drives me home, I’m not as shocked as I should be to see Gable and Mr. Nickerson in my driveway. It’s the end of the week, and I didn’t think Gable would protest my changes. Not after his last visit.

Bruce opens the door for me, and I approach them both. “May I help you?”

“I have all the papers drawn up and all you both need to do is sign them.” Mr. Nickerson looks between us.

I don’t even look at Gable as I nod and we all head into the house. Personally, I didn’t want to do it here, but it needs to be done.

“Where are all your things?” Gable asks as we walk through the bare living room and dining room, into the kitchen.

I don’t answer him.

“Dream.” He growls at me.

“None of your business.” I answer him. “Where are the papers and my check?”

“Here.” Mr. Nickerson pulls out the paperwork. “Sign here.” He points and I grab a pen from my purse.

I scribble
Dream Butler
across the page. He points for Gable to sign and there’s a second of hesitation, but then signs his.

“Congratulations, you’re both divorced. Gable you now own JE and here’s your check, Dream.” Mr. Nickerson hands me an envelope. I check inside where there’s a certified check with my name on it.

“Great.” I say with no emotions. In truth, my heart is beating out of my chest and breaking into a million pieces, my hands are shaking, and I’m trying to hold back the tears.

Change sucks, but I need to do it.

“Could you leave us for a moment?” Gable requests of Mr. Nickerson.

I don’t want to be alone with Gable right now, but maybe we need closure. Or maybe I should punch him for dragging me through all of this?

“Why are you giving me JE?”

“I didn’t give it to you. You bought it.” I correct him.

“Don’t piss around right now, Dream. What do you have planned?” His face reddens.

“Oh, are you mad because you’re not running this show anymore?” I quip back at him. “Why don’t you just leave?”

Gable’s face falls into his hands for a beat, and then pushes it through his hair. “You don’t understand, Dream.”

“I know. Do you why I know that? It’s because you won’t let me in. Instead you lie, keep secrets, get people killed, and never once trusted me.”

Gable closes his eyes. “Out of everyone in my life, you are the only one I trust.”

“Now, it’s in the past. I’m sure you can find another pawn to play in your twisted game.”

“Dream.” My name leaving his mouth is filled with hurt and pain, but I don’t waver.

“Goodbye, Gable.” I feel the lump in my throat growing, but I swallow it away.

His blue eyes are wet, but the tears don’t fall.

“Goodbye, Dream.”