Bab 296: Chapter 296
Erik woke up and opened the curtains of his hotel. It was dark out and the city was lit up like Christmas.
He looked at his phone. "Shit." He said. It had been over a day since he talked to Pearl. He dialed her number. No answer. He looked at the clock. Shit. He thought. It was 3 am in London.
He got up and took a shower. The hot water felt good on his sore hands and arms.
He wanted to feel guilty about going to the club but he wasn't. Pearl hadn't touched him for over three months and when he tried to touch her, she jumped in fear. Plus, she was a mother now and his anger toward mothers, however muffled, was still there inside of him. Every time he punished a girl at the club, he envisioned Robbie's mom. And Pearl. And it felt good. Why was he such a mess? He hated himself and yet felt better after doing it again. Stronger, more alive.
He got dressed and headed to the hotel that Auggie agreed to meet him at.
"Hello, brother." He said, unbuttoning his jacket and sitting down.
"Erik, I don't want to keep doing this. I'm not coming home." He said.
"You know what's going to happen? Father is going to cut you off. No money, no title. Nothing. Is that what you want?" Erik asked.
"No. But it's what I need to do. I'm happy here. Why can't you leave me alone about it?" He asked.
"Because of what you know." Erik said, leaning forward and looking into Auggie's eyes.
"What are you going to do? Kill me? Make me disappear? Go ahead, BROTHER. I'm out. I don't want it. Any of it." Auggie said.
"Don't be ridiculous, I'm not going to hurt you. I am trying to help you." Erik said.
"Help me by leaving me alone." Auggie said.
"What do you know, brother? And why even try to find these things out?" Erik asked.
"I know what father did to Anna. What you helped him do. And why." Auggie said.
"How would you know something like that? How?" Erik demanded. "And you don't know. What she uncovered and threatened us with would have ruined us, our entire family. Your title, mine. Auggie, we aren't legitimate. Did you think about that for one second before you jumped ship? He did it for you. And for me." He said.
"It is not my fault that mother had a lover that insisted on being present for your birth. That father is sterile. And it wasn't Anna's either." He whispered to him.
"So you do know everything." Erik said, folding his hands.
"Probably not. I'm certain there are many layers to the corruption. But I know enough to know that I am content here, in the states. And if you and father don't let me be, I will go to the public. And if something happens to me or Maggie, or Pearl for that matter, I have secured a way for it to get out without me needing to do it. Back off, brother. I'm fine here. I'll take this secret to the grave as long as you leave me alone and let me live my life." Auggie said.
"Ok. I will leave you be, for now. I have to talk to father." Erik said. He stood up, buttoning his jacket.
"I love you, Auggie." He said.
Auggie looked at him with disgust. "Goodbye, Erik." He said.
****************
Jim arrived not long after Gail.
"How are you today, Pearl?" Gail asked.
"Still a mess but I'm going to be alright. It's just going to take some time." She said. "I have a lot to figure out."
"Indeed you do. Let's get this out of the way and we can move forward with what's next, ok?" Gail said.
"Ok." Pearl said.
"Is someone going to tell me what in the hell is going on?" Jim asked.
"Jim, come with me to the study. I have a cigar for you." Sebastian said. Jim nodded and they left Pearl with Gail.
"I feel so terrible. So guilty. I love Bash, as a person. But I don't think I'm capable of ever loving anyone again after Erik. And I don't know if I'll ever stop loving Erik or wanting to be with him. I've ruined everything." Pearl said.
"It's ok to love Bash for who he is and right now, he is your friend. And it sounds like a good one. Don't be ashamed to love him. That's healthy. But the guilt may take some time. I'd like to continue our talks. I've suggested you stay here, in Scotland. Bring your son. Clear your head." She said.
"But what do I do about Erik? He isn't going to go for that." She said.
"I am comfortable telling him about your postpartum depression and my clinical recommendations." Gail said. "Have him call me."
Pearl nodded and hugged her. "Thank you." She said.
"You will get through this." Gail said. "I will let you know the results. Usually takes a day or two."
Pearl walked inside and saw the study door closed. She was fine with that. She didn't want to rehash it all out again. She let Sebastian do it. She walked upstairs to her room and laid her head on the pillow, calling Frances. "How is he?" She asked.
"Well he's an absolute angel, didn't you know? Things are splendid here. Take your time dear. We will see you tomorrow." She said. Pearl thanked her and hung up, and sobbed until she fell asleep.
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