“You can leave anytime, Luna, I just wanted to see you. To explain why I never told you who I was. I know it doesn’t mean much now. But I did love you, even if it wasn’t in the way we both believed at first. You were right, I think I was in love with the idea of you, it just took me longer than necessary to realize that.” He smiles sadly, and I stop trying to move away. “I would still like to explain though, I don’t want you to feel as though I ever misled you, and now, after what my brother did.” His eyes shimmer, as he squeezes them shut, and folds his arms tightly across his chest.
“I’m sorry about Bradley, it couldn’t have been easy for you to find out about what he did.” I hesitate, before trying to shake off the last of my fear. It’s Cole for fuck’s sake. He’s a doctor, surely I can trust him. I step forward, and pat him on the shoulder.
He laughs softly as he looks up at me, and I remember why I had such a crush on him to begin with. His laugh and kind eyes. It doesn't hit me anymore, but he is Poppy’s doctor. He’s still that same man, even if I no longer want him to be my man.
“It wasn’t easy. I never thought he could do something like that. I really thought I knew him. It’s hard to realize that after everything, I never really knew him at all. He’s a monster, Luna, and I wish I could hate him, but I can’t.” His head drops down, as his shoulders pull forward.
I glance around, unsure of what to do. Anyone else and I’d hug them, but I don’t want to give him the wrong idea. I also don’t want to see him suffer like this.
“I don’t think we can ever really know someone, Cole, it’s hard. Despite what he’s done, he’s still your brother. No one should blame you for loving him.” I stop patting him and instead just place my hand on his shoulder. He places his on top of mine, and squeezes gently.
“As far as this family is concerned, they're done with him. Bradley doesn’t even exist anymore. I don’t condone his actions, I just wish I could understand them.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me he was your brother?” He stares into my eyes, before looking away. I think I can see shame written there, but I don’t know for sure.
“I tried so hard to leave this life behind. After seeing how they treated their girls during my time here, I left and went to Notre Dame. I just couldn’t afford to pay off the bills. My mom had already disowned me, and she wasn’t exactly in a generous mood to help her eldest son. Arthur came to my rescue, and said he would pay for my studies, if I agreed to work here for a whole month, every three months.” He blows out a ragged breath, as he pushes to his feet. “What choice did I have? Bradley told me not to do it, said I would be better off swimming in debt, but I was going to get any help financially. So, we made a deal. I would work here, but I wouldn’t use the name. As far as anyone was concerned, Cole Harkwright never existed and I had no ties to this place. If I told you and someone found out, I would have been in a world of trouble. But you would have been too.” He grips my shoulder, and my fear resurfaces, but I try to push it back down.
“Why would I have been?” I take a small step back, as his hand falls from my shoulder, and my arms wrap around my stomach.
“They would have wanted to know why I told you. They would have seen how much you meant to me, and I didn’t want you to suffer because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. If I knew you were planning on applying, I would have told you everything. Maybe then, I would have done a better job at keeping you safe.” I can see how much hatred Cole has for himself, but this isn’t his fault.
“Cole, I was always going to end up here. I would stop at nothing to help my family. Thank you for telling me though, I do appreciate it.” I give him a soft smile, and he returns it easily.
“I want to tell you why I’m back, but I don’t even understand it. One minute, Emmet is telling me I’m no longer welcome here and the next, Arthur is calling me to say that my position is being reinstated. I don’t know why I left, and I have no idea why I’m here now…” He opens his mouth to say something else, before shaking his head. “...Luna, you were always so kind to me and everyone at the hospital. I really hope we can be friends.” He holds his hand out and I slide mine into his.
“Of course we can. I’d like that.”
This doesn’t feel right, but I’m sure it’s just my nerves making mountains out of molehills.
35
The Legacy
Luna
I go back to my room, feeling strangely shaken. I think there’s just been so much in such a short period of time. This casual thing with Thallon, who is going to continue to demean me in front of everyone, Tucker returning, without knowing why, and now Cole as well.
That’s all there is to it, at least now I can breathe and think. And there goes the door, of course.
I pull it open, and look up to Maddox. He keeps glancing around and unlike usual, he doesn’t wait to be invited in. He brushes past me with a frown plastered on his face. I’m guessing this isn’t going to be a catch up then.
“Maddie, what’s wrong?”
“Can I ask you something, without you asking why?” He sits down, but his eyes stay trained on me. I take a seat beside him and reach for his hand.
“Of course, you’re one of my best friends. I’ll answer whatever questions you have.” I probably shouldn’t say that, it’s just I know that Maddox would never overstep his bounds.
“Are you in love with my brother?” He says it calmly, with no inflection in his voice.
“I… Maddie, I don’t know what to say to that.” I take my hands away, and fold them in my lap.
“Please, Luna, this is important. I won’t judge you, but I need to know.”
“Yes, I am. I didn’t realize at first, until it hit me. Is that really so bad, though? To love him?” I tug on the ends of my hair, right up until he takes my hands in his, and refuses to let go.
“No, it’s not. There’s something you need to know. I wanted to tell you sooner, but loving him changes things. I can’t ignore the fact that this is knowledge that is being kept from you, and it isn’t fair.” His voice is growing frantic, it’s scaring me. I don’t think I want to know. “If I tell you, it has to stay between us. I can’t afford for dad to find out. There’s no telling what he will do. Please, no matter how it makes you feel, you can’t act any differently around Emmet.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t tell me, I don’t want you to get in trouble, but if you need to, then I will keep it to myself. I never want to get you in trouble.” He pulls me into his arms and I brace myself for whatever he has to say.
“The reason Emmet was so obsessed with you and the whole Legacy bullshit is because…” He breathes out harshly as he pulls back. “Shit, this is harder than I thought it would be.”
“Take your time. It’s okay, Maddie. There’s no rush.” Except for Tucker coming over, but he can wait. Maddox needs me more than he does right now.
“Father decided to make a new stipulation on Emmet taking over as well, boss doesn’t seem right. Let’s call him ruler, seeing as everyone, including him, thinks he's a Goddamn prince. He has to be married by the end of next year, someone worthy of the position. Father said it could be anyone from outside, but then things got more interesting when he showed Emmet your picture. He said if he was to find a wife at the Academy, then it had to be a legacy, a daughter of a former Academy girl. You are the only girl here who fits that, Luna. If Emmet wants to be in charge, then he needs to marry you. He knew it before you ever set foot through the main doors.” His eyes search mine, and a strangled cry escapes my mouth as I jump to my feet, no longer able to sit still. “The question is, Luna, do you love him enough to not let it matter? Could you marry him knowing how it all started? If not, then you can’t say yes when he proposes. Because he will. At graduation, he will offer a proposal.”