Remorse (Rhodes #0.5) - Rina Kent Page 0,2

Eva.”

“After you made me!” I hit his chest, tears of self-loathing barging into my eyes. Why couldn’t I just erase him? Why am I falling into his trap again, unable to stay away?

“I begged you to stay.” His expression turns sombre as his most fearsome part emerges. Anger, pure and lethal. He rarely shows that emotion, but when he does, it’s better to run the other way. “For the first time in my life, I begged someone, but you still left.”

A bitter smile leaves me. “Is that why you’re angry? Because someone told the mighty Arthur Rhodes no for once?”

“You know that’s not it.” He reaches for me again, but I hold a hand up.

“No. I don’t want to hear it. I’m returning to Manhattan soon, so let’s pretend this never happened.”

A gleam shines in the depth of his eyes. “We will see about that.”

“Arthur,” I warn. If he sets a goal, nothing will stop him. “Just leave me alone.”

He removes his jacket, and his muscles flex against the fitted dress shirt. With infinite care, he leans to place the jacket on my shoulders.

His lips find my ear, and he whispers in hot sultry words. “Never, Eva.”

Chapter 2

The following day, my father strolls into my office wearing an infectious smile I’ve been hoping to see again. I shift my gaze from the numbers on the computer screen and smile back.

He sits on the chair opposite mine and fixes his grey tie which complements a double-breasted grey suit. Dad never wore double-breasted suits when he was younger. After he married my mother, and she took care of his appearance, he started to only wear those types of suits.

That’s why marriage is important to me. I want to live a story like my parents’. Even after Mum’s death, my father still loves her and never thought about replacing her.

A pang of guilt overwhelms me. If only I stayed by his side back then. Losing his wife was already too much, but I forced him to lose his only daughter as well. I hope it isn’t too late to fix my mistakes.

“I assume there is good news?” I ask.

“Why, yes.” He runs a hand through his blond hair, which he passed down to me, spiked with white strands. “My friend from the bank called and he’s willing to give me more time.”

“That’s a relief.” I walk to sit across from him. At least his friends didn’t turn their backs on him. But this is only putting a bandage on an infected wound he will have to amputate sooner or later.

My father meets my gaze, his tame blue eyes are worn out and old. He seems to have aged ten years since my mother’s death. “You think postponing is a waste of time.”

I wince. He’s always been the best at reading me. Perhaps that’s why he knew I had to leave back then.

As a matter of fact, I still do. That encounter with Arthur had me tossing and turning in bed all night, hugging his jacket close to my chest and reliving it over and over until I thought I was going crazy.

That’s not right.

“You know.” My father’s gaze roams around my old office with vintage furniture. “This company was mine and your mother’s dream. We agreed to build a business that will keep us and our descendants happy for generations to come. And now, I failed her. I failed you. I’m so sorry, darling.”

“Oh, Dad.” I sit by his side and take his hand in mine. “You didn’t fail us. You have so much integrity and that’s what caused you to be scammed. It’s not the end of the world.”

He hangs his head. “How will I face her after I’ve lost everything?”

“Dad…” My heart breaks for the sadness in his voice, realising how indifferent I’ve been to his suffering. It is possibly the end of the world for him. This company is the last thing he has of Mum and I just spoke so nonchalantly about it.

Goodness. I’m so foolish sometimes.

I can’t watch my father deteriorate any more than this. His heart condition is already dangerous. If he has to announce bankruptcy, it could be the death of him.

Tears form in my eyes as I clutch his hand tighter. “Did Sophie arrange any other blind meetings for me?”

“No need to do them anymore. I know you hate them.” He pats my hand. “I’m sorry I made you go through them, darling.”

“It’s fine, Dad. I don’t care.” I will just have to marry and