Destiny nods as if she understands exactly what I didn’t say. She peeks at the shop and back to me, biting her lip.
“You’re a good guy, Henry. I—fuck. Do you know why they call you Prince?”
Something pinches in my chest. “Because I come from a lot of money.”
She nods again. “Right. That’s part of it.”
I raise an eyebrow. “And the other part?”
“It’s short for Princess,” she says glumly. “They all say it behind your back. I—just think you can do better and I don’t think you should give them any money your father gives you.”
My stomach turns. “Why are you telling me this now?”
She smiles, a hint of sadness to it. “You have always been kind to us. Never demanded, always respected our limits. I got a job offer at the university back home. I’m leaving in a few hours. I just thought you should know.”
I pull her into a hug, kissing the side of her head. “You always were too smart for the lot of us.”
Destiny laughs into my chest. “It was kind of fun while it lasted. But it’s time to grow up.”
I hum. Yeah, I don’t think she’s the only one.
Chapter 3
Natalie
Wiping my mouth,I flush down the slush of puke gathered in the toilet. It’s been nonstop for days, and the truth is becoming glaringly obvious. My eyes flicker up to Sarah, who is watching me with concern at the door frame. She’s the house manager, and my only friend.
“Shall I call a doctor?”
I nod, moving to the sink and cupping water to rinse out my mouth. “A different one from Jeoffry’s. Probably…an obstetrician.”
She dips her head in acknowledgment and leaves me. I lean against the cold counter, fatigue wearing me down. My body, my heart, my mind.
Jeoffry’s health has declined to the point of no return. His lawyer advised me to make a decision on whether or not to essentiallypull the plug.
My hand slides to rub at my belly. If what I suspect is true, then my baby’s father would never forgive me. I need Jeoffry to die ofnatural causes, not me removing him from life support. Henry would never see it any other way than me murdering him.
My ringing phone startles me, and I frown at the caller ID. I haven’t spoken to my father’s lawyer since before I got married when we signed a quick prenup.
“Martin?” I answer.
“Natalie. Are you alone?” The urgency in his voice has me concerned. I grip the counter tighter. “Yes. What is it?”
“I’ve met with Nathaniel, on behalf of your father. We were going over Jeoffry’s will last night and I felt obligated to warn you.”
My heart sinks. Nathaniel is the lawyer Jeoffry and my father share for common business indentures. I wasn’t aware Jeoffry had a will, at least not one he discussed with me. I thought the prenup squared everything away. “Warn me about what?”
“He inserted an inheritance clause. You are to receive only 10 percent of his entire estate per the prenup. The rest is going to his heir.”
My eyes squeeze shut, feeling foolish that Jeoffry’s son had come for any sentimental reason. “That’s why Henry has been?—”
“Henry has been disowned and is no longer recognized as his heir.”
I’m stunned silent for a moment, struggling to understand. “If not, Henry. Then who?”
“That’s the thing, there’s no specification. It would allow anyone to contest they are an heir.”
I gasp. “Are you saying Jeoffry may have illegitimate children running around? And they could inherit nearly his entire estate?”
