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“They don’t have to, you know. And I’m still unsure what’s going on with Renaldi. Where my place is within the company, if I even have a place.” Stasia shook her head, cast her gaze out toward the sea once more. Foolishly she wished for a simpler time, when she was younger and had not a care in the world.
But those times were long ago and she’d never get them back, no matter how hard she wished for them.
“Vincenzo was here just yesterday promising you will most definitely have a position at Renaldi. Don’t doubt your brothers, cara. They will do anything they can to ensure you will be back within the fold and soon,” her mother said vehemently.
Stasia knew her mother was right. It had been wonderful, spending time with her brother. Vincenzo had stayed the night before leaving early this morning for business, his handsome face serious as he’d swore to her over dinner they were doing everything in their power to bring her back to Renaldi. They were close, he’d said. Matteo and the lawyers believed they’d found a way to get around the wording of the will so Stasia could take on her position in the company once again.
The more she thought about it, though, the more she wondered if that was what she really wanted. She’d contemplated branching out before her father’s death. Designing her own jewelry, becoming independent from the main accessory line, though she would’ve still been a part of the Renaldi brand.
After they’d worked so hard, though, she couldn’t tell her brothers she wasn’t interested. And what of the Worths? Would she find a place within their family? How would they feel once they knew she had the same blood running through their veins? Would they finally accept her? Either way, she was scared of the unknown.
God, she needed Gavin. More than she cared to admit.
“I do appreciate everything Matt, Rafe and Vince are doing for me, but there is still unfinished business I left in New York,” Stasia said quietly.
Claudia’s expression hardened. “Why go there and face certain humility? Haven’t they done enough to turn you away? Why subject yourself to more?”
Stasia stood, glaring at her mother in disbelief. “It’s not about them turning me away. How do you expect them to feel? They didn’t believe me. They didn’t believe you. It’s hard for them to comprehend the entire situation.” She took a deep breath and shook her head. “I have to go back eventually, Mama.”
Her mother stood as well and rushed toward her, drawing her into a clumsy embrace. “I don’t want you to leave me. I don’t want you mad at me, Stasia. We must stand together, you and I. I refuse to let this rip us apart again.”
“It won’t rip us apart again, I promise. We still need to heal. And I can’t stay here with you forever, Mama. No matter how much I want to hide away and not face the world.” Stasia’s heart was breaking. For both herself and her mother, for their entire family. She wanted to forgive the man she thought of as her father but it was so hard. “You can’t hide here either. Come back to New York with me. Be my support while I deal with my—my other family.”
Claudia shook her head, panic in her eyes. “I don’t think I can.”
“Please? I need you,” Stasia admitted, pressing her lips together. Tears threatened and she pulled her sunglasses off, swiped at her eyes with trembling fingers. “I’ll need your support before I face them.”
“Must you face them? Is it necessary?”
Yes, it was necessary to her. The Worths might not want to see her but she had to try one more time. Tears sliding down her cheeks, she nodded. “I have to. They’re my brothers too, Mama. Family is important to me. Th—they are important to me, even if they hate me.”
Her mother’s face crumpling, she went to Stasia and drew her into her arms. “There, there, don’t cry, my lovely girl. They couldn’t hate you. They’ll love you, just like I do. Just like your brothers here do.” Claudia hugged her so tight Stasia felt as if she couldn’t breathe. “I’ll go with you. How could I not?”
Relief flooding her, Stasia wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist, her familiar scent a comfort she’d missed greatly. “Thank you, Mama. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“Yes, yes I think I do know.”
“Stasia, it’s good to see you. I’m so glad you could come tonight.”
Stasia stepped inside the tall foyer, her gaze soaring upward. A spectacular pendant light the size of her entire body hung from the two-story ceiling, bathing the entry with a pleasant golden glow. “Thank you so much for inviting me, Gabriella.”
Rhett Worth’s girlfriend hugged her close, her embrace warm and friendly, conveying so much with that one gesture.
Stasia closed her eyes hard, warding off the sudden tears. She wanted to cry after a mere hug, which meant she was in desperate need of reassurance.
And meaningful affection, something she’d been lacking for weeks despite being with her mother. She missed Gavin.
“Everyone else is waiting in the den. Come with me.” Ella took Stasia’s hand and led her through the apartment she shared with Rhett.
Stasia looked around, taking everything in. The place was gorgeous, the colors dark yet warm, the rooms spectacularly large but somehow cozy and welcoming. She saw traces of the bachelor pad it must’ve once been. The giant flat screen TV which hung on the wall, accompanied by an outrageous collection of DVDs in the large entertainment center that framed either side of the television.
Feminine touches mingled with the masculine. Framed photos of family members were scattered throughout or hung on the walls, one picture touching Stasia in particular. The photo was large, at least eleven by fourteen in size. It was of Rhett and Ella on stretched canvas, no frame distracting from the picture. Ella was smiling at the camera, her face full of joy and laughter.
But Rhett was looking at Ella, his expression one of so much love,
it made Stasia’s throat ache.
“That photo embarrasses Rhett,” Ella said, her voice low, when Stasia stopped to study it.
