“Lior, that man loves you. Maybe he didn’t intend to. But the first time I met him, I knew.”
I slammed my hand on the photos. “He didn’t deny these. The evidence is right in front of your eyes. Although I am sorry that you had to see it.”
“I’ll admit the first time I saw the photos, I had to sit down. No one wants to see their son-in-law in these…types of positions. I’m just glad they don’t show everything. But there’s something off about the photos. I can’t tell what it is, but I don’t think they’re real.”
“What do you mean?”
She frowned. “My first question would be. Do you think he’d cheat on you?”
“I didn’t think he would, but…” I pointed at the photos.
“My second question is about the timing of the photos and the article. Someone has planned this very carefully. Which brings me to suspect the photos might be fake.”
I hadn’t considered that.
“Oh my god, Mom. I didn’t consider that, and I don’t think he did either. If I was presented with these photos of myself, even I’d have admitted guilt.”
“Let me guess, that’s exactly what he did.”
Noah lied. He put me first because he feared the fallout of the article and the photos would lose me the company. His words at the end said as much—“I would do the same for you.”
I groaned. “I’m an idiot.”
“Funny, you did start this conversation telling me you were an idiot. I’m inclined to agree.”
“Wow, thanks for the motherly support.”
She shrugged. “I’ve been your mother for forty-seven years, as you so love to remind me. You should know me by now. My next question is, what now? I’m assuming you love this boy back.”
I smiled. “So much, Mom. I’ve never loved anyone more in my entire life. He captured my attention the first time I met him, and he’s had it ever since.”
“Do you know anyone who could look at these photos to see if they’ve been altered in any way?”
I thought about it for a while until the obvious answer came to me. “Yes. Noah’s brother, Lex. He’s the graphic designer the museum has been working with for the workshop campaigns. I can call him.”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
I leaned forward in my chair, cradling the empty coffee mug. “What do I do about the company? There’s no way the partners will believe me if I say the article is a bunch of lies. And what ifthese photos go public? Even after we confirm they’re fake, the public might not see it that way.”
“You need to call a meeting with the partners. For tomorrow if you can. In light of the article, I’m sure they’ll make time. We’ll fight this together. If they think they can get rid of you, they’ll have to get past me first.”
“Thank you, Mom. I’m not sure going all mama bear on that bunch of conservative greedy men will work though.”
Her lips curled up in a confident smile. “Your dad was not the only one with expensive attorneys on retainer. I’ve spoken to my attorney and he had a look at the company bylaws. As your father’s wife, and considering my role supporting him throughout his career in the company, I get first refusal on any shares that go on sale. That includes those of the partners. Only once I decline them can the partners make an offer. Guess who’s just inherited her husband’s vast fortune? Of course I wish I’d known all this when we were surprised with the new will. By the time I got the information, you were already married, and it didn’t seem relevant to bring it up.”
“Mom…” I had no words to describe my gratitude.
For the first time since I’d heard that I had to marry to inherit my father’s shares of the company, I felt confident in the future.
“I’m going to get Noah back too.”
“You better. He’s a good man.”
“He’s more than that.”
Noah
Iwas on my second glass of rum and Coke—hold the Coke—when my brothers, River, Emery, and Ellie all stormed through my front door using the key they had for emergencies.
