“They didn’t, believe me. Andreas made them.”
“I see.” Huxley closes the lid on the tin with a soft metallicchuff. “Well, you needn’t run to them for money anymore.”
It takes me a moment to understand. “Are you offering to pay my mom’s medical bills?”
“Of course.” His gaze is cool and decisive as he looks at me.
“But…what about the prenup?”
“The prenup stands. But I can’t let your mother die over mere money. Nor will I let you subjugate yourself to abuse for it.”
“Thank you for the sentiment, but I don’t think you really understand what’s involved. The doctor is hopeful, but there’s no guarantee when—or evenif—she’s going to wake up. And you can’t stop paying even if you get tired of it, or if we happen to have a fight and you get pissed off at something I said.”
He stares at me like I just slapped him. “Do you think I’d let your mother die over that measly sum? Or because we had an argument?”
“Huxley… I honestly don’t know. Sometimes you’re so nice, I feel like I can trust you. But then, sometimes…you aren’t.” I pause for a moment, debating between full honesty and pretty lies.
Huxley’s expression is intent. He keeps his mouth flat and meets my gaze, his eyes unwavering.
I finally opt for full honesty, while choosing my words. “I’d like to think that you are a good and honorable man, but I thought the same about Nelson—only to be proven very,verywrong. He seduced my mom, who is much younger than him. He didn’t disclose the fact that he was married.”
Disgust twists Huxley’s face.
“It kills him that he has to be responsible for her care. Karie too, for that matter. I understand why she resents it so much, but I can’t understand how Nelson can be so cold and heartless toward a woman he must’ve felt something for to sleep with.”
I close my eyes and shake my head as the familiar anger surges. I indulge it for a moment, then push it aside. It isn’t helpful to dwell on it, not when Huxley’s waiting for me to continue.
“Maybe he’s just a sociopath, and Mom got unlucky,” I say softly. “I don’t know. It isn’t like he can’t spare the money. But to him, her life just isn’t worth saving. Not unless his father forces him.” I look directly at Huxley. “And if you ever decide to change your mind, who’s going to force you?”
Shock flares in his gaze. I’m not sure why. Maybe he still can’t fathom how a mere twenty-five thousand can mean so much. Or maybe he’s stunned at the possibility of being forced to spend a penny on a would-be wife he never wanted. Regardless, I want to reassure him I’d never depend on him for something this important. “You don’t listen to anyone much. Not your grandmother or your mother. The only person whose opinion seems to matter to you is Emma, but she doesn’t know who I am, and she might not care what happens to my mom.”
The more I speak, the darker the frown on his face.
“So I want you to understand, Huxley. It’s a huge gamble for me. I can wager my own wellbeing, but not my mother’s. She’s the only family I have.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Grace
I’ve definitely offended Huxley.
He didn’t say anything after I turned down his offer, but tension was pouring from him, to the point where I could barely breathe in the car. I’m not happy to have hurt his feelings, but risking my mother’s life simply isn’t an option.
“Thank you,” I tell him. “I’ll Uber to my place and grab my car.”
“It isn’t necessary. I’ll send you a car and have yours brought to the house.” His tone is gravelly, his jaw tight.
An instant refusal springs to my lips, but I swallow it. It’s not worth an argument. “Okay. Thanks.”
I take the elevator up to the Pryce Family Foundation. The place is bustling with energy already. Charitable work is more expensive and labor-intensive than people imagine. That’s why so many NGOs waste their resources, even without meaning to.
“Tell me the wall is broken.”
I blink at Tolyan’s curt greeting—or was that even supposed to be a greeting? It’s hard to tell with him. “Good morning. What do you mean?”
He points to my cheek. “That. You ‘ran into a wall,’ obviously. And the wall better not still be standing.”
“It is…sort of.”
