“What do you mean good? With that kind of increase, I may as well file for bankruptcy.”
She sighs. “Perhaps that’s what we should have done the minute Dad bailed out.”
I slide off the stool. “How can you say that? He got sick.”
“Okay, but he got it into the state it was left in. You took the responsibility of saving it for him. Whatever for? It’s not like he’s coming back.”
I blink a few times, her words floating between us viciously. “I knew it was a mistake coming here.”
“What did you expect? That I will finance the operation? If I had ever thought it was agood idea, I would have offered help a long time ago. You need to stop idolizing Dad, and finally get rid of that stupid bistro and live your life.”
“I guess all daughters idolize their fathers but yours.” I throw her earlier words about her twins back at her. The stab doesn’t make me feel better, and I regret it immediately.
Tessa’s eyes water.
“I’m sorry.” Bowing, I shake my head. “I’m stressed and—”
“Cora, even if I wanted to help you, I don’t have any money.”
“What do you mean?” I look around her kitchen, which is at least three times bigger than the bistro.
“I mean I’m one of those stupid women without a prenup who is now at the mercy of her husband.”
Fuck. “I’m sorry.”
“I said I don’t want your pity. But take my advice and fucking close that bistro. Dad doesn’t care. Whatever you’re trying to achieve, it’s not worth it. Especially since you don’t want to do it.”
Especially since you don’t want to do it.
You never deserved any of this.
The two statements live rent-free in my head withrelentless dedication. They play on a loop when I get rejected for loans at two different banks. When I try to reason with the building manager.
Even when I finally confess to Celeste and Saar about my issues. All the while, I lie to them, feeling like shit, when I tell them my sister is stepping in and helping.
I love those women. Money would fuck up our relationship, and let’s be honest, it’s the only thing I have left.
Tonight is my next date, but I’m running a fever, so I canceled. Saar will understand. I’m in no shape to go out, even if I didn’t have this horrible flu.
Being tired, broken, and sick is the most potent combination for sadness. I’ve been feeling so sorry for myself, even Pitt and Clooney went to purr somewhere else.
I need to change my shirt and sheets, probably, but I can barely get to the bathroom. Unfortunately, nature calls, so I slide out of my bed to start the almost Olympic-level task that is getting to the toilet. Never has my place felt this big.
I rest on the sofa on my way, my bladder almost bursting, but the last few feet seem insurmountable. I’ve always enjoyed living alone, but I’ve only ever been this sick… well, never. What I would give for a roommate now.
I should call someone to help me. Where is my phone? I whimper when I realize it’s on my nightstand. In an absolute display of indignity, I collapse to the floor, ready to crawl toward the toilet, when a knock on the door draws another whimper from me.
The front door is closer than the toilet, so I shuffle to it. Still on my knees, I reach for the lock and twist it.
And then everything goes black.
Chapter 16
Xander
Caged lion.
That’s how I’ve been feeling since Cora’s door unlocked but never opened. Fuck, I’ve never been as scared or powerless as I felt when I found her collapsed on the floor.
