My body freezes as I continue to read the message over and over again.
“Lex,” Charlotte calls softly. “You’ve turned white. What’s wrong?”
A coldness expands in my core, leaving me numb and without the ability to answer Charlotte. Then, I clear my throat, still staring at the text in disbelief.
“He’s dead.”
THREE
Present
The walls in my chest press against my lungs, making the simple act of breathing almost impossible.
Charlottes’ wide eyes panic at my silence, but as always, she gives me a moment to collect myself without pushing me into deeper shock.
“BJ,” I barely manage, my eyes falling to the floor. “Bentley James Woods.”
The sound of Charlotte's heavy sigh echoes in the kitchen. Death itself, is never right with its timing, always shocking us no matter who the person may be.
“What happened?”
“Heart attack,” I barely choke. “He passed away this morning.”
I reread the text message but this time out loud. It was sent from a former employee of mine who is quite close to Bentley back in London.
“Lex,” Charlotte’s voice softens as she places her hand on my arm. “He was so young.”
The reality is brutal with its force. It shines a light on my own mortality. Deep down, I know why this pain feels real, why it’s hitting hard at this moment.
I lower my head. “He was my age.”
Charlotte immediately shakes her head. “No, don’t do this.”
“If it can happen to a man like him, why can't it happen to a man like me?”
Suddenly, Charlotte grabs the front of my robe and pulls me into her. She buries her head into my chest while soft sobs escape her.
Death is not something we are strangers to. There have been loved ones from Charlotte’s mother to my own father.
And the one which rocked us the most—Elijah.
My arms wrap around Charlotte to comfort her and ease the worry I know she is feeling. Seconds, maybe even minutes, pass of just silence. Then, slowly, she pulls away, but I keep her close.
“When was the last time you spoke to him?”
I shrug, trying to do the math in my head, but it's all a blur. Our entrance into the business world is what brought us into each other’s lives and the only thing we had in common. At least, the only thing Ichooseto remember we had in common.
“I'm not sure, maybe a year ago.”
“Once we know when the funeral will take place, we must attend,” Charlotte insists while taking a deep breath, but I half-listen. “I forgot we have all the grandkids. Surely, it will be at least a week to prepare everything. The kids will be back by then, and we can go straight to London. Adriana can stay here to watch over Alexa. Maybe we should ask his family if they need help with anything?”
“He didn't have a family. An only child and his parents are long gone,” I inform her, shedding light on the facts. “Never married because he enjoyed the freedom to sleep around.”
“I can't imagine how sad that must be to not have family and to live life without someone you love …” Charlotte trails off.
I force a small smile, then bring her hand to my lips and place a gentle kiss.
“Let’s not imagine it,” I remind her softly. “We have everything we ever wanted.”