Chapter 30

Shiloh’s POV:

After speaking with Sam, my mind has been in overdrive. I am constantly nagging myself over my decision to lock away every thought that has to do with my family or Chance.

Right now, my focus is on Wilmer playing in his baby crib while I sit on the couch watching him and listening to Emma as she explains to me what going on in her life. As for Chole, she left to have fun with her family and friends.

"Shiloh, I can't believe Damien’s complacent attitude towards this matter," she says sounding frustrated.

"I thought you already discussed that you won’t be around when he leaves for Italy because of your fashion gig in London," I say while wiping Wilmer's mouth since he keeps drooling.

"Yeah, we talked about it, but he’s been acting like a jerk these last few days. He keeps making these silly jokes about me being an uncaring girlfriend," she says with a frown on her face.

"As you said, maybe it’s just a silly joke to him. You have to tell him how you feel about them."

"Yeah, you’re right. Maybe I’m just being paranoid since he’s leaving in a month and you—"

"Emma, I told you this before. Don't think about it too much. Just enjoy your time with him and don't forget you can always visit him in Italy," I say with a smile trying to lighten up the mood.

"I will do just that, but my mum keeps talking about how she wants me to do one year in the international fashion business in Spain after graduating. Then I can take help run the company," she says, sounding melancholy.

I sigh knowing the reason behind Emma’s mood. "And this is bad because you feel capable and smart enough to work beside your mum," I say shaking my head in amusement.

Wilmer stirs and whimpers while flailing his arms to try and get my attention. I stand beside the crib caressing his forehead and trying to calm him down.

"Is he alright?" Emma asks.

"Yeah, he’s just crying because he feels uncomfortable with the baby blanket on him," I explain, removing the blanket and caressing his forehead to stop his whimper.

After making sure he's okay, I take a seat on the couch. “As I was saying, your mum wants you to go to Spain but that doesn't mean she doubts your capability. She just wants you to gain new experiences and have a new adventure before helping with the company."

Before she can reply, the doorbell rings.

"Let me get the door," I say. I open the door. "Louis Conner, I thought we made a deal that you won't crash my house unless it’s a matter of life or death," I say seriously with a raised eyebrow.

"This is a matter of life and death." He walks towards the crib, ignoring my intense stare as I cross my arms over my chest.

"So how serious is it?" Emma says mockingly while I take a seat opposite her on the sofa.

"Emma, you’re here. I actually didn't notice you over there until you decided to speak," Louis says with a smirk. "So, how is my godson doing?" he says, cooing and playing with Wilmer.

Here we go again. These two are either at each other's necks or being super close.

"To answer your questions," he says taking a seat beside me and placing his arm across my shoulder. "I can't stay in that boring house with Damien throwing tantrums about his love life and Chance who seems to love his office more than his comfortable bed," he says sadly while his eyes dance with amusement. "But to be honest it’s a little amusing."

I shake my head. Typical Louis. "Enough with that. I have a three-week leave from the company—"

"How can it be called a leave when you are not even doing anything yet?" Emma asks while staring at him as if she just discovered he had a nose.

"I am taking this three-week leave before starting fully at the company because I deserve it after helping from home."

"Don't you think it's time you get a life?" Emma says in a serious manner.

"Don't you think it's time you should try fixing yours?" Louis retorts.

"At least I have a life to fix. Unlike you who decides to take a leave before even getting into the company," she says, shaking her head with an audible sigh.

My phone rings. When I see Damien’s name flash on the screen, I answer. "Hello?"

"Hi, Shiloh. Is Emma at your place?" he asks.

"Why?" I ask not wanting to give him a direct yes in case Emma doesn't want him to know she’s here.

"I have been trying to get a hold of her, but she keeps letting my call go to voicemail. I am just worried she might be avoiding me since I have not really been the nicest guy lately," he says softly.

"Maybe she’s just busy. Don't panic, okay? I’ll try speaking to her."

"Okay thanks," he says and hangs up.

I place the phone on the table and glance at Emma. "So, tell me why you have been sending Damien’s calls to voicemail?" I ask.

She shrugs. "He called three times and I was too angry to pick up."

Without saying a word, I walk to her bag and search for her phone. I tap it and it flashes with notifications. "Emma, 30 missed calls, 7 voicemails, and 5 messages," I say accusingly.

"I might have pu—" She pauses when she sees my stern face. "I will give him a call right away," she says before taking her phone away from me and walking into the kitchen.

Sighing softly, I walk towards the crib to find Wilmer sleeping with his signature pout. I place the blanket on him and turn towards Louis. He’s busy setting up a video game.

I sit cross-legged beside Louis on the floor in front of the TV. "Now I know the reason behind you setting up this video game." I grab the remote he hands me.

"I knew you would be pretty bored without this here."

"Or more like a way to help me improve my skills and then I can beat you one of these days," I say with pride.

"Dream on. Do you have something to eat because I am starving," he says placing his hand on his belly.

I laugh loudly. "Yeah, I have some food in the fridge."

I click start without waiting for him to do the same. "What are you doing?"

"Playing," I say, focusing my attention on the game.

"What about the food?" he asks sounding truly confused.

"You have legs. Get it yourself."

He huffs before walking into the kitchen while Emma takes a seat beside me with a wide grin on her face.

"Let me guess. Damien is on his way here," I tease with a smirk.

Louis sighs loudly as he places a plate in the microwave. "Finally, they’re back together. That means she will start being nice to me again," he says wiping his hand with a napkin.

Emma scoffs, trying to hide her smile. "In your dreams, Louis. And for the record, Damien and I never broke up, and we never will," she says, flipping her hair over her shoulder with her chin raised high. We laugh loudly.

We play some video games, and when Damien arrives, he joins in the fun. I won too! …Okay, I won only once, but it’s not my fault the boys are so good.

***

Chance’s POV:

I flip through some documents on my table while typing on the laptop. The past few weeks have been exactly the same. I keep my thoughts busy with work. Every day I leave the house early for work and then leave late.

Even though I work with Dad every day, I am still angry with him for his deceit and wrongdoing.

I run my hand through my hair clearing such thoughts away and focus on my work when there’s a light knock on the door. I tell the person to come in without lifting my eyes from the laptop.

"Sir, someone here for you," my assistant Tessa says. Before I can get info about this person, I hear a familiar voice.

"How nice to finally see the famous Chance Cristian."

I glance back at the laptop and continue with my work. "You can leave, Tessa."

I should not be surprised to see her here. After all, today is the day I should be standing at the altar waiting for her. But here I am, working on a company project and a few hours from now I will be leaving for a meeting.

Thank goodness I didn't make a terrible mistake like that.

"Samantha, what business brings you here?" I inquire, resting my back against the chair and studying her every move as she takes a seat.

"That’s not the right thing to say to the bride you left waiting at the altar," she says accusingly.

"Get to the point. I have pending work." I really don't get why she is here after I made it clear the pact between us was over.

"I can see that. I had a little discussion with Shiloh today," she says, analyzing my reaction.

"Why did you…you have to go—" She cut me off.

"Relax, I didn't cause trouble. I only went there to tell her the honest truth."

"What honest truth?" I ask resting my elbows on the table.

"The honest truth she deserves to know," she says calmly even as she’s glaring at me.

I clutch my hands together. "I don't need your help telling her the truth. I was planning on telling her at the right time, which is not now."

"So, when would that time be? Will it be when she finally stops loving you?" she says angrily.

"I was only giving her the space and time she needs." I run my hand through my hair before standing.

"Time?" she scoffs. "More like you’re being a coward."

I turn her chair around and place my hands on the table behind her, caging her between my body and the desk.

"Sam, you should have come to me first. You know nothing about Shiloh. I wonder how she took the information about all this being a lie." I pull away from her, tugging my hair harshly.

"Chance, you should be thanking me for not putting all the blame on you." She stands and points an accusing finger at me. "Shiloh is stronger than you think. She took the information better than I expected and I sure as hell don't regret my decision."

I stare at her for a few minutes before speaking calmly. "Sam, you don't understand. You just put her in a dilemma."

She sighs, sitting back down. "Okay, I am sorry. I should have come to you first, but I felt guilty knowing I wronged her. I deprived her of her love and happiness," she says wistfully.

"No, I should be blamed for this because this started with my father. It’s not your guilt to bear but mine," I say, taking a seat beside her.

She looks weak and dejected. The opposite of the Sam I’ve known for so long.

Her blonde hair rests on her shoulders and her eyes look puffy from crying. I know am the one to be blamed for all this. My decisions didn't only break Shiloh, but also Sam.

I was selfish. Even though Sam agreed to all this, I didn’t care about her feelings and the sacrifice she made by agreeing to a loveless marriage just for her dad's sake. I am very self-centered.

"I am sorry for being a horrible person to you," I apologize sincerely. "You don't deserve my dislike towards you, so I am very sorry."

She gives me a warm smile. "I can't believe the arrogant asshole is apologizing to me."

"Don't make me take it back."

"It’s okay. I forgive you."

I smile back in reply.

We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes lost in our thoughts before Sam decides to speak. "I am leaving tomorrow. I hope we can remain friends."

"I have no choice but to be your friend. If I refuse you will fight me into becoming your friend," I tease, making us both laugh.

She pulls a napkin from her bag to wipe her tears before standing to leave. "I need you to stop working so hard. Instead, focus on fixing things with Shiloh. At the very least for your son's sake."

I nod and pull her into a hug.

"Thanks," I whisper in her ear.

She pats my back encouragingly before letting go with a smile. "And one more thing. I need to see you at the airport at 9:00 in the morning tomorrow before I leave."

I reply with a yes ma’am and watch her walk towards the door. Just as she pulls the door open, I call her.

"Yes?" She turns my way with a raised eyebrow.

"Sam, will you be okay?" I don't know why I’m asking but I feel the need to.

She smiles sadly. "Yeah, I have to be," she says shutting the door behind her.

I stare at the closed door before sitting in my office chair and turning towards the glass window. I watch the cars move in different directions and people shuffle down the street.

I see Sam as she walks to her car, gets in, and drives off.

Sam did help me by speaking with Shiloh, but I know Shiloh still needs to hear the truth from me.

I can't sit here watching the time pass before my eyes without doing anything to fix my wrongs. Maybe it is time I make my move to get Shiloh and my son back rather than waiting for the perfect time.

The phone on the table rings, interrupting my thoughts.

I pick up the call. "Sir, everything is set for the meeting."

I grab my documents and walk out of the office to the conference room.

"Tessa, join me in the conference room," I say passing her desk as I make my way to the meeting.

I just hope everything falls in place from now on.