Chapter 8

{Robert POV}

Clatter.

The phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor with a loud thud.

I stood frozen. My mind went blank. I couldn't react.

Nancy walked over kindly. "Mr. Hamilton, you look terrible. Should you sit down?"

I collapsed onto the couch. I looked up at Nancy, my voice tight. "She burned the wedding dress. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Nancy looked innocent. "I tried to tell you. But every time I mentioned Ms. York, you got impatient and said, 'Don't talk to me about her.' I never got the chance."

She even mimicked the tone I'd used.

My face darkened. She was right. I had said that.

Nancy added another comment. It stabbed into me like a needle. "Ms. York left her house key too. It's on the entryway table. You walk past it every day. Didn't you notice?"

I rushed over.

Sure enough, her key sat there quietly. The metal gleamed coldly.

She'd even left her key.

Was she really planning never to come back?

In that moment, the panic inside me completely drowned out my rationality.

Nancy handed me my phone. "Why don't you try calling Ms. York again?"

I took the phone and rushed outside while dialing Diana's mother, Lauren.

Lauren answered quickly. Her tone was unusually calm. "Robert, what's wrong?"

I froze.

A mother who'd just learned her daughter canceled the wedding and burned her dress shouldn't sound this calm.

I asked carefully, "Mom, Diana didn't come to your place, did she?"

Lauren said, "No. What happened? Did you two fight?" Her tone immediately grew anxious.

I quickly covered. "No, no. We didn't fight. I've just been so busy with work lately, I've been neglecting her. She's upset with me, that's all. Don't worry. I'm going to bring her home right now."

Lauren's tone turned cold instantly. "Robert, I know my daughter. She has a temper, but she's never unreasonable. Did you hurt her?"

"No, she and I—"

I tried to explain. Lauren hung up.

I didn't call back.

I sat in the car, my brow furrowed, my mood unbearably restless.

Diana hadn't gone to her mother's. Where else would she go?

I immediately called Tom, my tone forceful. "I don't care how you do it. Find out where Diana is right now."

"Ms. York is staying at Hotel Prime, room 1707. She always stays there for a few days when she's upset. Don't you remember?"

I'd forgotten.

That room overlooked a quiet lake. Diana always said staying there helped her relax.

When she'd been upset before, I'd gone there more than once to bring her home.

She was still staying there. She was definitely waiting for me to come and make up with her.

Burning the dress, canceling the photo shoot, blocking me—it was all just her way of acting out.

I immediately relaxed and prepared to go find her.

Then Cleo walked over.

She was a project manager. Very young. A recent college graduate. She wore a tailored light pink business suit. Her long hair hung loose and smooth. She held two folders. She looked like an innocent college student.

She blinked her doe eyes and asked timidly, "Robert, are you going out?"

My tone softened. "Yeah. What's up? Get in. We'll talk in the car."

Cleo smiled shyly and opened the passenger door.

"Are you going to see Ms. York? Should I come with you? I can help explain things. I can apologize to her."

"No need. If she sees you, she'll just take her anger out on you again."

Cleo shook her head quickly. Her voice was soft and understanding. "I don't mind. You've been so good to me. I'm already grateful. I don't need anything else. I'm happy just being near you."

My heart softened. I couldn't resist her gentle, selfless demeanor.

I agreed.

But when we arrived at Hotel Prime, I didn't find Diana.

She wasn't at the hotel.

Cleo said softly, "Robert, don't worry too much. Ms. York probably just went out. Besides, I think she's staying here because she's waiting for you to bring her home. If you talk to her properly, she'll definitely forgive you. How about I go with you to pick out a gift for her?"

I sighed, my tone tinged with irritation I didn't try to hide. "If only she were a tenth as kind and understanding as you… Have you eaten? Let me take you to lunch."

"I already ate. But I heard you're going to a charity auction today. I've never been to something like that. I've only seen them on TV. Can I come with you?"

She looked cautious, innocent, curious. Like she'd never seen the world.

I didn't hesitate. "Sure."

"Yay! Robert, you're the best!"

Her open joy was infectious. It eased some of my frustration. I started the car and drove off.

I had no idea Diana was heading to the same auction.

{Diana POV}

I picked Bella up from the airport first. Then we headed to the charity auction together.

On the way, Lauren called.

I patiently reassured her for a long time before she finally relaxed and believed I was okay.

Bella listened to our conversation and laughed. "If someone didn't know better, they'd think you were the mom and Mrs. York was the daughter. You're always going out of your way to make her happy."

"My mom worked so hard raising me. Of course I want her to be happy every day."

I leaned lazily against the car window, watching the scenery fly by. My mood was flat. I couldn't muster any enthusiasm.

"Don't be so down. I heard the items up for auction today are really impressive. If you like something, bid on it. I'll buy it for you."

I laughed. "All right. Thanks in advance."

Bella sounded generous. "What's the big deal? I'll take care of you from now on!"

While we talked, the car pulled into the private underground garage of the auction venue.

After the car stopped, we didn't get out right away.

Bella pulled out her makeup bag to touch up.

Suddenly, she looked sharply toward the opposite lane. "Diana, look. Isn't that Robert?"

I glanced over.

It was definitely him.

Robert had his hands on the steering wheel. Cleo sat in the passenger seat.

Cleo saw me too.

The moment our eyes met, she dropped all pretense of shyness. She gave me a blatant, triumphant smile.

Then she reached over, wrapped her arms around Robert's neck, and kissed him.