Novel Square
Heart 75
Chapter 75 [Cordelia]
By the time I reached the Steele family home, I was exhausted in both body and soul. Knowing that I need
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ex-husband's help to get a loan infuriates me, but I can also see why a bank might not want to give me a loan. As a woman with no job experience other than being the wife of Atlas Steele, it doesn't matter to them how much time I've spent working on this new enterprise. They just see numbers and statistics, probability and chance.
Cordelia Louise Designs is too much of a gamble.
I know Atlas will have no problem co-signing the loan. Not because he loves me as the bank officer implied-he's never told me that he loves me, not once during our whole 5 years of marriage, and I'd be a fool to expect more than like, or maybe a bit of lust at this stage of our new relationship. We were just starting to make progress as a couple before I was taken away to that blasted island.
If I hadn't been kidnapped, maybe Atlas and I would have started a real relationship, one where I could ask these things of him without wondering if he was only doing this for me out of obligation for his child.
Or even if it had been anyone else on that island with Jude other than Angelica. The one person in the world that Atlas ever showed his soft side. The only person he loved with such devotion.
As I turn the corner to the Steele estate, Atlas is waiting for me on the road.
I wasn't expecting to see him out here. My heart skips a beat when I see him standing there waiting. Despite needing to ask him for something I don't want to ask him for, I find myself excited to be here with
him.
'I missed him.
Stepping out of the car, I notice Angelica standing in the open doorway behind Atlas. I smile, oddly glad to see her as well. She hasn't been around since the hospital. I hope she isn't sick, and that her memory is somewhat improved. I'd really like to get on with our lives again.
I watch in horror as her face twists and contorts. Kicking off her shoes, she dashes from the front door in a way antagonistic enough for me to know she isn't coming in for a hug.
I dive out of the way. Angelica misses me by inches.
"YOU PROMISED!!" she screams at Atlas as she continues to dive at me. He is holding her back but just barely as her fingers curl and her long painted nails threaten to slice my face. "What is going on," my mother's voice calls from the doorway. "Cordelia, what did you do to your sister? She was happy just a moment ago. What did you say?"
"I didn't....I just..." I am at a loss for words. Why is my mother defending her? I was the one who was just attacked.
I don't know what Atlas is saying to her, but it seems to calm Angelica. She leans into his chest as he pets her hair like one would an angry and upset child..
"Where's Clark?" My mom looks around. "Where is your fiance? Shouldn't he be taking care of you now?
Why are you here bothering Atlas? Today is a special day for your sister?"
Even though my mother and I haven't spoken much since I returned, the look of judgment in her eyes as she condemns me for bothering my ex-husband brings my heart to a new low. Picking myself up, I dust off my suit and look over my shoulder at the scene behind me.
Angelica is glaring at me, smiling.
"I'll call you later," Atlas promises. "Cordelia I'm so sorry I..."
"Don't," I shake my head, opening my car door and driving away. I could tell him about Angelica, but he won't believe me. None of them will.
I guess I'll need to find another way. One that doesn't involve Atlas' help.
By
the time I reach home, I am a sobbing mess. I can barely park the car and do such a poor job of it that I end up diagonal across three spaces.
I'm running out of fight. Maybe Tilly is right. Maybe I should give up and just work for someone else.
"Cordelia," a familiar, friendly voice calls my name but I am too weak to respond.
Cordelia, Cordy, please wait."
I take a shuddering step forward.
Two strong arms wrap around me, holding me tightly to his chest. "It's okay Cordy," he kisses the back of my hair. "I'm here now."