without it, he’s failed at every endeavor he’s turned his hand to.
The chairmanship of Wolfe - which is largely a figurehead role that is checked and balanced by an excellent board - is just the place to put him.
His father needs money, my father has it in spades.
My father needs political capital, his father is the bank that mints it.
We’re both just pawns they have found use for.
But unlike Duke, I’ve got other options. I’m not scared that if I left my family’s money on the table that I’d be destitute.
I’d wait tables. I’d give art lessons. I’d find a way.
The only thing keeping me here is baby Cameron and knowing that with the money I’ll inherit, I can make sure that she’s got someone in her life, other than her father, who can help her be more than what he wants for her. Like James tried to be for me.
Duke sees this money as his only option.
When he surprised me by proposing months ahead of schedule, I knew it was because he was feeling anxious about the money. He was smart. He did it in front of a group of people at his father’s house and made me saying no impossible.
Since then, he’s been avoiding being alone with me. He stood me up for dinner last week. He hasn’t returned any of my calls all week, instead sending texts saying he’d call me back. He didn’t. Now I hear he went to my father to talk about wedding dates.
Months ahead of schedule.
Just like his proposal was.
I’ve lost control of the situation. And I’m dreading this party my father is throwing us next week.
My phone buzzes with a text from my best friend, Dina.
“I’m here, your cunty housekeeper just let me in.”
I grin, genuine excitement welling inside of me for the first time in forever. She was here for James’ funeral, but couldn’t stay. Before that, she hasn’t been back to Winsome in years. In high school, she’d been my best friend. We’ve stayed in touch by email but while I was at my grandmother’s we weren’t in touch at all.
She’s already in the foyer when I get there. I start toward her, crossing the cavernous space as quickly as I can.
She looks up from her phone when she hears the clack of my heels on the floor. Her smile is already in place, but it falters when she sees my much altered appearance, confusion clouding her dark eyes for a moment before she shakes it off. Even if I wanted to talk about things with her, which I don’t, this isn’t the time. I haven’t told her anything about what happened last summer. I don’t know how to talk about Carter without telling her the rest of the what happened. How do I explain the six months where I fell off the map? So, she just thinks I was grieving at my grandmothers.
She was one of the first people I called when I got a new phone. We talk at least once a week, but this is our first time seeing each other since the funeral.
“Lizzy,” she squeals, her arms opening for a hug.
“Dina, hi,” I try to make my voice bright and relaxed, but it comes out like a squeak.
I look over my shoulder, half expecting to see my father standing there. He’s not, but the feeling that something is breathing down my neck spurs me forward.
“Great to see you,” I say cheerily as I speed walk past her, ignoring her open arms and heading for the front door as quickly as I can without actually running.
“Nice way to show it,” she mutters behind me but she catches up quickly.
“I’m sorry, I’ll explain,” I say in a hushed tone, not slowing down as we head for the door.
“Please be home before midnight,” my father’s disembodied voice floats out of the speakers that dot the ceiling in our foyer.
I nod at the command, smile my most agreeable smile, and hook my arm through Dina’s and pull her through the door.
“What in the world is that?” Dina whispers, her eyes are wide with surprise as she looks back over her shoulder. I pull the door shut behind us. Even though I know we’re alone now, I still speak in a whisper.
“Let’s get in the car. I’ll tell you everything.”
“Ohhhh-kay,” she drawls, a bemused expression on her face, but she unlocks the car and climbs in.
As soon as the door is closed, I slump in my seat and take a few