Chapter 18: Chapter 18

ANNABELLE

^ONE WEEK LATER^

^BLAKE STONE INHERITS BROKEN COMPANY^

^STONE FINANCIAL: PLANNED COLLAPSE?^

^NEW EVIDENCE CLEARS BLAKE STONE^

^DAUGHTER OF MILES STONE SPEAKS OUT^

^MILES STONE FRAMED HIS OWN SON!^

^FORMER STONE FINANCIAL CEO BEHIND BARS^

The day after my exposé published, the internet exploded with headlines talking about the truth behind the collapse of Stone Financial. News that Miles Stone had embezzled millions from his own company and then set up his son to take the fall spread like wildfire.

Blake’s name was officially cleared and his father arrested. Aleah had credited her brother with uncovering the truth and trying to protect their clients’ interests in her interview, prompting several former investors to come forward. It looked like he would be able to start his company again if he wanted.

I sighed, my fingers freezing over my keyboard as I wondered again if any of this had reached Blake. Killian had called to congratulate me and said that he’d share the news as soon as he could, but he’d been caught up at the hospital a lot lately.

“Well done, Annabelle,” my editor, Michelle, said, tapping my shoulder and pulling my attention away from the screen in front of me. “Your story is all anyone can talk about.”

I nodded, a small sad smile on my face.

“Come on,” she encouraged. “Exposing corporate corruption and clearing the name of an innocent man? This is what investigative journalism was made for!”

“Thanks, Michelle,” I admitted. “It’s just been a long week.”

“I’ll say. How about you take the rest of the day off? Take Monday too. You’ve earned it.”

“Oh, there’s no need for that,” I protested.

“I’m not taking no for an answer. Shoo. We’ll see you next week. Have yourself a great weekend, our star reporter,” she said, spinning on her heel as she waved me off and laughed. “And you better not be here when I come back from my coffee break.”

“Time to go home, I guess,” I mumbled as I switched off my laptop and wished everyone a good weekend before leaving the building.

The brisk air kissed my skin as I stepped outside. The clouds looked gray, promising a cool evening and probably a chilly weekend. It might even snow. Letting out a deep sigh, I got in my car and started my drive home.

Although the article had been a huge success, I found myself feeling a bit numb to it all. Blake’s name was no longer the brunt of public disdain and I’d received a promotion, both things worth celebrating, but my heart still felt heavy.

I couldn’t imagine how Blake had felt, knowing his father had been the one to frame him all along. Someone who was supposed to always be on his side. Someone he was supposed to be able to trust. My heart broke for him every time I thought about it.

~I wonder how he’s doing.~ ~I hope he’s okay.~

With the whole business surrounding the publication of the article, I hadn’t had the opportunity to visit him and tell him the good news. I glanced at the sky again as I pulled into the parking lot of my building, thinking it looked a lot like the morning I met Blake.

My lips quivered at the thought, and I stifled a sob. I missed him so much.

I threw my handbag on the couch and peeled my shoes off the moment I came through the door. Exhaustion clawed at me as I threw myself onto my bed, letting out a frustrated sigh just as a ping resonated from my phone. I opened the text notification.

Aleah

Thank you again for all that you’ve done. Should you ever need any help in the future, please let me know and I will try by all means to assist where I can.

Annabelle

It’s been more than a pleasure. I’m happy that we could set things right.

I placed my phone on the nightstand next to my bed. Aleah didn’t know what her brother meant to me, and I hadn’t told her during the course of our investigation. How could I? I didn’t even know if Blake felt like that for me.

I pulled a blanket over myself and closed my eyes, drifting off as thoughts of Blake filled my mind.

***

The shrill ring of my phone woke me. The room around me was dark. With a groan, I let my eyes flutter shut, reaching out blindly for the offending device. I fumbled with it, swiping several times before finally answering, my voice still heavy with sleep.

“Hello?”

“Annabelle, were you sleeping, honey?” my mom asked.

“No. I’m up,” I said, rising and rubbing the sleep from my eyes, even though all I wanted to do was to sink back into the comfort of my bed.

“Good. I called to tell you that we need to reschedule our dinner tonight. I completely forgot that your Aunt Lina invited your father and me over. I’d feel terrible canceling on her again,” she explained, her voice tinged with guilt.

“It’s okay. Go to Aunt Lina’s. I’ll see you and Dad next weekend,” I reassured her, stretching my arms above my head before bringing the phone back to my ear.

“Thank you, honey. You’re such a wonderful daughter. Your father and I will make it up to you,” she promised.

“It’s okay, Mom,” I said, smiling even though she couldn’t see me. “I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

“I love you even more, sweetie. Bye.”

I yawned as we hung up, setting my phone down and heading to the bathroom. A hot shower seemed like just the thing to shake off the last remnants of sleep.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror as I waited for the water to warm. I looked a bit more rested but there was still sadness in my eyes. I forced myself to smile before stepping into the spray.

I gasped as the chilly water hit me. I’d forgotten that the hot water had gone out. I’d been so busy that I hadn’t had the chance to get it fixed yet.

After a quick and cold shower, I slipped into one of my favorite oversized sweaters and a pair of black leggings. I called the repairman, who said he’d be over in a couple of hours, and looked around my place, noting that it was a bit of a mess. With a sigh, I set about cleaning.

Once everything was finally in order, I sat down to enjoy leftover pizza from the night before. I’d been ordering a lot from the pizzeria over the past week.

I was about to take a bite when a knock at the door startled me. I glanced at the clock. Maybe the repairman had finished his previous job early. I set my plate to the side and got off the couch.

“Coming!” I called.

I walked over to the door and pulled it open without checking to see who it was first.