13

Lately the more time Chloe spent in Aidan’s company, the more her feelings became harder to ignore. The possessive look in his eyes and the way he’d caressed her cheek left her rattled—and at the same time, thrilled. The fact that she liked that he cared about her enough to want to protect her—scared her more than Jerry Hudson’s implied threats.

On her way home, the need for some sisterly advice led Chloe to Nick and Lily’s house.

Mrs. Smythe, the new nanny, met her at the front door. “Good evening, Miss Chloe. Come in.” The gray-haired woman in her lace-edged blouse and blue cardigan smiled.

While it felt odd to be invited into her family’s house by a stranger, Chloe could not discount the value Mrs. Smythe added to her sister’s home. Lily’s health had improved, as had Nick’s stress level, and the children adored her. Chloe had to admire the woman, who at triple her age, juggled all aspects of the Logan household without breaking a sweat.

“Thank you, Mrs. Smythe. Is Lily around?”

“She’s in the living room. Mr. Nick is out at a meeting, and I’m afraid the girls are in bed.”

Chloe followed her down the hallway.

“May I bring you a cup of tea?”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”

Lily looked up from her book as Chloe entered the room. “Chloe. What a nice surprise.”

Chloe bent to kiss her sister’s cheek. “Hope it’s OK to drop by. I didn’t feel like going home to an empty apartment.”

Lily’s shrewd eyes raked over her as Chloe dropped into one of the chairs near the fireplace. “Bad day?”

“You could say that.” Chloe sighed. “Do you ever get the feeling you’ve bitten off more than you can chew?”

Lily chuckled, rubbing her belly. “You’re kidding, right? Two babies and another on the way? Yeah, I can relate.”

“Somehow I’ve gone from a chef in New York to teaching cooking in high school, mentoring a wayward teen, and trying to open my own shop. All in the space of a few weeks.” And fighting an attraction I didn’t expect.

“Do you think you could be trying to escape—filling your life with so many things that you don’t have time to think about Richard?”

That’s exactly what she was doing. Although lately another man occupied more of her thoughts.

“Don’t you think it’s time you told me what happened?” Lily’s soft voice touched Chloe’s pain. “You know you can tell me anything. That’s what sisters are for.”

Bone-weary fatigue left Chloe without her usual defenses. Wasn’t this what she’d wished for growing up—a sister to share secrets with?

From the doorway, Mrs. Smythe cleared her throat. “Sorry to interrupt. I’ve brought your tea.”

Lily waved her in. “Thank you, Clarissa. Please leave it on the table.”

Mrs. Smythe set the tray down and left without a sound.

Chloe poured the tea into the delicate cups and handed one to Lily. The fire in the hearth bathed the area in a soothing glow. Everything about the room made Chloe feel safe. Maybe it was time. She needed to unburden her soul. Who better than her sister? She took a seat beside Lily on the couch.

“You seemed very much in love with Richard. So why did you break up?” Lily’s gentle tone calmed Chloe’s jagged nerves.

“I thought I loved him. At one point, I thought I couldn’t live without him.” She pushed aside memories of that dark place.

“He was a lot older than you, wasn’t he?”

“That’s what attracted me to him. He made me feel safe.” Her voice caught. “I think I was looking for security. After Mama died, I felt so alone.”

Lily’s eyes shone with sympathy. “Nick and I were so busy being new parents…we didn’t pay enough attention...”

“There wasn’t anything you could do with me living in New York.”

“So when the initial infatuation faded, you realized you weren’t in love?”

“I wish it were that simple.” Nick obviously hadn’t told Lily that Richard was married. Chloe inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “The truth is…Richard is married.”

Lily’s cup rattled in her saucer. “Oh, Chloe, no. He lied to you?”

How easy it would be to let Richard shoulder the entire blame. But it was time for her to take responsibility for her part in their sin.

She steeled herself for Lily’s disappointment. “At first, yes. When I found out he was married, he swore he intended to leave his wife. He begged for more time. Said he couldn’t live without me. I chose to believe he would leave when the time was right, and…I forgave him.” She paused, the worst part still to come. “I continued the affair for months after I knew.” Chloe dropped her face into her hands. “I don’t think he ever intended to leave her.” How clearly she could see his deception now. Why couldn’t she see it then?

A warm arm came around her shoulders. “I’m so sorry, honey.”

Chloe raised her eyes, blurred with moisture. “Don’t you see? I’m just as guilty as Richard because I didn’t end things. I went on in full knowledge of what I was doing to his wife and their children. What kind of person is willing to sacrifice a family’s happiness for her own?” Tears spilled down her cheeks.

Lily dabbed a napkin to Chloe’s face. “A very confused and lonely girl.”

Chloe shook her head. “That’s no excuse. Mama would be so ashamed of me. And Nick…” Her throat clogged with grief, imagining his disappointment in her.

“Shh. Let’s not worry about Nick right now.”

Chloe leaned against Lily’s shoulder, drawing comfort from the warm solace she offered.

“What finally made you come home?”

Chloe straightened and wiped her face. Chills swept through her as she recalled that last horrible night. “Richard’s wife found out about us. And she tried to kill me.”