Dameon’sfaceisredand his eyes wild. My heart thrashes against my rib cage as if desperately trying to break free.
“Dameon, what’s going on?” I repeat.
“You tell me,” he booms, flinging something hard at my chest. It hits me with a thud and clatters to the tiled floor. I squint at the object, trying to make out what it is before squatting down to pick it up. My face drops when I realize what I’m holding.
“Where did you find this?” I whisper.
“In our bathroom, Hailee. Don’t you dare play dumb with me right now!”
“I don’t understand,” I say, shaking my head. “This isn’t mine.”
“Don’t lie to me!” He’s shaking with fury, and his eyes bleed so many emotions it’s hard to pinpoint one.
“I’m not lying,” I mumble, confusion clouding my brain. Glancing at Beth, I see she’s white as a sheet. She’s picking at her nails, making the cuticle on her thumb bead with a drop of blood. A nervous tic she’s had since childhood. The sight of her anxiety manifesting physically again only adds to the heavy ball of dread forming in the pit my stomach. Then it hits me: Beth used my bathroom earlier to change into her swimsuit.
“I-I can explain,” I stammer, shifting my gaze back onto the furious man in front of me.
His eyes bore into mine, demanding answers. “You can explain? Sure, why don’t you start with how you’ve been spying on me and secretly feeding your stepfather confidential business information.”
I stop breathing, and my jaw drops open. I know I need to explain myself, but I can’t find the words. It’s as if my brain has decided to abandon ship, leaving me to sort out this mess alone.
“I trusted you. We started this relationship weeks ago.Thatwas the time to come clean and tell me everything.” His voice is heavy with disappointment, and he shakes his head. “You’re just like your mother.”
“I’m nothing likeher!” I snap, his insult jolting my mouth into action.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner then, huh? Because if you did, you knew I would have kicked you and Beth out. And without the contract in place, she would have gone without the rehab, training, nurses, and all the support I’ve provided. You’re a user… just like her.”
I blink back tears, my vision blurring with each fresh new wave.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You’ve caused two major mergers to fall through, costing me billions. Worse, you made me look like a complete idiot.”
“I only took one photo…” I sniff.
“I don’t want to hear it! You lied to me and manipulated me. After everything I went through with Mia, I can’t believe you would betray me like this. Did you ever give a shit about me at all?”
“Of course I do! I love you!”
“This is fucking bullshit,” he mutters under his breath, running a hand through his hair. He looks back at me, hands on his hips, and shakes his head. “No pussy is worth billions.”
I suck in a sharp breath. All I can do is stare at him in utter disbelief. His words pierce me like poison-tipped arrows and I’m numb, speechless. Beth shuffles on her feet beside me, drawing me out of my head.
“Get the fuck out of my house,” he says again, defeated, refusing to spare us another glance as he strides back inside. I watch him retreat, taking a piece of my broken heart and the other half of my soul with him. But now isn’t the time to confront him and untangle this mess. Beth needs me, and she’s my number one priority.
“Come on, Beth, let’s get out of here,” I murmur. We gather our beach bags and make our way to the elevator, descending to Beth’s apartment one floor below. Inside, we slump on the couch, enveloped in a heavy silence. After a few moments, I glance at Beth. She’s still pale as a ghost, her breaths heavy and her body trembling.
“Here,” I say softly, rising from the couch to grab a throw pillow. “Lie down, Beth.” I guide her gently, helping her settle her head on the pillow. Grabbing a blanket from the armchair, I cover her before heading to her room to find something we can both change into. Thankfully, Beth and I are similar in size. I slip into a pair of sweats and pull a T-shirt over my bikini and grab a set for Beth as well. As I’m about to head back into the living room, the doorbell rings and a surge of hope spikes in my chest.
“Put these on.” I thrust the clothes into her hands and dash to the door. I swing it open it in a flurry, and my heart sinks to see Kev standing there, his expression unreadable. It was stupid to hope Dameon would be on my doorstep.
“Dameon wanted you to have your purse and your personal items,” Kev says, handing over my handbag and an overnight bag.
“Kev, I don’t know what he’s told you, but I’ll explain everything when I work out what’s going on. I’ll make it up to Dameon,” I promise.
“It’s not my place to get involved, ma’am,” he responds, avoiding my gaze.
Ma’am.
Tears well up in my eyes at the thought of disappointing Kev and Martha. They’ve been like parents to us during our time here. Beth and I have grown close to them, and it hurts my heart to know they’re hurting as well.
