Abeni
Hey. Do you have a PR spin to handle all the media we’re facing right now?
Josephine
Hey. We should have a call about my retainer and the new legal fees that will arise from this. Are you available 9 a.m. New York time?
Marjorie
First they warned us about layoffs, and now everyone is wondering if the merger with Maison Valmont will even stand. What’s going on, Paige?
Juliet
Just saw the news. Everyone is talking about it at HQ. I don’t know anything about it, but I want you to know that people here know exactly who Benis. Don’t worry.
Nora
Hey. I just saw the news. I’m in your corner. It’s so wrong that your will would ever require you to be in love with a partner to gain your stake in the company. Is there a way to fight the original will? I’m sorry. Call me if you want to vent!!
Amber
I’m on your side! I know it might feel like everyone’s talking about you, but I promise it will die down. Call me if you want to talk about ANYTHING, okay?
CHAPTER 64
PAIGE
It’s a beautiful day for everything to fall apart.
The sun is shining and the mountains are almost an emerald green around the turquoise lake. Over breakfast, Rafe suggested taking the boat out for a spin later.Can I drive it?He kissed my neck, lingering there, and told me yes.
But then, at one o’clock Italy time, my lawyer calls me. I suppose that was a kindness, in a way. To hear it from them.
My uncle or one of his investigators found a way into my email account. Apparently I didn’t log out everywhere. That’s the only thing I can think of—that a stray laptop from Mather & Wilde has ended up in his hands.
He found my emails with Rafe.
The wild email I sent him months ago that kickstarted this entire thing.
Rafe and I didn’t marry for love, and with the email, my uncle has legal proof that I violated the rules of my parents’ will. I shouldn’t have received the additional ten percent stake upon my courthouse wedding.
And that would change the math of everything.
My stomach is churning with a painful sort of fear. This can’t fall apart. Everything I’ve done, the new direction thecompany is going, the newfound excitement in the team for new campaigns and ideas… the way everyone canbreathenow that Ben isn’t there suffocating them all with his vanity and ego.
All about to fall apart.
And all because of me. I’m the liability.
My phone is blowing up with texts. I’ve left it on the chaise in the living room and am pacing across the hardwood floor of Villa Egeria. Rafe isn’t home.
I’d tried calling him. I texted him too, and he answered right away.
Rafe
In a meeting. I’ll be home in fifteen.
He was in Milan today. So I pace, and wait, and try to resist the urge that wants to set my legs pumping and send me racing across the street. Go running, go swimming, go driving. Anything but stay right here.
