Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 174

That night, a sleek Bentley pulled up outside the wrought-iron gates of Stellamare Villa.

The driver's door opened, and Jasper Kane stepped out into the cool evening air. He rounded the car to open the rear door.

"We've arrived, Ms. Carrington."

Hester stepped out onto the driveway. "Thank you."

Jasper offered a warm, easy smile. "Don't mention it. Gigi is already asleep, and Caden looks like he's about to crash. You entertained them all afternoon, so you must be exhausted. Get some rest."

"I will." Hester reached down and took Caden's small hand. "Say goodnight to Mr. Kane, Caden."

Caden waved sleepily. "Goodnight, Mr. Kane!"

"Goodnight, buddy. I'll bring Gigi over for another playdate soon." Jasper gently ruffled Caden's hair. "Make sure you take a bath and go straight to sleep. Your godmother worked hard today, so you need to be on your best behavior, understand?"

"Uh-huh!" Caden nodded enthusiastically. "I'm going to be super good. I won't make things hard for her!"

"That's my guy. You're a very good boy." Jasper shifted his gaze back to Hester. "Go on inside."

Hester gave him a small nod. "Drive safe. Text me when you get home."

"Will do."

Hester turned and walked up the front steps, Caden's hand securely in hers.

Jasper stood by the Bentley, watching their retreating figures until the heavy mahogany door clicked shut behind them. He finally pulled his gaze away.

As he walked back around to the driver's side and reached for the handle, he paused.

He glanced up at the massive floor-to-ceiling window of the second-floor study. A tall, imposing silhouette stood perfectly still in the glass, illuminated only by the faint glow of the room behind him.

Jasper knew exactly who was watching.

Unfazed, he smoothly opened the door, slid into the driver's seat, and started the engine. The Bentley executed a flawless turn and melted away into the Northwood City night.

...

Inside, Hester asked Lena to get Caden ready for his bath. But Caden was clingy, begging Hester to read him a bedtime story. All the promises he had made to Jasper in the driveway had completely vanished from his mind.

Hester smiled, ruffled his hair, and agreed.

Hester closed the book, set it on the nightstand, and tucked the blankets snugly around his shoulders. She switched off the main light, leaving only the warm glow of a small nightlight.

Stepping out of the room, she closed the door with a soft click.

She covered a massive yawn with her hand. Her eyelids felt like they were made of lead. Running on sheer willpower, she dragged herself down the hall toward the master bedroom.

She pushed the door open and took exactly one step inside before freezing in her tracks.

Julian was sitting on the velvet sofa in the corner. He had a tablet in his large hands, his long legs crossed casually, and a pair of reading glasses resting on the bridge of his nose.

At the sound of the door opening, his finger paused on the screen. He slowly raised his head.

Behind the lenses, his dark, bottomless eyes locked onto hers.

Hester tightened her grip on the doorknob, fighting the urge to sigh out loud. If she had known he was going to be here, she would have just slept in the guest room.

Whatever. It didn't matter.

She was so utterly exhausted that she could probably fall asleep standing up. Whether Julian was in the room or not made zero difference to her.