“You can go on one condition.”
For a second, I thought he was going to agree without a fight, but this is Kieran we’re talking about. Of course, he wouldn’t make this easy for me.
“What’s the condition?”
“That we talk about the internship.”
“Kieran—”
“Don’t brush me off. You were so excited about this internship. You worked your ass off for it. Then suddenly, you don’t want it anymore? That doesn’t make sense.”
I swallow a groan.
He’s not wrong. Iwasexcited about the internship. But that was before I found out I was pregnant. But I can’t tell him that, at least not yet.
“It’s really not that big a deal.” I shrug. “Yes, it meant a lot to me, but things change. I’ve been thinking about what I really want lately, and back when I was under my father’s thumb, this sort of internship would have been a way for me to prove something to my father. To show him that I can forge my own path. But now? I don’t need to escape my life anymore, and I think the internship might have led me down a path I no longer want to walk.”
The words sound so convincing, even to my own ears. For a second, I almost believe them.
Kieran studies me carefully until finally he nods. “Of course, I would never force you to do something you don’t want to do, so if you’re sure you want to pass on this opportunity, then I’ll support you.”
I almost sob. “Thank you.”
“What about school? Are you thinking of changing your major?”
“I think I’m going to stick with it and then I’ll decide what to do once I graduate.”
If I graduate.
I force myself to smile even though it feels like my heart is cracking.
In a perfect world, I could do school and the internship and raise my child. But life is built on sacrifices, and it’s no longer about what I want. It’s about what’s best for my child, and beingaway from them for most of the day is not something I’m willing to do.
Kieran crosses over to me and wraps me up in his arms, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Thank you for being honest with me. That means more than you know.”
Guilt claws at my insides.
I’m being anything but honest, and he’s going to learn that soon enough.
The driveover to Lucy’s is far from enjoyable. My stomach is in knots, not just at the idea of seeing my brother for the first time since he told me he was betrothing me to Sean O’Keefe, but at the possibility of Kieran finding out.
At one point, I almost call the whole thing off and order Jace to turn the car around.
But then I think of Kieran and his brothers.
If Oscar asked to speak to me because he has information on Sean, I owe it to them to find out what it is.
Jace pulls up outside Lucy’s apartment building. “You can wait in the car.”
“No can do. Kieran’s ordered me to stay with you at all times.”
“Of course, he has.” I sigh as I get out of the car.
This plan is going to go to shit if Jace enters Lucy’s apartment and finds my brother standing in the middle of the living room.
“What about if you stay right outside the door?”
He huffs, slamming the driver's door shut. “Are you always so difficult?”
