In light of everything going on in our lives, I’d forgotten about her altogether.
But now the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.
She was here to see Titan—again. What did she want this time? “Send her in, Jessica.” I could send Bridget away and say Titan was out for the afternoon, but that sounded like a recipe for disaster.
I wanted to know what this woman wanted.
And I wanted to make sure she knew she couldn’t fuck with Titan.
Bridget walked in a moment later, wearing a black dress with pearls around her neck. Her brown hair was pinned back in an elegant updo. Her nails were perfectly manicured, and she didn’t look like a woman who needed money. She had such a startling resemblance to Titan that it baffled me the media hadn’t seized upon this information. She didn’t hide her disappointment when she saw me instead of Titan. “Mr. Cutler?”
“Hello, Mrs. Creed. How can I help you?” I rose to my feet and slid my hands into my pockets. I didn’t want to seem threatening because this woman didn’t appear to be dangerous, but I couldn’t lower my guard. Since her motives were hidden from me, it was extremely unnerving. If I knew what she wanted, sinister or not, I’d be able to understand her.
But I didn’t understand her at all.
She slowly walked farther into the room, a large wedding ring on her finger. The diamond was big and clear, an expensive piece of jewelry. Judging by the ring and the nice clothes she wore, she didn’t seem like someone who needed money. But then again, maybe she’d had it but pissed it all away. “I came by to speak to Titan. Is she available?”
I held her gaze without blinking, confused by the innocence in her features. Last time, she seemed genuinely concerned about Titan. But now that she was there again, it seemed like she wanted something else. “No.”
She stopped behind the two chairs that faced the desk, keeping the furniture between us.
“As you know, she’s well again. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing inside this office right now.”
She didn’t deny it, keeping her green eyes on me. Her features were so similar to Titan’s that I felt like I was looking at my friend in a time machine. “If she’s well again, why hasn’t she returned?”
“She has. She had an appointment this afternoon.” I kept the desk between us instead of walking around to shake her hand. Without understanding her purpose, I wouldn’t show her any politeness. “But I suggest you stop dropping by like this. You have no purpose here.”
Her eyes narrowed just the way Titan’s did.
“Yes, I know who you are.”
She inhaled sharply, taking my words like a knife to the heart. She looked away, her eyes instantly moist. Her strong posture immediately slouched, and her shoulders rolled forward. Like a boulder had landed on top of her, she seemed to be pushed toward the earth. “You do?”
“I suspected it the first time I looked at you. Same eyes…same hair…same everything.”
“That’s not enough evidence.”
“No. But a PI is.”
She dropped her gaze. “Does she know…?”
Should I divulge that information? I could lie and say Titan didn’t want to see her, but that felt morally wrong. Titan said she wanted nothing to do with her, but if she were face-to-face with her mother, she might change her mind. “No.”
“Why haven’t told you her?”
“We told her we think you’re her mother, but Titan said she didn’t care whether you were or not. It doesn’t make a difference to her.”
She took another deep breath, the features on her face tightening from the blow. “Of course she hates me…how could I expect her not to?” As if she was feeling off-balance, she moved to the chair facing the desk and lowered herself onto the cushion. Her chin dipped to the floor in weakness, and her hands came together for strength.
I didn’t lower myself into the chair, choosing to stand over her. I watched every movement she made and tried to understand if this display was sincere.
“I thought if I told her in person…maybe she would have some compassion.”
“She doesn’t hate you, Bridget.”
She slowly looked up and met my gaze. Her eyes were wet, but the tears didn’t form. “She doesn’t…?”
“No. She understands you had to abandon her because you weren’t ready to be a mom. Since you didn’t want to stay, she thinks it’s better that you walked away. You would have done her a disservice by forcing yourself to do something you didn’t want to do. So, she doesn’t hate you. But since you did abandon her, she doesn’t want you in her life either. You made your choice, and you have to stick with it. You can’t have it both ways.”
“I…I understand why she feels that way. She’s such a brilliant woman…so logical.”
I finally lowered myself into the chair and watched her.
“I know she doesn’t need me. I know she doesn’t need anyone. But when I saw the news…” She gripped her chest, and that’s when the tears started to well up. “I’ve never felt so scared in my life. I’ve never been so angry. Knowing your child is suffering…is the worst feeling in the world.”
“But she’s not your child, Bridget. You gave up that right twenty-five years ago.”
She wiped her tears away with her fingertips. “Maybe…but I’ll always see her as my daughter.”
“When did you realize who she was?”
“Years ago. She did an interview with a fashion magazine. I saw her on the cover…and I knew.”
“So you know she’s the richest woman in the world?”
Her eyes burned with hostility. “Yes. But I don’t want her money, Mr. Cutler. I guess I have to make that clear…”
“It’s an odd coincidence,” I said coldly. “She almost dies, and you wonder if you’re the next of kin…”
Her eyes narrowed further. “I don’t expect you to believe me, but no, that’s not why I came into this
