Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Lena,” I said, trying to be as empathetic as possible when she followed me into my walk-in-closet. “You’ve known from the beginning that I don’t want a relationship,” I continued, heading into my walk-in closet to slip on a suit.
The alarm system had clocked Brynn in before the sun had come up, as was our normal routine, and I needed to get to the office soon. Brynn was free to come and go as she pleased, and we usually started our weekday mornings getting set up for the day at my place. There were too many demands at the office, so this was the place we could get a proper, uninterrupted jump on the day.
She’d go over my itinerary, then discuss upcoming events I needed to confirm or skip, along with stock numbers and anything else that needed my attention. After that, we’d both head into my offices and continue to work through the day. She was, quite literally, my lifeline in every way that mattered.
I thought Lena would’ve been out of the house before she arrived, not that Brynn had ever acted like my casual relationship with Lena bothered her, but for my own sanity, I liked to keep the two separate as often as possible.
“We both agreed that with the kind of lives we lead,” I finally said, trying to focus my mind. It wasn’t easy when I knew Brynn could likely hear our discussion from wherever she was in the house. “That it’s nearly impossible to maintain a true connection.” Not to mention I had no intention of ever tying myself to anyone in that capacity.
Brynn’s face flashed behind my eyes, and I did everything in my power to scrub the thought from my mind.
Yes, I was committed to Brynn in a way I’d never been with anyone else, but she ran my life. I couldn’t function without her. Plus, she’d been my best friend since high school, securing her place in my life with her no-nonsense attitude and the way she hadn’t treated me differently just because my father had money.
“Sure,” Lena said as I stepped out of the closet, adjusting my tie. “I also know that you’re a brilliant businessman. How can you not see the win here?” She extended her arms as if to showcase herself, and yes, she was beautiful, there was no denying it, but her words weren’t matching that. “We could merge our companies, which you know would send stock prices soaring. We’d likely make a few million the day after the wedding.” She took a few steps toward me. “Every major news source would cover the union,” she continued. “Which would only help our branding, leading to more income.”
How was she worried about money? She had more money than she could ever spend in a lifetime. We both did.
“Everyone who is anyone would want to partner with us. And you know I’m an understanding woman, Weston,” she continued. “I wouldn’t mind sharing, if that’s what you’re concerned about.” She reached for me, but I took a step back.
The benefits she was describing, the life she proposed and the man she wanted me to be in it sounded a whole hell of a lot like someone else…someone I hated.
My father.
Memories swarmed me, making my chest tight. My mother crying in her bedroom because of another uncovered affair by my father, her loneliness practically seeping into the hallway. The way I had to step up and be there for her when my father left at a moment’s notice to some supposed work function. The way she tried to hide how much he hurt her for my benefit. The way he used to throw every single dollar in her face, saying she had every luxury at her disposal so she should be content to leave him to do whatever he wanted.
“Every reason you’re listing has to do with an idea of me, not actually me,” I said once I found the strength to crawl out of that headspace. It wasn’t often my father crept in there, but when he did, it made me angry all over again.
A laugh ripped from her lips, half amused, half angry. “Weston Rutherford, you aren’t one for grand declarations of love. Come on, we’re both more practical than that.”
“My last name isn’t up for discussion,” I said firmly, wanting to end this conversation.
“If you want this to continue between us you’re going to have to make a smarter decision!” she fired back, her voice rising to an octave that was grossly unnecessary.
“You’re throwing an ultimatum at me?”
“Maybe I am!”
I took a deep breath, cursing myself for not noticing her intentions sooner. If I would’ve paid attention, maybe I could’ve spotted the exact moment she went from enjoying what I offered her physically to wanting to sink her claws into my corporations. I could’ve ended it all right then and there.