Damn him if he didn’t have a point. “No.”
“Only you can do something about it. I can tell the one truth is that Vanessa makes you happy. Consider that while you’re trying to determine the rest of your life.”
“Hmm… Maybe I will think about it.” I studied the liquid in the glass, taking a deep breath. “I shouldn’t have blamed you for Caroline. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay. Like I said, I blamed myself. What you did with Caroline Manor is amazing. She would be so happy.”
“I think you’re right. Maybe you can drop by some time and take a tour with me.”
“Only if you bring Vanessa.”
Huffing, I knew everything my brother had said was right. I just didn’t know how to tell her how I felt.
Vanessa
Six hours later, with Amelia’s investigative help, I headed into the hotel, avoiding any eye contact. With my dark shades and my hair pulled up, I felt confident I wouldn’t be recognized, but I wasn’t taking any chances. This was first on my agenda. Dealing with my father would be next. I wanted to calm down before I talked with him.
Right now I would wring his neck and tell him exactly what I thought about him.
A beep on my phone indicated a message. I’d turned it back on, hoping to find a message from Christian.
Not one.
Even now, the tiny bit of excitement I felt fell flat when I noticed it was a spam risk. One thing was clear. My father wasn’t going to confess his sins. Of course not. I wanted to ruin him.
Did that make me a horrible person? Maybe, but honestly, I didn’t care any longer. He not only couldn’t care less about Donovan, he’d also done his best to tarnish both my and Christian’s reputation all because of money and the big win.
Money.
I couldn’t stand it.
As the elevator reached the top floor, I took a deep breath. At this point, I had nothing to lose. This was the least I could do for Christian. It’s what he’d wanted in the beginning.
Not a relationship.
Not me.
I’d been his fake wife. As I walked down the hall, I twisted the ring. The ache was even worse than it had been before. The saddest part was that in seeing his chivalry in coming to my rescue and protecting me against the reporters, I’d felt such deep emotion coming from him I’d been floored.
And I’d swooned for an entirely different reason.
Sighing, as I reached the hotel suite door, I took a deep breath, plastering a smile on my face and knocked.
Not long after, the door was opened.
“Ms. Blair. I’m surprised to see you.” Andres Lopez glanced in the hallway as if expecting to see Christian.
“Don’t worry. I’m alone. Would it be alright if I talked to you for a few moments?”
“We’re getting ready to leave for the airport in just a few minutes.”
“I know. You’re headed to Atlanta to see my father. I think there are a few things you need to know before you go. This won’t take long.”
He hesitated and I noticed Triana standing off to the side.
“Let her in, Andres. I’d like to hear what she has to say.”
After nodding, he opened the door.
