“No,” Tom replied firmly. “Not until this morning, at least, not until Mr Andrews arrived. I’d... I’d already settled on the sum I wanted to offer you, Ari. I told you, I want to step up now.I want to reimburse you for the years you’ve struggled on your own, help out with all reasonable costs. Reine’s housing, her clothing, her schooling, her medical care—”
“I live inLondon,” Ari shook her head. “We have the NHS, I don’t pay for medical care. Her schooling is free. Don’t kid yourself, this—” she furiously thrust the cheque into Tom’s hands “—isn’t aboutreasonable costs. This is guilt money. Well, I don’t want it.”
“Ms Lightowler—” Mr Andrews began, but Ari spun angrily on her heel to face him.
“Tell Marnie to keep her nose out of my business,” she spat. “Reine and I are doing just fine, and we’ll keep on doing just fine, thank you.”
Mr Andrews gazed at her evenly. “Ms Lightowler, Marnie Somerset is not a woman to be trifled with, and she wants access to her grandchild—”
“And I intend on giving her that access,” Ari said, “but not like this. Reine and I are not for sale.”
Mr Andrews sighed. “The two of you need to settle this.” He picked up his briefcase and moved to the door. “Or, Ms Lightowler, you will be hearing from me again. I’ve given you fair warning.”
He left the room, his shoes clicking as he marched down the hall, and Ari turned back to Tom, who was gazing at her miserably. She stared back at him, meeting his eyes and holding them. After a moment, Tom slumped back into his chair.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked her, defeated. “What, Ari?”
“What a life you live,” Ari said sadly, shaking her head. “One where everything can be solved by just handing someone a cheque.”
“Welcome to my world,” Tom replied bitterly, his hands clenching on the table. “Welcome to my world.”
Ari gazed at him, tears pricking at her eyes. “No wonder you were so lost all those years ago. No wonder you ran. No wonder you hid.” She gestured to their palatial surroundings, the cold marble floors, the expensive wallpaper.
“I would have run from all this too,” she added, falling into a chair beside him.
“I was lost, all those years ago. But you found me,” he whispered, looking directly at her. “You found me.”
For a moment, his gaze felt too intense, and Ari tore her eyes away.
“What are we going to do?” she asked. “What now, Tom?”
When she chanced a glance at him again, he was staring at her with a melancholy smile.
“What?” she asked, puzzled. “What is it?”
“It’s just...” Tom began with a sigh. “It’s just, I think that’s the first time you’ve ever said my name this weekend without anger.”
“Tom,” Ari said again, and he was right, there was no anger in her tone. “It’s a good name. I always thought it was a good name.”
Tom gave a smile at that. “I like Reine’s name,” he said, and she knew he was changing the subject, veering away from any and all talk of himself. “You chose well, Ari. I can’t think of a name more perfect for her.”
She smiled back at him. “I nearly called her Millie. Millie Lightowler. Sebastian talked me out of it.”
“Maybe,” Tom cleared his throat. “Maybe, if you ever have more children...”
“No,” Ari answered at once. “Reine’s it for me.”
Tom nodded.
“You and Sasha...” Tom’s eyes snapped to hers “. . . you might have children. And then Reine... she... she would have siblings. She’d like that.”
Tom was looking at her oddly. “Look, Ari, about Sasha...”
But Ari didn’t want to hear it. She didn’t want to hear how easily and quickly he’d replaced her in his life.
“I’m sure you’ll be very happy,” Ari offered, trying to be kind. “Obviously, I won’t be able to plan your wedding now, but I’m sure Sebastian will do it. He’s never one to turn down a well-paying contract.”
“You think I should marry Sasha?” Tom asked, an odd tone to his voice. “Still? Even now?”
