I run a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up. “I don’t know, okay? I haven’t figured that part out yet. But I’ll find something. Bartending, security work, hell, I’ll deliver packages if I have to.”
“All of which would pay a tiny fraction of what you’ve been making.”
“I know that,” I snap, then immediately regret it. “I’m sorry. I know how this sounds. Impulsive. Irresponsible. But I had to make a choice tonight, and I chose Sora. I’ll have to figure out the rest.”
Rina’s dark eyes soften almost imperceptibly. “You’re giving up financial security for a woman you barely know?”
“It’s not just about Sora.” I pace the length of the Persian rug. “It’s about me. Who I am. Who I want to be. For years, I’ve justified this job because it was the only way to keep my life from falling apart. But now…” I trail off, struggling to articulate the shift I feel inside.
“Now it’s keeping you from building the life you actually want,” Rina finishes for me.
I nod, grateful for her understanding.
“Sit down, Hawkins. You’re making me dizzy.”
I comply, sinking into the chair opposite hers. The fire pops and hisses between us, casting dancing shadows across the bookshelves lining the walls. There’s an entire row of old academic books, from Rina’s teaching days. The days I knew her as Professor Colt.
“I’m sorry to let you down,” I say quietly. “After everything you’ve done for me. You saved me when I had no other options. I’ll never forget that.”
“I know what you’re thinking, and you are not in my debt. You did a job, you were compensated. I’ve never pitied you, Forrest, and I respect your choices.”
A small, reluctant smile tries to tug on my lips. It barely succeeds. “You sure? I’m not close with my mother, but if I were, I imagine the look on your face right now would be similar to what I’d see if I’d deeply disappointed her.”
Rina places her glass on the side table, leaning forward to meet my gaze directly. “On the contrary, I’m incredibly proud of you.”
That catches me off guard. “Proud? I’m bailing on you, on my responsibilities?—”
“You’re choosing integrity over convenience. Don’t misunderstand me—I’m not saying there’s anything inherently wrong with what we do. But it’s clearly no longer right for you. And recognizing that takes courage.”
I feel something tight in my chest begin to loosen. “So…you’re not mad?”
“Oh, I’m furious about Marianne Wescott. I’ll have to send Saylor or Marcus to salvage that disaster, and I just know she’s going to be insufferable about it.” She waves a dismissive hand. “Butatyou? No, I’m not mad.”
She rises gracefully, crossing to a sleek desk in the corner of the room. From a drawer, she withdraws a manila folder, which she hands to me before returning to her seat.
“What’s this?” I ask, opening it to find what looks like legal documents.
“A way out,” she says simply. “I’ve been thinking about this for weeks.”
I scan the first page, confusion mounting. “These are loan papers.”
“From my personal accounts, not the business.” She meets my startled gaze calmly. “Enough to pay off Sean’s firm and keep Dakota in her school through the end of the year. That should give you time to find your feet.”
Shock renders me momentarily speechless. It’s nearly a million dollars. “Rina…I can’t accept this.”
“You can, and you will.” Her tone brooks no argument. “Instead of being indebted to Sean, you’ll be indebted to me. The difference is, I’m not going to blackball you out of the legal industry. Go take the bar. Find a good job. I’ll do as much damage control as I can. Not every single law firm in the city is under Sean’s reach. We’ll find you something.”
“But it’sa lot, Rina. I don’t know when I can pay this back. This is more of a gift than a loan.”
“It’s not a handout. You’re a big boy, Hawkins, and this is the real world. The interest rate is favorable but not charitable. Let’s both assume you’ll be paying me back for quite some time.” A hint of mischief flashes in her eyes. “I may be proud of you, but I’m still a businesswoman.”
I stare at the papers, struggling to process what she’s offering. “Why would you do this for me?”
Rina is quiet for a long moment, staring into the fire. When she speaks again, her voice holds a note I’ve never heard before—something raw and honest.
“Do you know why I started this business after my divorce from Sean?”
I shake my head. “Revenge?”
