Chapter 51 - The trick

Rose's POV

"What?!" I mumbled as my eyes widened in shock.

My mother sighed and resumed. "Steven went abroad for a meeting. He often traveled because of work in the first years of our marriage, leaving me alone. Our relationship changed after Kate's birth. He became so distant and cold towards me." She paused, breathing deeply, and ruffled her hair. "One time, when he was abroad again, my childhood friend and ex-boyfriend came to visit me. He was studying in Switzerland; we hadn't seen each other for a long time."

She pursed her lips as sadness crossed her features.

"He... he didn't look like Steven. He was a charming man. Funny, kind and affectionate... That night, we got drunk... then it happened..." My mother mumbled sorrowfully. "When I found out about my pregnancy, I didn't know what I would do..." She added, looking at me as she gave me a lazy smile. "When I told him, he was so happy and excited and asked me to come with him. He even told me he would accept Kate as his own daughter...." She paused as her voice cracked and a drop of tear ran down her cheek. "When we were going to meet up to discuss the details of how we would leave, he... When I called him after waiting for him in our meeting place, the police... picked up the phone and told me that... he... he had a car accident. He... died before the ambulance arrived." She pursed her lips together and wiped the tears off her cheeks with the back of her hand.

I squeezed Troy's hand unconsciously while trying to pull myself together. It was... a big shock for me. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't think straight. I closed my eyes for a second as I felt dizzy; fortunately, I was sitting.

"Thomas? I saw your photo with him at a prom." I mumbled as I remembered their photo; I found it between the pages of my mother's favorite book. They looked so happy together. I had never seen my mother that much happy; her eyes were shining.

She nodded, giving me a sad smile. "You have his eyes. Every time I look at you, you remind me about him." She added, full of sadness in her eyes. "And you got your talent in drawing from him. He was a talented artist."

"Dad... Steven knows?"

She nodded and breathed deeply. "Yes, but he doesn't know who your real father is. He guessed because he wasn't home for a few weeks. So it was impossible that you were his baby."

"Because of it, he hates me. I always wondered why he didn't love, hug or kiss me like Kate." I commented sadly and shook my head, heaving a sigh.

"I am sorry, Rose. And we are getting a divorce." She informed.

"Oh..." I mumbled.

She sighed as she stood up. "I wanted you to hear about it from me and found out the truth. I didn't want to hide it anymore. Especially after the latest events." I just nodded without managing to say anything.

"Take care!" She mumbled and left.

"Rose... Are you okay?" Troy asked, stroking my hair gently.

"My father loved me. He was happy after he had found out about my existence." I muttered, looking into the space.

"Rose..."

"Just hug me, Troy." I said as my eyes welled up, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his embrace, and placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

***

When I left the bathroom, Troy wasn't in the bedroom. I called him and went towards the living room. I stopped as I heard noises coming from the study room. When I walked in, I saw him working on his laptop.

"Troy, you have to rest." I stated firmly.

"I am fine, baby. I have a lot of paperworks which I need to examine." He said without taking his eyes off his laptop.

"Troy, the doctor said you have to rest." I reminded.

"Rose, I am fine. I didn't go to the mansion because of it. Mom wouldn't let me work." He commented.

"And who told you I would?" I gave him a cocky look.

"Rose, I am really fine. Don't worry." He reassured, looking at me.

"No, Mr. Workaholic. You are coming with me." I stated in an authoritative tone as I approached him and grabbed his hand.

"Rose..." He pouted. "I have to work." He stood up and wrapped his arms around my waist. "I cannot lie all the time without doing anything while I know there are a lot of work in the company. I am not used to it." He added, stroking my hair gently.

"Even if I suggest you I will keep you company in the bed?" I said provocatively, brushing my lips against his neck, and bit my lower lip seductively as I looked at him.

"Hmm... Then I am ready for negotiations." He stated huskily as he squeezed my ass, pressing my body against his body, his eyes dark with desire. "We can use the opportunity that Alec is with my parents in the mansion."

I grinned victoriously as I grabbed his hand and led us towards the bedroom.

"Lie down!" I ordered, smirking cockily.

"Oh! You are so bossy today." He grinned and obeyed. "But wouldn't it be better if I took my clothes off before?" He asked seductively, undressing me with his eyes.

I didn't say anything while trying to hold my smile. Once he lay down on the bed and leaned against the headboard, I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over his body.

"What are you doing? We don't need it." He said, puzzled.

"No, we need it. We will cuddle under the blanket, and I will read you a book." I gave him a wicked smirk as I picked up the book and shook it, grinning.

"What?!" He asked, trying to hide his frustration as much as possible as he sat up on the bed.

"Yes, you will rest." I informed, determined.

"No, Rose. I just need you now. Especially after you have woken up my little friend." He pleaded and pointed to his bulge, pulling the blanket away.

"No, Mister. You will rest." I gave him a devilish grin as I approached the other side of the bed and lay down beside him on the bed.

"Ugh! You are cruel." He pouted childishly and frowned, leaning back against the headboard, annoyed.

"And you aren't different from Alec in stubbornness. So I got used to finding a way to convince my Anderson boys." I commented arrogantly.

He rolled his eyes. "My poor boy! Which promises did you make him too and didn't keep them?" He scowled. "But Daddy is in more trouble than him." He added and sighed, annoyed.

I grinned in amusement and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "I promise you will not regret this delay." I said seductively and kissed his neck. He grumbled and heaved a sigh. I grinned and said softly. "Come here. Let's read the book."

He groaned and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into his chest, and placed a soft kiss on my hair. "When I get you under me, you will pay for it, little imp." He whispered in my ear huskily and pulled my earlobe between his teeth.

***

I was so excited about my new collection with Serena. We were going to launch it next week. We had worked on it hard the last few weeks. I felt so tired, but it was worth it.

The collection was so beautiful. Fortunately, Troy felt better now; so I could focus on my collection. When he didn't feel fine, I couldn't work on it properly. I felt relieved that he was finally in good shape. He even started working in the company again.

After changing a few details of my design, I decided to splash some water on my face as I felt slightly nauseous.

As I left the restroom, I saw Liam and Serena's assistant having a heated discussion far away in the corner away from people. She was saying something to him while he was running his hand towards his hair angrily.

When Liam wanted to grab her hand, saying something with a pleading look as she started crying, she pulled her hand away and left quickly. Liam mumbled something, running his hand through his hair furiously, and kicked the wall. Then he left in the other direction.

I rubbed my chin, lost in my thoughts. What was going on between them? I caught them talking secretly a few times too, but they didn't notice me. Firstly, I thought it was work related, but I started having some suspicions after seeing them together again and again. It looked like anything, but professional discussions.

***

Serena and I were discussing the last details of the collection in the conference room when I suddenly felt nauseated. I covered my mouth with my hand and rushed to the restroom.

After vomiting, I left the cubicle, ruffling my hair while breathing deeply.

"Are you okay, honey?" Serena asked, concerned, placing her hand on my arm.

"Yes..." I nodded, washing my hands, and rested them on my neck, closing my eyes.

"Did you go to the doctor?" She asked as she approached me.

"No, I will be fine. Probably, I caught the flu." I replied while drying my hands with a paper towel.

She smiled at me warmly and asked, giving me a knowing look. "Are you sure? Maybe it's something else."