Chapter 4
Audrey sat on the back steps of her parents' house, listening to their muffled argument inside. It didn't happen often, so the raised voices were disheartening. She knew her mother was struggling because Anya was in the hospital. Ironic, Audrey thought, that it was her father, Harrison, who did all the crying, while her mother, Clara, held her emotions locked up. Audrey hadn't seen her shed a single tear since the news.
Clara Reed emerged, placing a lock on Audrey's last traveling bag. "Your bags are ready, darling."
"This isn't necessary, Mother," Audrey tried to argue, knowing the fight was already lost.
"Now, you know I'm already in a bad mood, so don't make it worse for either of us," Clara said sternly.
Clara had already planned and booked a honeymoon reservation in Paris.
Apparently, it would make the wedding look "more believable and practical."
Audrey doubted Kellan would go through with it; he would probably fly back the next day. It had been a week since the wedding. They had gone to the hotel in separate cars and hadn't exchanged a single word since.
"I know you both don't have anything to say to each other. It's normal," Clara continued, adjusting Audrey's jacket. "I'm not asking you to make conversations with your sister's husband, but I think you both need this time together to understand this whole thing. Maybe set out ways you can help each other. Remember, this is just temporary, darling. Before you know it, she'll be back."
"Yes, Mother," Audrey replied flatly.
"If it would make you feel any better, I made sure to reserve your favorite hotel in Paris."
"You mean Mrs. Eleanor made the reservations," Audrey said, looking down as she rolled her eyes.
"I made the reservations, Audrey," she replied, the sweetness in her voice vanishing in an instant.
Audrey rolled her eyes again. She didn't bother responding. Instead, she looked away and picked up the nearest travel bag.
"It's just for a week. Before you know it, you'll be back home," her mother said.
Audrey merely nodded, stepping away. Elias, the driver, rushed over immediately to take the luggage. "Thank you," Audrey mouthed.
"Of course, Madam Audrey," Elias replied, putting the bags in the trunk.
She looked back and saw her father standing at the entrance. He gave a small wave and went back inside. Audrey waved back, the tears resurfacing. She entered the car, and they zoomed off toward the airport.
Kellan's mother had called to assure Audrey that he would be meeting her at the hotel. In other words, Audrey would be flying alone.
It was first class, of course. Everything involved with the Vance family was always first class. The Reeds were well-to-do, but comparing their wealth to the Vances was insulting the Vance family.
After various check-ins and travel processes, Audrey arrived at their destination. A guy named Leonardo, sent by the Vance family, helped her settle in. He handled the hotel registration and led her up to their suite.
The suite was breathtaking. It was clearly designed for a honeymoon, opulent yet romantic. The large windows offered a breathtaking view, perhaps of the Eiffel Tower. Audrey wondered about the astronomical cost.
She sat on one of the wooden stools as hotel attendants brought in her bags. After a couple of minutes, they were done. The silence returned, a familiar companion. She picked up her phone and stared at it, calling her sister's number, hoping for a response. She didn't get one. Of course, she didn't, Audrey thought, putting the phone down.
—-
"Audrey is settled in, Kellan," Kellan's mother Eleanor, told him over the phone.
"Alright, Mother," Kellan replied, dealing with paperwork on his desk at home.
"Kellan?" his mother prompted gently.
"Mother?"
"It's only temporary, dear," she said, her voice faint.
He didn't respond. "I have work to do, Mother. I'll call you when I'm on my way to meet her." He hung up almost immediately.
He was already aware Audrey was settled in. He always received information first. He was also the first person to hear about Anya's car accident—the only time he wished he didn't have the ability to hear.
He picked up the files beside him titled Code of Conduct. He was due to resume his role at the office in a week, and there was a lot to prepare for the business handover. His father had always called leadership a great privilege, and Kellan found that focusing on the business was the only thing keeping him sane while Anya was in the hospital.
He sighed and checked the time. He picked up his phone and made a call. "Chris, please book my flight to Paris."
"Yes, sir."
Kellan arrived the next day. Audrey had spent the entire night scared and alone, managing maybe thirty minutes of sleep for every three hours.
They were staying in the same suite as all other suitable suites were occupied. Luckily, it was a two-bedroom suite, which was compatible for both of them.
—
"Oh my goodness, Kellan, I didn't know you'd arrived!" Audrey said, clutching her heart as she came out to the living room.
"I just got here," he replied. "Where were you?" he asked, not meeting her eyes.
"In my room... This is really a lot. I know you covered all of this with your money and..."
"It's fine," he cut her off, his tone dismissive.
"Have they given you food?" he asked.
"They did, but I'm not hungry," she said, rubbing her eyes.
"You should eat."
"I'm fine," she replied, her tone turning slightly dismissive.
He didn't say anything after that.
"I'll be in my room," Audrey said a little softer this time, turning and quickly retreating.
Kellan watched her go. He walked into his room and looked around. This wasn't his first time here; he had celebrated Anya's twenty-fifth birthday in Paris. He planned to leave in two days. He had only come for a business meeting and to fulfill his mother's wish for the sake of appearances. He felt profoundly guilty that he wasn't by Anya's side, but he couldn't bear to see her that way.