Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele
Heart 31

Chapter 31 (Cordelia]

I've been stuck on the phone with my mother for the last hour listening to her unending rant about her" situation. She is speaking so rapidly and with so much force I haven't had a chance to say more than two words.

I am exhausted from the day before, sore from the accident and my experiences in jail, and listening to her jabber is taking the last bit of energy I have remaining.

"...And now our lawyer is saying there is no way out of this without at least one of us going to prison!" She starts to moan and weep. I pull the phone away from my ear. "I'm sorry, Sweetie, but it looks like you might have to spend some time in jail."

I startle at her implication. She doesn't know what I know, so I try to feel gracious as she explains how she'll let me take the fall for everything in order to save the company. She then spends the next ten minutes wailing about our f 'y's misfortune- one daughter missing and the other daughter in prison.

I am glad she cannot see me roll my eyes.

I wait for her to calm down before I tell her that Atlas' attorney has a plan that will help all of them. "I was on the phone with him last night, Mother. He is in the process of arranging a plea deal with the court. You just need to admit your guilt, and if Atlas agrees not to press c The phone goes completely silent. I hear my mother take a deep, shuddering breath.

"Not a problem!" She perks up, her whole attitude changing. You would never know that just a moment before she was weeping into the as if she had not. "I knew Atlas would protect you. He'd never let us go to jail." "I never said that..."

"You just keep sweet-talking him and maybe he'll take you back and..."

"Mother," My voice crisp, I make sure to say very clearly so there is no misunderstanding. "I am not getting back together with Atlas to keep you out of prison."

""Now Cordelia..."

"No." I hang up. I'm done.

My stomach grumbles. I am hungry for the first time in days and it seems like I cannot stop eating. Taking a bite of my third breakfast of the morning, I hear a gentle knock on the door.

Jude is waiting on the other end. Hesitantly, he takes a step forward, his remorseful eyes sweeping down my body from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. "How are you feeling? I'm sorry, I didn't come over sooner but..." "I'm fine." Not wanting any secrets between us I announce. "Atlas sent his attorney to get me released from jail. I came home last night."

His shoulders relax down his back as he takes a breath and steps forward, clasping my hands in his. "I'm so happy to see that you are safe." He holds my hands to his chest. "I wasn't sure if you'd be lost forever...I

1/2

Chapter 31

+25 BONUS

Pulling him into a hug, I take comfort in his masculine smell and strong arms. "Thank you for being here for me today," I kiss his cheek as we separate. "I needed to see a friendly face." "Where's Tilly?" he looks around. "Did she leave you here all alone?"

I explain that Tilly is gone for the morning and possibly the whole afternoon. At that news, his eyes brighten. "So that means you are free to come to my place and hang out, maybe see my lab...?"

He has been trying for days to get me into his lab. "Sure," I laugh. "That sounds great."

Jude is slow and careful as we walk next door. There is a joyful bounce to his steps as he helps me down my stairs and then up his stairs as we enter his apartment.

His apartment is spartan, very sparsely furnished with a couch, coffee table, and little else. He helps me sit down and I watch as he putters around his kitchen, humming as he makes us a pot of afternoon tea and finger food. Seeing him behaving in such a domestic manner makes my chest feel warm. I wonder what kind of father he would be.

He sets the food and drinks in front of us. The tea smells delightful and the little cookies and sandwiches on the plate make my stomach gurgle in delight. "Thank you!" I barely manage to mumble before taking a bite of everything. I take a drink of the tea. It is a black tea, and I am so tired that I am grateful for the caffeine.

Unfortunately, the baby has other plans and about two sips later I replace myself holding my hand in front of my mouth in an attempt to keep everything down.

"I am sorry, which way is your bathroom," I beg, noticing that the layout of his apartment is vastly different from my own.

"Are you okay?" he seems genuinely concerned as I stand. "Do you have any allergies or..."

"No, I just....haven't had a strong stomach lately." I apologize. "Do you think I can maybe have some herbal tea? I think maybe this tea is a bit too strong."

He nods. "I'll put on a new pot. Oh, and the bathroom is around the corner and to your right.

Hurrying down the hall, I take a sharp left turn and hit my nose against a wall with a bookshelf.

A wall that is slightly open.

VictoryAnne Vice

Author

What do you think? Should she see what is waiting on the other side...?