Breakaway - A Contemporary Romance Drama Story (15 page)

"I can't," Kate said. "I'm sorry, but I can't."

"Why can't you?" Nathan wanted to know.

Reluctantly, Kate moved out of his arms. "I know we've always been open with each other, but there are some things I can't share with you." A tear escaped and slid down her cheek. "Promise me you won't confront Edward."

"I won't promise you that," Nathan said.

"If you care for me," Kate said. "If you have ever cared for me, you won't confront him."

Mr. Holden's words came back to haunt Nathan.
Let Kate handle this. You will only make things worse if you confront Edward.
"I won't confront him."

"Thank you," Kate said relieved.

"I have questions, Katie." Nathan walked to the door. He paused in the doorway and glanced back at Kate. "Sooner or later you will answer them."

Chapter 1
2

Nathan was relieved when the last patient of the day was gone, and he could escape to his office. He locked the door behind him, shut the blinds, took off his doctor's coat and lay down on the sofa. Closing his eyes, he sighed heavily and willed his body to relax. As he lay there he thought about Kate, the kiss they shared, the words they had spoken. He wished he could turn back the hands of time and be more supportive, more compassionate. Kate needed him and he had let her down. Angry with himself, he unhooked his cell phone from his belt and dialed Jill's cell number. She answered on the fifth ring.

"Hello?"

"Jill," Nathan said. "I need to talk to you."

"All right," Jill said. "I'll see you in a minute."

"You're in the building?" Nathan asked.

"Yes," Jill answered. "I'm getting out of the elevator as we speak."

Nathan ended the call and got to his feet. He crossed the office and unlocked the door. Opening it, he stepped into the corridor and saw Jill approaching. "I'm glad you're here. I need your advice. By the way, why are you here?"

"Do I need a reason to visit my big brother?"

"Of course you don't need a reason to come see me." Nathan bent down and kissed Jill's forehead.

"Good," Jill said. "Matt wants to know when you're going to come over and see him."

"I'll drop by tomorrow," Nathan said.

"Come for lunch," Jill said, moving past him and into the room.

"I will." Nathan closed the door. "Do you want me to open the blinds?"

"You can if you want to," Jill said, taking a seat on the sofa. "Come sit beside me, brother dear. Tell me what's on your mind."

Nathan joined his sister on the sofa. "Mom and dad were having lunch at Tuscany's yesterday when they saw Edward kissing another woman. That bastard is cheating on Katie."

"Tell me something I don't know," Jill muttered.

"What does that mean?" Nathan sad. "Did you know about Edward's infidelity?"

"I had a pretty good idea," Jill said. "Go on, what else?"

"I went to see Katie during lunch," Nathan said. "She knew Edward was cheating. She said he was never faithful to her. I asked her why she hasn't left him. She told me she had her reasons. What those reasons are I don't know. She wouldn't tell me. I told her to leave him. She said no." He paused. "She begged me not to confront him. I promised her I wouldn't. What do I do, Jill?"

Jill placed her hand on Nathan's arm. "You promised her you wouldn't confront Edward. Keep your promise."

"Damn," Nathan growled. "When I made Katie that promise I had no idea how hard it was going to be to keep it."

Jill rose from the sofa and turned her back to Nathan. "I know how you feel. It's hard to keep a promise. Some times the weight of that promise is so heavy you feel like you're going to collapse under it."

"What kind of promise did you make and who did you make it to?" Nathan asked quietly.

"I can't answer that," Jill said. "I want to, but I can't."

"Get over here, Jillian Rebecca Crane," Nathan said softly. "Talk to your big brother."

Jill turned to face Nathan and smiled sadly. "I wish I could."

Nathan stood and walked toward Jill. He stopped in front of her and framed her face between his hands. Looking into her eyes, he said, "Talk to me, Jillybean. Unburden yourself."

Jill lowered her gaze. "She would never forgive me if I told you."

"She? Are you talking about mom?"

"No," Jill said.

"Are you talking about Katie?"

"Yes," Jill whispered. "Please don't ask me any more questions."

Nathan led Jill back to the sofa. "If you tell me I promise I won't let Katie know you told me."

"Oh, Nathan, I know you better than I know myself," Jill said as they sat down once more. "If I told you there is no way you would keep quiet."

"Try me," Nathan said.

"No," Jill said.

"Would you just tell me?" Nathan snarled, losing his temper.

"Don't you take that tone of voice with me," Jill snapped.

"Then tell me what in the hell is going on!" Nathan shouted. "First Katie won't open up and now-"

"Edward is abusing Kate," Jill cried out. "It's been going on ever since they got married. It started out physical then turned sexual and verbal. She tried to leave him, and he beat her. He told her if she ever tried to leave again he would kill her. With Kate gone Gaby would be trapped with that monster. Who knows what he would do to that innocent baby. That's why Kate won't leave Edward."

When Jill's words had sunk in anger such as Nathan had never known before rose within him. He wanted to find Edward and make him pay for what he was doing to Kate. His eyes softened as he thought about his best friend and the pain and humiliation she had to be suffering at Edward's hands. An ache pooled in his chest and a lump formed in his throat. He found himself caught between anger and anguish.

"You're not going after Edward, are you?" Jill asked. "Please don't, Nathan. You'll just make things worse."

"What do you want me to do, Jill?" Nathan said hoarsely. "Do you want me to stand by quietly while that son of a bitch beats on her? I have to do something."

"If you confront Edward it's only going to make him angrier," Jill said. "Who do you think he's going to take his anger out on?"

"Katie," Nathan whispered.

"Exactly," Jill said. "She won't leave him. I have tried to get her to leave with me many times. She won't budge. There is no point in trying to talk to her. Her mind is made up." She moved closer to Nathan and laid her hand on his shoulder. "She can never know I told you. If she found out, she wouldn't trust me anymore. I need her to trust me, so I can be there for her. She needs someone to confide in. I don't want her going through this alone."

"I'm her best friend. Why didn't she tell me?"

Jill reached for Nathan's hand. "She was trying to protect you. She knew if you ever found out you would go after Edward and try to hurt him. She said you're no match for Edward. He's ruthless. He has money and power to back him up. Kate thinks Edward would try and ruin your good name. She cares too much about you to let that happen."

"I don't give a damn about my reputation," Nathan said angrily. "Katie means more to me than anything in this world."

"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Jill asked.

"Yes," Nathan said. "I can't deny it anymore. Not after that kiss we shared."

"You kissed Kate?" Jill said. "When did this happen?"

"Earlier today," Nathan said.

"What about Connie?" Jill said.

Nathan ran a hand through his hair. "I love her, but I'm not in love with her."

"Are you going to break up with her?"

"I don't know," Nathan said. "I can't think about that right now. I'm worried about Katie."

"I am too," Jill said. "What are you going to do? Are you going to go to Kate and tell her you know?"

"No." Nathan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I won't confront Edward either, although that little voice in my head is screaming for me to kill him."

"Ignore that little voice," Jill said. "It'll only get you into trouble."

"I swear to you, Jill," Nathan said with a determined look in his eyes. "If it's the last thing I do I'm going to find a way to get Katie away from him. I don't know yet how I'm going to do it, but her days in that house are numbered. By the time I'm done Katie will be free of Edward. I'm not going to let her spend the rest of her life living in fear and pain."

"Let me know if there's anything I can do to help," Jill said. She raised her head and gazed at Nathan. "Why aren't you furious with me? I knew what was going on with Kate, and I didn't tell you."

"I should be furious with you, but I just don't have it in me," Nathan said, standing. "It's been a long day, sis. I didn't sleep well last night. Get out of here and leave your old brother alone."

Jill picked up her purse and got up off the sofa. "Will you be all right?"

"Sure," Nathan mumbled.

Jill kissed Nathan's cheek. "I will see you tomorrow."

"Would it be all right if I bring Katie with me?"

"Of course."

Once Jill was gone Nathan settled behind his desk, his mind on Kate.
Please, God,
he silently prayed.
Help me find a way to save Katie before it's too late.

Kate was in the bathroom massaging lotion into Gaby's skin. She had just given the baby a bath and was getting her ready for bed. Squirting some of the fragrant lotion into her palm, she began rubbing Gaby's feet and legs. When she was done applying the lotion to her tiny body, she powdered her bottom and put a new diaper on her. After dressing her in a cotton sleeper, Kate picked Gaby up and carried her to the nursery. She was putting her in the crib when Clara stuck her head in the room.

"Flowers just arrived for you. I put them in your room. Also dinner is in ten minutes."

"Thank you, Clara."

"You're welcome, dear." Clara cleared her throat. "I just thought I should warn you. Mr. Lewis is in a foul mood. Please choose your words wisely before you talk to him."

"I'll try," Kate said, turning back to the crib. She caught Gaby yawning and smiled. "Did mommy wear you out?" She caressed the baby's head. "I'll let you go to sleep. Sweet dreams my little angel. I love you."

Kate left the nursery and headed to her bedroom where she found a crystal vase full of red tulips on her dresser. Wondering who sent them, she reached for the small card and immediately recognized Nathan's handwriting. He had written only two words:
I'm sorry
. Her eyes on the beautiful flowers Kate pulled her cell phone out of the pocket of her jeans. She glanced down briefly to dial Nathan's number then glanced back up again. While she waited for Nathan to answer she brushed her nose against the silky petals.