Jilted (33 page)

“She…she tried to kill herself?”

“She said, she had nothing to live for. I’m not sure if part of it was the drugs that were found in her system, but she’s at a really low point right now. The doctors are keeping her here for the required 72-hour observation period, and they’re giving her methadone to keep her from going through severe withdrawal.”

He should have seen the clues, her frail frame, the bags under her eyes, the frantic movements. Guilt assailed him as he thought about how harsh he’d been with her. Maybe this could have all been prevented if he hadn’t been wrapped up in his own misery. “I didn’t realize…”

“I know that look, Ashley. Don’t go blaming yourself. Colleen made her own decisions.”

“But I could have been there for her long before she turned to drugs. I neglected her and Owen and look at how they turned out.”

William patted him on the arm. “It wasn’t your responsibility to raise them. You did the best you could.”

“Has my mother been by?”

William scratched the back of his head and looked slightly uncomfortable. “She mentioned something about having a spa appointment and that she might come by later.”

Ashley pursed his lips in disgust. “Figures. Owen is here?”

“Yeah, he hasn’t left Colleen’s side since she was brought in.”

“Then I’ll go to her now.”

“I wanted to ask you how Skylar was by the way.”

“She’s good. We’re happy that Solomon is dead.”

“Yes, I caught that on the news this morning. And the children?”

“They’re great. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”

William smiled. “Looking forward to it and maybe you and Skylar…?”

“I’m working on it.”

“All right, now that you’re here, I’m going to head to the office for a few hours and I’ll be back later this evening. And remember what I said, Ashley. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You tend to take the weight of the world on your shoulders and you don’t have to. You have other people in your corner, willing to help.”

“I appreciate that. It means a lot.”

“Anytime.”

When William walked off, Ashley took a deep breath and headed to Colleen’s room. He gently tapped on the door before sticking his head in. Owen was at their sister’s bedside with his head on her bed. It looked like he’d dozed off. Colleen also appeared to be asleep. There were bandages wrapped around her wrist and she was tethered to the bed with straps; he assumed were there to prevent her from hurting herself again. She looked so tiny and helpless in her hospital gown. There wasn’t much color to her face and without the makeup that had been caked on the last time he saw her, she reminded him of the sweet teenager she used to be.

His movement seemed to jar Owen awake because he sat up abruptly.

Owen sneered. “So I see you decided to show up after all.”

Ashley could understand his brother’s hostility. He’d ignored his calls and texts in their time of need. Maybe if he’d helped search for Colleen they could have found her before she did this to herself. Better still had he not turned her away, this whole thing might not have happened. “Yes,” he answered, forcing himself not to argue. It wouldn’t do them any good, especially Colleen. He took the seat on the other side of her bed.

“So I guess Colleen is your sister again now that she nearly offed herself? Or did you come here to rub it in that we’re a couple of fuck-ups? Because if that’s the case you can leave. We don’t need you to lord your authority over us.”

Ashley shook his head. “I didn’t come here for that. When I heard Colleen was in the hospital I came right away. I’m…I’m sorry for ignoring your calls.”

Owen raised a brow. “What? The high and might Ashley Hollingsworth is actually apologizing for something? Wow, why don’t I mark this day on my calendar because only heaven knows if this event will ever happen again.”

“Listen you little shit. It’s time for you to drop the attitude. The only reason I haven’t knocked you through the wall is because of our sister’s grave condition.”

Owen opened his mouth to speak but Ashley cut him off.

“If you say one more smart-ass word, I will do exactly that. After what the two of did you’re lucky I haven’t killed you.”

Owen stood up abruptly, teeth gritted and fists clenched.

Ashley glared at his brother. “Try something and I’ll break your fucking arm.”

“Owen, don’t,” croaked Colleen with a weak whisper.

Owen narrowed his gaze before falling back into his seat with folded arms.

Ashley turned his attention to his sister to see that her eyes were open. Her normally bright blue eyes were dull and nearly lifeless. “Colleen. I’m…” Ashley broke off because he didn’t know what to say.

“It’s okay. You’re here. I didn’t think you’d come. I thought you hated me.”

“I don’t hate you. I never could. I have to learn not to say the first thing off the top of my head when I’m angry.”

Colleen glanced at her twin. “Owen, could you please give me some water? My throat is really dry.”

“Sure thing.” Owen poured her a cup of water from the pitcher on the bedside table and then guided it to her lips. The twins had always had a bond that Ashley was a bit jealous of. Over the past few years it seemed as if they’d drifted apart but seeing them together now made him realize that the love between Owen and Colleen was still there. Sometimes it took a crisis to make people rally around their loved ones.

She took several sips before seeming satisfied. “Thank you.”

“So why did you come, Ashley? Have you decided to care?” Owen sounded more wary than resentful.

“Okay, I deserved that but of course I care. The two of you feel like I’ve wronged you in some way and maybe you’re right. I should have been there for you and as I got busy, I stopped making time for you. When Dad died I looked out for the two of you the best I could but eventually as my life got busier, I made less time for you. I let you down and for that I’m sorry. I should have been there for you two when you needed me. But it doesn’t justify what you did, Colleen, or you, Owen for keeping that secret. Do either of you have any idea what it’s like to love someone the way I love Skylar? And then to have that ripped away. It felt like a part of me had died. I was miserable and angry and I lashed out at the world. I was in so much pain these past five years and you two let me suffer knowing what you did.”

Owen furrowed his brows. “Well we all can’t live perfect little fairytale lives like you. You have no idea what it was like for me and Colleen, always having to live in your shadow and our mother telling us how useless we are and that we’d never measure up to you. Colleen started throwing up everything she ate because of Mother constantly calling her fat. And then you only come around to tell us what to do. Is there any wonder why we turned out to be the fuck-ups you said we were? So yes, Colleen did a bad thing but she did it because she thought that once you married Skylar we’d never see you. Even though you’re a huge asshole sometimes when you bossed us around, you at least came from a place of concern. She didn’t want to lose that. And I wasn’t going to snitch on my twin.”

When put like that, he understood the motivation but it still didn’t excuse the behavior. “So instead of coming to me and telling me how you felt, you decided to destroy my one chance at happiness. Not to mention, the two of you had never been kind to Skylar when she’d never given you a reason to be so rude. Skylar is a decent woman. She’s beautiful, smart, kind, and I bet she would actually forgive you because that’s the kind of person she is even though neither one of you deserve it. But it’s because of her that I learned the importance of forgiveness and I promise this to you both now, everything that happened is now in the past. I want to start with a fresh slate and slowly build our relationship to where it once was.”

Owen eyed him suspiciously. “Yeah? And what’s the catch? That you get to tell us what to do because you control the money?”

“You know what Owen? I’m trying here. I made mistakes, but you can’t be a big man-baby all your life. I could definitely tone down how I talk to the two of you but you have to start accepting responsibility for your own actions. So at the very least you could apologize for what you did, otherwise you’re no better than Mother, a remorseless shell of a person who cares for no one but themselves.”

Owen glared. “I’m nothing like her.”

“Prove it.”

“Yeah, and if I say I’m sorry that’s magically going to make things better?”

“No, but it’s a start. Do you even regret what you did? Even a little?”

Owen looked down at his feet and clenched his fists in his lap. At first Ashley thought he’d remain defiant but instead he raised his head with glistening eyes. “I’m sorry,” he growled. He quickly wiped the corner of his eye. “I know it’s no excuse, especially since Skylar seemed like a decent person, but I was angry and jealous. You stopped being my big brother and…I just wanted that guy back. Then comes this intruder who made you smile and happy while I was miserable living under Mother’s thumb.”

This was the most open and honest his brother had been in years and Ashley could see Owen was just as damaged as he was. “Well I want the old Owen back because I miss him.”

“You could forgive me after what I did?” For the first time in a while, Ashley could hear actual contrition in his brother’s voice.

“Honestly, it’s going to take some time. I can eventually forgive you but it’s going to take some time for you two to earn my trust again. One way you can prove you’re sincere is actually doing something constructive with your life.”

“But you cut us off. How am I supposed to make something of myself with no capital?

Ashley shook his head. “If the money is that important to you, then you can have it all, but if you allow me to invest it for you, the two of you will never have to worry financially again. But I do have conditions and this goes for you as well Colleen.”

“Okay,” Owen agreed slowly.

“Anything,” Colleen spoke.

“I’m going to need you to get clean, Colleen, and that means the drugs and the eating disorder. And Owen, I’d like for you to consider taking a job at the firm.”

The younger man frowned. “I’m not a lawyer. It’s just not my passion.”

“I know you aren’t. But we do have a considerably large IT department. You have a brilliant mind and so much potential. I could put you on the path of heading up the department.”

“Well….” Owen actually looked like he was actually considering it. “Well, that might not be such a bad idea. But I was thinking…uh, of starting my own business. I’ve given what you said some thought and…I want to be independent.”

Ashley smiled for the first time since he’d entered the room. “I’m glad to hear that. Let’s set up a time to discuss your idea and talk how much capital you’ll need to start up.” He turned his attention to his sister. “And you?”

Tears slid down her face. “I want to get better. I hated hanging around people who were just using me for my money. They never liked me, just what they thought they could get out of me. And then when I didn’t have any money to party with, they abandoned me. You’ve been the only one besides Owen who actually cared about me. I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror again and not be disgusted. But I want you to stop hating me, okay?”

Ashley took his sister’s hand. “I never hated you. I was just hurt.”

“And I’m really sorry for what I did. I’m really sorry for the way I treated Skylar and I hope maybe one day the two of you can reconcile.”

“Actually, I’m working on it. If I have my way, I’m going to make that woman my wife. I love her and she’s the mother of my children.”

“Children?” Owen and Colleen spoke simultaneously.

Ashley raised a brow. “Didn’t Mother tell you? Skylar gave birth to triplets. I have two sons and a daughter.”

“Whoa. That’s….that’s great.” Owen said. “Look, Ashley, I’m sorry about not being nice to Skylar as well. I let Mother’s words get inside my head but I should have given her a chance because Skylar made you happy. I realized a long time ago that nothing I do will ever please Mother so I have to stop living for approval that will never come. Like you’ve already pointed out, I’m fucked up but I want to change that.”

“Then we’ll work on it together.”

“Ashley?” Colleen spoke his name meekly.

“Yes?”

“Will we get to meet them? Your children?”

“In time. I guess that depends on what Skylar thinks about it.”

“We need to apologize to her face to face,” Colleen said.

Ashley nodded. “You sure do.”

“When we see her again, we will,” Owen declared.

Ashley was glad to see the twins owning up to their mistakes. It was a start. He doubted he’d ever forget what they did, but he was willing to give them another chance and forgive them because at the end of the day, the two were victims of a woman who only cared about herself. She’d screwed with their heads for most of their lives and this was the result. He sat by Colleen’s bedside until a nurse came by to say she needed to administer another dose of medication that would put Colleen to sleep. As his sister dozed off, Ashley kissed her on the forehead and waved goodbye to Owen with the promise to be in touch.

As he headed out the hospital, Ashley halted when he ran into the woman who he considered was responsible for most of his family’s problems.

“Ashley? What are you doing here? I thought you decided to cut the twins off?”

“Hello, Mother.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Katherine Hollingsworth patted her perfectly coiffed blonde hair, seeming unbothered by Ashley’s less than friendly greeting. “So what made you decide to come to the hospital?”

“It’s a little thing called concern. You should look that word up. William said you heard about Colleen yet you decided to keep a spa appointment.”

“Oh, you’re acting as if the girl is on her deathbed. She’s alive, isn’t she? Besides, I had an appointment with Mr. Etienne and no one cancels on him or else you’ll have to wait months before he schedules you again. And I can’t just let anyone work on my hair.”