“He’s asleep,” William said from the chair beside his father. “Mrs. Fredrich has increased his pain relief under the instruction of the doctor, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. We’re hoping you can help.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to make him feel at peace, but I assure you, hearing your voices is all he needs right now.”
William’s eyes met mine for the first time and softened. “I know we haven’t been very accepting of your position here, and I want to apologize. You have given us more time, and we’re very grateful.”
I gazed over at Caroline, who was nodding in agreement while dabbing the corner of her eyes with a tissue.
“I wasn’t here when my mother passed,” he continued, staring down at his sleeping father. “I was too busy building an empire to take my father’s calls.” His voice broke. “I don’t want that for Dad.”
“Oh, darling.” Caroline wrapped her arm around William’s shoulders “You never told me.”
“I hated myself for it,” he muttered angrily. “I threw myself deeper into work, then expected my sons to follow. It wasn’t fair to them. I see that now, and after the long talk I had with Dad yesterday, I know I have a lot of work to do to repair things.”
I was surprised by his genuine remorse. “Relationships are complicated.Loveis complicated. We are all entitled to make mistakes. It’s how we choose to fix them that matters.”
“Do you love our son?”
My breath caught. “I…um…it’s…well…”Fuck.
William’s brow rose. “Complicated?”
“Very.” I ignored the enduring ache in my chest. I had to remain professional here. “Why don’t you two go for a walk outside and get some fresh air? I’ll sit with Liam in case he wakes.”
William nodded. “That’s a good idea.” He took Caroline’s hand as he rose. “We’ll be back shortly.”
Once they’d gone, I wrapped my fingers around Liam’s hand and closed my eyes. William was right, the pain medication wasn’t nearly enough.
“Betty?” His hollowing eyes barely opened.
“No, Liam. It’s Cassidy.”
“Oh, Cassidy.” His hand twitched. “You’re back.”
“I could never stay away from you for long.” The Harlow men clearly had that effect on me.
“My grandson didn’t come back, did he?”
I swallowed the growing lump in my throat. “He needed to wrap up a few things first, but I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
His raspy laughter turned into a cough. “You don’t need to cover for him, dear.”
“I pleaded for him to come back,” I said as fresh tears arose, “but he just…”
“Closed himself off?”
I nodded. “Completely.”
“I’m not surprised.” He sighed. “Adam grew up in a home where emotion was treated as a flaw. Harlow Manor is where he has always felt unconditional love, and I dare say, he’s terrified of losing that.”
“But he has Grayson…and Josie…”
“And they have their own family now.”
My eyebrows pulled together. “And Adam wants that?”
“I don’t think Adam had a clue what he wanted…until you came along.”
Frustration simmered under my skin. “Then, why is he so hot and cold?”