With a low sigh, my eyes closed, pushing away the painful memory before finding the strength to mutter. “Yeah.”

Caleb nodded as though he understood. I pushed away from the window where I had stood for what felt like hours and ran my hands through my hair. The double doors leading to Cassandra opened and I watched a nurse walk out and head toward the elevator. She looked at us and offered a small smile, but my mind was focused back in the direction she’d come from.

The double doors separating me from the woman I desperately wished to hold.

The urge to rush inside and beg her to forgive me was overwhelming. I needed to hold her, kiss her, love her. All things I would never have a chance to do now.

The thought sent a quake down my body. One that did not go unnoticed by Caleb.

“You want me to get you something to eat? Some coffee or anything?”

With one small shake of my head, I gazed blankly past Caleb. “No. I have some business to take care of.”

I strode past him, snatched my coat from one of the chairs, and stood in front of the elevators. I slipped it one and shoved my hands in the pockets searching for my keys.

“I’ll keep you posted if there’s any news,” Caleb said.

I could only nod. It took everything I had to walk away and when the steel doors of the elevator opened, I stepped inside with a sense of alarm hovering around me.

As I looked out at the waiting room, I frowned, realizing I knew every inch of it.

I forced my hand to reach out and press the button. I wouldn’t come back. Not unless she called for me. She needed time to sort through her feelings and focus on recovering. She only needed to heal right now.

Slowly the steel doors closed.

The sharp breath I inhaled ripped through me, forcing me to brace myself on the wall. I was really leaving. My mind constantly reminded me it was for her own good. It was only for a short time but it didn’t stop the tear that feel when the lift stopped and opened to the parking garage.

My house was quiet when I walked through the front door minutes before eight in the morning. Relieved I headed straight to my bedroom and shut the door.

It took all my strength to remain calm.

Slipping out of my clothes for the first time in two days, I took a hot shower, finally washing away the stench of New Year’s Eve.

Once I had pulled on a clean T-shirt and pajama pants, I sat on the end of the bed holding my phone in my hands.

The next few minutes I spent calling my assistant and canceling every business meeting for the next two weeks. I explained it may be longer and that the older woman, who had worked for me for over five years, should send out emails immediately to my clients.

Next, I called Lawrence, my older brother and explained that I would be unavailable to handle any business deals and to expect any calls to be routed to him.

“Julia called last night,” Lawrence replied. “I understand. Take all the time you need.”

I tried to smile, thankful I had the support of my family to help while I sorted out what I could do to help Cassandra.

“Thanks,” was all I could mutter before hanging up and climbing into bed.

“I’ll call the police!”

I woke with a start. Muffled yells from downstairs pulling me from my blissful dreams of Cassandra wrapped around my body. Our limbs tangled together in my bed. Her sweet, familiar giggle filling my room. It’s how the new year was supposed to begin. The start of our future together.

A dream, that’s all it was.

“You’ll never see him again, you skanky bitch!”

I flung myself out of bed, recognizing Julia’s voice and raced out of the room.

Skidding to a stop, I looked downstairs and found Julia standing toe-to-toe with a smirking Natasha.

“I want to see Logan, now!” Natasha hissed, staring Julia dead in the eyes. Her hand rested on her hip, and she tossed her long dark hair over her shoulder.

“Get the hell out or I swear to God I’ll throw you out!”

“Logan and I belong together. You can’t stand in the way, sister.” Natasha taunted.

“I’ll never be your sister. You think I’m just going to stand back while you hook your slutty claws back into my brother?”

“You don’t really have a choice in the matter. Now, if Logan isn’t here, then I want to see Oliver.”

“Wow, you actually remembered you have a son!” Julia feigned shock.

“Where is he?”

“Logan or Oliver? Which did you come back to see?”

“Both.”

“Yet, last night when you tried to stop by you never said a word about Oliver.”

“I…I wanted to speak with Logan first.”

“Bullshit. It doesn’t matter anyway. Oliver is with my mother and Jackson and don’t even think about trying to get his cell number. He hates you almost as much as I do. And Logan is—”

“Right here,” I replied irritated and still exhausted, walking down the stairs toward the two women staring up at me.

Julia grimaced and rolled her eyes while Natasha watched me with a smug grin.

“Leave us, Julia.” I told her, staring straight at Natasha. I never hated anyone more. How could I have ever loved such a manipulative woman.

When we had first met, we were both still so young. My financial situation was worth little compared to my accumulated wealth now, but I never thought that mattered to her. Not until she ran off with the first old-money bags to catch her attention.

Julia stomped out of the room, mumbling under her breath but not before shooting one last deadly glare back at Natasha.

I descended the last few steps, my hands kneading out the kink in my neck and walked past Natasha toward the kitchen.

I was relieved Oliver wasn’t home. I missed him but this would be hard to explain, he’s been hoping and praying one day his mother would return. Every wish he ever made was for that one thing. And now here she was. I poured a glass of orange juice, and stood resting my hip on the counter and waited for her to explain herself.

“You look good, Logan.” She licked her lips slowly, seductively and began approaching me. She was too easy to read and I was over it already.

I cocked my eyebrow at her brazen attempt to reel me in with sex and held up my hand to stop her.

“It’s been over four years and that’s what you have to say to me?”

“Well, I missed you. I forgot how delicious you were with messy bed head and sleepy eyes.”

“Cut the crap.” I slammed my glass on the counter. “Why are you here?”

“I told you already. I want my family back.”

“Why now? Your rich little boyfriends finally croak of old age?” I chuckled dryly shaking my head. “Or did they finally realize you’re not worth their time and money?” I shoved off the counter and stepped forward.

She smiled. “You don’t mean that, baby.”

“Yes. I do.” I stepped around her, glaring and sat at the kitchen table. Resting my hand against my pounding head, I sighed. “I’ve spent enough time hating you, Natasha, regretting I ever met you. But you gave me the best thing in my life, Oliver.”

“I want to see him,” she replied, quickly, moving to sit across from me.

“Not going to happen.” I scoffed. “He barely remembers you and the few memories he does have I won’t allow you to taint.”