“So, you never wanted to be the CEO?”
“What I wanted didn’t matter. The responsibility fell on my shoulders. No way my father was letting his other son walk away from our company.”
“How old were you when Kian left?”
His jaw tightens. “Twelve.”
Anguish and anger waft off him. I want to hug him, but all I say is, “I’m sorry your brother walked away. I know more than anyone how it feels.”
The older siblings are a friend and a parental figure combined in one. They’re your biggest protector and confidante. Losing them is akin to losing a limb. Becoming separated because of backstabbing, misunderstandings, and fights iscrueler than losing them in death. Because you know they’re out there, but you can never go to them.
My second chance with Bianca is like a lifeline to me.
Nathan turns his head, his eyes mirroring the hurt and guilt in mine. “Why did you push Bianca toward a marriage?”
Of course he knows. Iris must’ve told him.
“So many reasons,” I say with a hollow laugh. “I was selfish. All I cared about was my happiness. I put Aryan before her. I felt stuck because I knew Papa would never marry me off before Bianca. Aryan kept scaring me that he can’t wait forever for me and that his parents will soon start looking for girls for him. When I look back at it now, I feel so stupid. If Aryan truly loved me, he would’ve stood up to his parents. Like Bianca did for Dash. Aryan was full of red flags I didn’t notice. And I ended up hurting the one person who loved me unconditionally that she would sacrifice herself for me.”
I don’t realize I’m crying until Nathan brushes my tears away. He has shifted closer to me without my noticing. Curling an arm around my shoulders, he tugs me into his side.
“You have her back in your life. It all worked out.”
“I regret all of it.” I sniffle. “It’s my fault my family is broken up.”
“Don’t blame yourself, angel. You were in love.” Rubbing the length of my spine, he utters the brutal truth. “For all I know, it’s your father’s fault. He’s the one who asked Bianca to choose between your family and her husband.”
“He blames me for my broken engagement too,” I whisper, snuggling against his chest. “He hasn’t spoken to me since, unless it’s to warn me not to bring more shame to the family.”
“Your father is a piece of work.” His hold on me tightens. “He doesn’t deserve you as a daughter.”
“Neither does your father deserve you as a son.” Tilting my head until our eyes meet, I say, “He pressured you into working in the family business, didn’t he?”
A faraway look descends on his face. “Something like that.”
“You’re not a kid anymore. You can walk away and do something else if your heart isn’t in Singhania and Sons.” It’ll solve all his problems, especially his father’s alleged covert attempts to damage his career.
“You know I can’t do that, Ari,” he replies in resignation. “There’s too much at stake.”
“But you aren’t happy.”
“I haven’t been happy in a very long time.” His voice is low and lifeless. “I’m used to it.”
An agonizing pang hits my chest. How long has he been suffering and no one noticed? I’ve known and felt it from the first moment I met him.
Nobody can convince me that Nathan is a manipulator or a bad man I need to stay away from.
I decide right here and now that I will fix him and give him all the happiness in the world that he deserves.
I’m going to tear down your walls until I see all your scars and heal you, Nathan.
“That’s unacceptable.” I cup the side of his face, running my thumb along his square jaw with light stubble. “Tell me… what can I do right now to make you happy, even if it’s for a moment.”
His hand comes up to rest on mine. His brows knit together in anguish. “I can’t let you make me happy, angel.”
“Why not?”
“You know why.”
