Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“He did it.” Paul cuts his father off, waving his arms around wildly. “He forged the documents to get me fired.”
All of this should not be shocking to me. Paul’s in bed with my father, and I know his business dealings aren’t on the up and up. Hell, I’m one of his deals.
“You were already fired,” the mystery man chimes in, and I peek over at him. His bright blue eyes are on me, and they are a stark contrast to his raven-colored hair. I think he’s baiting Paul, but I’m not sure why.
“We have you on camera,” Bruce says, and it’s like someone sucked the air out of Paul. He knows he’s done for, and all of his bravado melts away. “We’ve also got you on camera using drugs in your office and at the restaurant on the night of your party.”
“Oh my god,” Katherine whispers.
“It’s rehab or jail,” Bruce says with finality.
“You can’t be serious.” Paul lets out a humorless laugh as he looks around the room for help. “Sawyer’s framing me. He’s trying to take my job.”
“He already has your job.” The man in the corner shrugs. His demeanor is calm, but his eyes aren’t, and they are still on me.
“Shut it,” Bruce warns him.
“This is all your fault.” Paul grits his teeth, his focus going back on Chloe. “And that bitch. The day your money-grubbing mother showed up with you was the day I lost my father.”
“What the hell did you just say?” Bruce cuts in, but Sawyer holds his hand up to stop him.
“Let him get it out. He’s like a toddler that needs a good cry.” Blue Eyes snorts. “You’re a spoiled little shit that’s been fed from the family tit far too fucking long. You’ve done this to the only people who ever truly cared about you, and you’re not even sorry.”
“You motherfu—”
“Shut the fuck up!” Sawyer bellows, making the room fall silent. “You’ve got a chance to make this right.”
Paul blinks, and for the first time, I take notice of how big his pupils are.
“Your father is giving you the opportunity to do the right thing,” Sawyer tells him. “Take it.”
Chloe steps out from behind her husband, and he wraps an arm around her before pulling her into his side. “When you told me about the bet, I ran out on Sawyer,” she says to Paul. “You’ve always been so terrible to me.”
I have no idea what bet she’s talking about, but I’m guessing this has to do with the fistfight between Sawyer and Paul. It was over Chloe? It’s surprising when Paul actually hangs his head in shame. He never has anything nice to say about his stepsister. I thought she was going to be horrible until I met her, but then I realized Paul was jealous of her.
“You don’t deserve my forgiveness,” Chloe says softly “But there are big and wonderful things happening in our lives that mean more to me than holding a grudge. I hope you take this gift Bruce is giving you so that you don’t lose the chance to be a part of them.”
With that said, Paul finally breaks and says he’ll go to rehab. They don’t give him much time after that so he can’t change his mind. They get him out of the house and into the waiting vehicle while we stand silently in the entryway.
“I suppose the wedding is off,” Blue Eyes says, breaking the awkward silence. It takes everything in me to not glance his way because I can sense he’s staring at me. Again.
“Luke,” Chloe snips at him, and I peek in his direction.
“What?” Luke shrugs. “Probably for the best.”
Why does he sound almost gleeful?
“Postponed.” Katherine tries to lighten the dreary mood that has fallen around us.
I need to get out of here. “I...ah...” I wring my fingers together. “I don’t know, but I should go.”
“You don’t have to go,” Chloe says softly.
“I really should go. There are some things I need to take care of.” I dread telling my father and what his reaction will be. There’s already fear creeping up my spine. I didn’t want to marry Paul, but he was the best out of the bunch my father shuffled through.
“Oh, honey. Don’t worry about the wedding. I’ll call everyone and let them know it’s off for the time being.”
“Yeah.” That was so not what I was thinking about. “Right, thank you,” I say to Katherine and take a step back. “I’ll get my purse and be on my way.” When I go to the sitting room to collect my things, Chloe follows after me.
“Hey.” She’s still so nice, and I hate that I can’t give her more. “I’m sorry, but this is for the best. He can get healthy and then you two can be together.”
“We’re not going to be together.” What I don’t tell her is that my father will come up with a new plan before Paul returns.