Art of Forgiveness

by Monique Orgeron

  “Why? You didn’t think you could trust her?”

  “No, that’s not it. I didn’t want this life for her. I loved her so much, Mom, but she was not made for this life. She was pure and innocent. She was sweet and untouched by the evils of this world. She would’ve never wanted to be married to a mobster. Her family would have never accepted that either. I loved her enough to let her go, and I still do. She still won’t want this life.”

  “So, you sacrificed her because you loved her, and now you won’t have her because you’re, what, stupid? I can’t believe how stupid you are.”

  “I’m not stupid. I love her, and yes, I’m still willing to let her live the life she should have. Even if that means she lives it without me.”

  “Liam, you never gave her the choice. You didn’t trust her enough to see what she wanted. You made the decision for her. She may never forgive you for taking her option away. Because that’s exactly what you did to the woman you say you love. You broke her heart, you didn’t trust her, and you took her choice away from her. Oh, and by the way, I know you hid her not only from me, but from everyone. You kept her a secret.”

  I get up from my chair and get two files from my cabinet. I return to my desk and drop one of the files in front of him.

  “What’s this?”

  “That is the file on the man you’re willing to give Avery to. Go ahead, read what type of life she’s going to have.”

  I watch as he looks down at it on my desk, almost like it might bite him. But then he picks it up and starts reading it. Once Avery told me about Phillip Braun, I had to know who he was. I had my investigator find everything he could on Phil. When I read the report, I was surprised to realize he was from the family I thought he was from.

  As far as the file on Phil goes, it paints a pretty picture of a life Avery could have, but then I’ll show him my second file.

  He reads it and says, “He sounds perfect for her. She should have a good life, but I could already tell that, Mom.”

  “It does look perfect, doesn’t it?” I slam the other file down. “Now read this one.”

  He eyes it and then starts reading. I wait patiently for him to put two and two together.

  After a few minutes, he looks up at me. “What is this?”

  “That, angel, is his family. The Brauns are a family of importance; they own banks and practically run the state. Just like we do. You see, Liam, Phil is just like you, and his family is just like ours. You’re throwing the woman you love into the arms of a man just like the ones you’re forcing her out of. The only difference is that she loves you, not him.” I lean back in my chair and say, “Phillip Braun Sr. is a very important man in the state of Alabama. I hope one day we will do business with him. Alabama has casinos, but they don’t have legal table gambling yet. Once they do, I will need Mr. Braun to help our family to have one of the state’s first table gaming casinos and hotel. Without him, that dream will never come true. You need to decide what you’re going to do, but you will do it without pissing that family off, do you hear me?”

  He nods his head. “I’ll tell her. She won’t want him after that.”

  “No, you won’t. You will not tell Avery anything about the Brauns that Phil doesn’t want her to know. If you do, Liam, you will have to deal with me, son.”

  “If I don’t, Mom, she’ll marry him. It will hurt her when she finds out who he really is.”

  “You underestimate Avery, son. She’s not stupid. She might not have known much about our family when you two were younger, but I can guarantee you she knows some things now. That girl can handle a lot more than you think. She’s not naïve anymore to the evils of the world.” I stand up to get my point across. “I will tell you this much, Liam. Avery is part of this family and always will be. With or without you. You just need to decide if she will be in this family as a Stern bearing your children, or if she’ll be in this family as a Braun. Figure it out, son, but don’t fuck this family with the Brauns or Avery.”

  I walk out of the room and leave him to dwell on that for a while.

  I pray he makes the right decision because I wasn’t lying. Avery is part of this family, with or without him in her life.

  52

  Avery

  The rest of the night, I don’t see Liam again. We all eat together as a family without him. I can’t believe how well Phil fits in with the Sterns. Even Catherine seems to like Phil. It maybe shouldn’t surprise me, but it does. I thought she would have hated him, especially after she found out about Liam and my past relationship.

  At one point, Phil even talks to Catherine and Gabriel about business.

  Phil tells them, “My father was excited for me to come here. I think he was hoping I would gain some insight on the character of the Catherine Stern, and of course her sons.”

  It sounds like there is an underlying meaning in what Phil said, but I can’t understand what. So, I just listen to their conversation.

  Catherine goes on. “Well, I hope you tell your father we were very hospitable and accommodating. I hope your father will return the favor.”

  Phil nods. “He will, I’m sure. I think our families will get along very well. Of course, he expected you would be very accommodating. But he wanted to know more about your character.”

  Catherine replies, “What did you learn about my character?”

  “You are exactly what he hoped you would be.”

  Gabriel jumps in with, “Phil, when will you be running some of the business for your father?”

  “I’m going to finish getting my MBA and then slowly start taking over. Training started, however, a long time ago. I’m sure the same as with you.”

  Gabriel nods. “Hopefully when the time is right, you will be more involved. I hope your father knows exactly what we would be interested in.”

  Phil looks at Gabriel and says, “If he weren’t, he wouldn’t be so interested in my report.”

  Liam walks into the room and takes a seat. He’s staring at Phil now and asks, “You’re discussing business in front of Avery?”

  Phil looks at me, then looks back at Liam. “Of course I am, why wouldn’t I? She needs to know who I am if she becomes my wife. Besides, Avery can handle it. Do you think my father would have let me come here for her if he didn’t investigate her family? Avery is perfect for my family. She’s beautiful and highly intelligent, and she has the right breeding. My father would love nothing more than to have Avery Edwards as his daughter-in-law and for her to be the mother of his grandchildren.”

  “What are you talking about?” I ask.

  Phil answers, “Liam is talking about my family running what happens in our state. Sometimes everything is not entirely, let’s say legal.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “You mean Liam was trying to embarrass you in front of me by using your family business against you?”

  “Yes, I imagine he was. How do you feel about that?”

  “I feel like Liam should look in his own backyard.”

  I stand and walk off. I decide to go to my room and be finished with all of them for the night.

  I might not have known about Phil’s family, but I’m not stupid. I have heard the rumors about the Sterns almost my whole life. Plus, I have been working on Catherine’s accounts that she asked me to. Legal doesn’t even come close to what’s in those accounts. Money laundering is the word to use. Unfortunately, whoever has been doing the work for her is also ripping her off. Not much money is being stolen, but it’s enough. The investments also aren’t getting enough return, and the taxes are being overlooked. If she’s not smart, it could be a problem. Now that I have extra time on my hands, I plan on finishing my report.

  The next morning, Phil knocks on my door.

  “I was wondering if I could speak to you in private?”

  I open the door wider and let him in.

  He starts, “Avery, I would like to apologize for last night. I didn’t mean to tell you about my family like that.”

  “It’s o
kay, Phil. I’m not dumb or blind. The older I get, the more I see.”

  He nods. “I have to leave today and go back home. My father says he has something I need to handle. But I need to talk to you first.”

  I see something is on his mind that’s bothering him.

  “What’s wrong, Phil?”

  He sits and passes his hand over his face. “Avery, I don’t know how to tell you this. I came here with a purpose. Lucy needed me to come.”

  “Why would Lucy need you to come here?”

  “Avery, you are perfect for me. When I was around you, I saw nothing else but you. When you left, I still wanted you. But then I started noticing Lucy. God, Avery, I fell in love with her. I didn’t mean for it to happen, God knows she drives me crazy. She’s a pain in my ass, she pushes all my buttons. But I fell hard. I love her, Avery.”

  What the hell?! Phil and Lucy together? They fight like cats and dogs.

  “Why did you come here, then?”

  “Lucy refuses to let me tell her I love her. She says I’ve been after you all these years, then you leave and I go after her. She said she’s just convenient for me. But it’s not true. Not all of it. I always liked you, Avery, I know we would be the perfect couple. I thought I had feelings for you. But when you left, something happened between me and Lucy. She thinks she’s betraying you, and she thinks she is my second choice. So, she finally turned me away and said I needed to come see you.” Phil throws up his arms in frustration. “I told her I didn’t need to see you to know how I felt, but she insisted I come and give it a try with you.”

  “Oh my God, Phil, you and Lucy?”

  “Yeah, me and Lucy. Are you mad at me? I didn’t mean to come here and lead you on, but Lucy wanted me to give it my best shot, so I did.”

  “I should be Phil, but –”

  “But Liam, isn’t that right?”

  I don’t even try and deny it. “Yes, Liam.”

  “I figured. He’s always been the one, hasn’t he?”

  I nod my head and sit next to him. “We’re both screwed, aren’t we?”

  “Yep. I want you to know, Avery, I do care for you and I tried, I really did. But what I feel for you isn’t the same way I feel for Lucy.”

  “I know, Phil. Don’t worry about it. I tried to, but Liam’s always there. At least Lucy wants you.”

  “What do you mean? Liam wants you.”

  “No, he doesn’t. He just didn’t want you having me.”

  “I don’t know, Avery. I know guys, and that guy is crazy for you.”

  “Still, he’s not crazy enough to truly want me in his life.”

  Phil puts his arm around me and says, “He might come around one day.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m tired of waiting. I thought maybe I could fall for you in order to forget him, but even without you, I need to give up on him.”

  Phil shakes his head. “Now I have to go home and explain to my father that you’re not the one. I don’t know which one he will take harder, the loss of me marrying Avery Edwards or finding out I love Lucy. He will never agree with me being with her. I don’t care, though. She’s it for me, and I’m not letting her go, even if that means I have to leave the family. I will.”

  “Wow, you’re serious, aren’t you?”

  “Very, I miss her so much. I even miss her yelling at me and telling me what to do.”

  I laugh. “God, Phil, you really are in love.”

  “Yep, I’m screwed.”

  We go downstairs, and Phil tells everyone, including Liam, about him having to leave early. Then I walk him to the door to tell him bye. All of a sudden, he grabs me and pulls me to his chest and plants the biggest and what looks like the most passionate kiss on me, right in front of everyone, after which he whispers in my ear, “He’s watching. I hope it helped. I’m usually enough to make any man jealous.”

  I whisper back, “I’m sure you are. Thank you, Phil, and tell Lucy I love her and I’m fine with you two being together.”

  I close the door and turn around, seeing all the family watching. I clear my throat and ask Catherine for a meeting when she’s ready. She tells me after lunch she’ll meet me in her office.

  I leave them and go back to my bedroom. I just need some time alone before I can face any of them. Between last night and this morning there’s a lot I need to digest.

  53

  Avery

  I’m in the dining room, waiting for everyone to gather. Today is the first day in a long time everyone is home during the day. Slowly, everyone starts filling in, including Liam, who sits across from me. I sit up straighter and see Jeffery enter, ready to serve our lunch.

  The conversation begins with Catherine telling everyone how happy she is to have a whole day with the family. She then turns her attention to me.

  “I’m so sorry Phil had to leave early. I’m sure you’ll miss him. He seems to be a very nice young man.”

  “He is, thank you.”

  We all continue to eat and talk about events coming up, the biggest one being the arrival of my godson. He’s due pretty much any day now. The doctor said to be prepared, Fallon will be full term next week.

  Catherine looks at me and says, “So, am I to understand you have finished your reports?”

  “Yes, that’s why I wanted to meet with you. To talk over my findings.”

  Liam asks, “What reports?”

  Catherine says, “It’s nothing for you to worry about, Liam. I asked Avery to put her education to work and help me on one of my projects.”

  Liam, getting frustrated, asks in a harsh tone, “Mother, what project? I don’t want her involved in our business.”

  “Who do you think you’re talking to, boy?” Catherine looks him dead on.

  I don’t know what’s going on, but I figure I’ll follow everyone else and keep my mouth shut. Liam and Catherine look like they are having a pissing contest.

  Liam talks back, “I know exactly who you are.”

  Catherine stands.

  She looks directly into Liam’s eyes and aggressively says, “Is that right, Liam? Because you sure don’t act like you know who you’re talking to. Besides being your mother, I am Catherine fucking Stern. And I am the head of this fucking family, not you, not Zander or Vin, not even Gabriel. Me, do you understand? No one tells me what to do or say. I am the only one who makes the final decisions. I love you, son, but don’t you ever forget who I am.”

  Everyone is scared to move. I knew Catherine could be scary, but I never saw her like this.

  “Avery, if you have finished your lunch, I think now is a good time to discuss our business,” she says and starts walking away.

  I look up, scared of what to do. Gabriel tells me, “You better go. She won’t be like that with you. Liam just overstepped. She’ll be fine.”

  I nod my head and stand to leave. I look over to Liam to make sure he’s all right, but he doesn’t look up. So, I keep walking.

  I gather all the stuff Catherine gave me and my reports, then I knock on Catherine’s office door. Once I’m invited in, I put everything down on her desk and take a seat.

  “What did you find?” Catherine gets straight to the point.

  “I found a lot of discrepancies and mismanagement of the accounts. The tax breaks are not being fully utilized either. I also found some funds have been embezzled from each account.”

  I take a deep breath, waiting for her possible outburst.

  “I see, how much money is being stolen?”

  “With each account, it’s different. Every month, he or she hits a different account, and it’s so random I almost missed it. The total is a little over two hundred thousand dollars.”

  She uncrosses her legs and sits up straighter. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I checked it over three times.”

  “Did you find anything else?”

  “Whoever is doing the accounts is not paying attention to the market. The accounts can be making more money than what they are. Plus, the taxe
s on these investments are a rip-off. They can invest in things that will only require minimum taxes to be paid.”

  I’m not sure whether or not I should press on, but I figure I came this far, and she knows I’m not stupid. So, I go for it.

  “I’m sure some of this money is going through some form of laundering. I have some other ideas for arranging more ways to wash the money.”

  Catherine smiles at me as she starts to relax in her chair.

  “I’m happy to see that expensive education can be used for something other than finding a suitable husband.”

  “I’m happy to use it also. I really had fun doing it.”

  “You know, Avery, this cannot be discussed with anyone, especially my sons. They are not to ever know about this. Is that something you are willing to do?”

  “I understand. They won’t find out from me.”

  “Good, I need to know I can trust you on this. Can I trust you, Avery?”

  “Yes, Catherine, I’ve already told you I would never do anything to hurt you or your family. I owe you everything. I kind of think of you all as my family. I never felt this kind of bond before. I know I’m not family, but –”

  “But what, Avery? Do you wish you were my family?”

  “Yes, I do, but don’t worry; it’s not like in a crazy way. I just wish I had the love you all have for each other, and the closeness. I never had that in my family.”

  “Avery, you are part of this family, no matter what. That will never change. You are like a daughter to me. Everything we went through has bonded us for life. Plus, you are going to be my grandson’s godmother. Do you really think Gabriel and Fallon would choose you for such an honor if they didn’t think of you like family?”

  I clear my throat, trying not to cry. “Thank you, Catherine. I guess I never looked at it like that, but I love all of you.”

  “And we love you, too. Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk business. Do you think you can explain everything you found to some more people for me?”