Page 48 of The Jaded Notes

The group thanks him as I lower into my seat. Trent remains beside me as they gather their belongings and file out of the room.

He taps the side of my leg. “Why did he make you stop?”

“I don’t know.” My stomach tightens.

I have a good feeling I know precisely why Jaxon didn’t want to hear more about my business strides. He probably thinks I’m a fraud and he wouldn’t be that far off base.

Trent rises to his feet once he’s packed up his computer bag. “What are your plans after?—”

“Livianna.” Jaxon slides his phone into his suit jacket pocket. “I’d like to speak with you alone.”

“Okay.” I face Trent. “I’ll text you later.”

“You better.” He slides his gaze between Jax and me. “I want to hear everything.”

I nod and pretend to be organizing my stuff. Trent leaves the room while I stay in my chair and wait for Jaxon to start.

He gets up, strides to the chair beside mine, and sits. “You need to decide whether to continue in the program or withdraw your participation.”

“Why would I leave?” I roll back my shoulders. “My company is doing better and gaining traction. I’ve structured everything just as the mentors have recommended. I’m following everything they’re teaching me.”

“And working on something you don’t believe in.” He lifts my sketchbook. “Your designs are fabulous, but you’re wasting your spot here.”

“Are you asking me to step down?” I keep my head up and my posture straight.

He needs to see I’m not walking away from this mentorship. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened in my life. I’ve grown professionally more than I ever thought I would, and that’s without his help.

Jax takes my hand in his, flips my wrist up, and exposes the bandage. “You know why you’re doing this to yourself and so do I. We’ve been through this. Until you let her out, you won’t hit your targets. You’ll never own that sector of the market.”

“My business is doing well.”

“For now.” He runs the pad of his thumb over a partially exposed scar and makes soft, circular motions over it.

A few moments of silence pass as we stare into each other’s eyes. His gaze is understanding but hard enough to tell me he won’t let me out of this.

“Jax, I can’t let my parents’ secret out.” My words come out faint and defeated.

“Why would confronting them mean their secret is out?”

I glance away and shake off the sting that’s aggravating my nose and eyes. “She needs to be seen and loved by the world, but I?—”

“Then let her out.”

I swallow and pray he’ll give me an answer that will push me forward. “What about my parents?”

“You’re not fourteen anymore, Livianna. What does it matter what they think? Besides, I bet they’d rather have you express Lehlani Rose than continue to hurt yourself. Talk to them and tell them why this is important.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You’ll never see success with your brand. It’ll die and never be known, just like your sister.”

I yank my arm away from his gentle touch. “Wow, that’s a dagger in the heart.”

“But the truth. Find your strength. Talk to your parents and unleash your dreams. Quit hiding Lehlani Rose in here.”

He taps my temple. “Stop making her bleed out throughyour wrists and let her be beautiful like she’s meant to be. Not some dreadful scar that only reminds you of something you weren’t responsible for.”

“But I was the one who killed her.”