Anthony was always very short on information, even when I asked about our finances.
“You raise our daughter, and I’ll look after this side of things, sweetheart.”
Now...now I’m wondering if he was hiding something.The reality that hemusthave been is starting to dawn on me.
“Millions?Really?”Belinda asks, handing a toy to Zoe.
“I don’t know.It looks like it.What do I do?”
Belinda looks as bewildered as I do.“Is there a chance he was involved in something dodgy?”
I let out a dark laugh.“I doubt it.Anthony was more interested in his briefs being pressed right, and what was in the business media than...dodgy stuff.”
What dodgy stuff would he be involved with?
“Yeah, true.”Belinda shrugs.“He was pretty strait-laced.”
I chew the side of my mouth.
“He did like to gamble,” she adds.
“Do you mean when we went to Vegas?He didn’t spend all that much.”I frown.
“Are you kidding me?He was betting hundred thousand chips!”
My brows shoot up.
Anthony told me they wereten, not one hundred thousand bets.
“You didn’t know?”Belinda asks.
No.
But shame pours over me, and I don’t want to belittle my marriage or husband’s memory.Guilt starts to tug at me, and I shut down.
“The money has to be somewhere.”I tuck my feet under me.“I’ll find the account.”
Belinda gives me that sisterly look, and I tell her to leave it.
“This could be serious, Gem.What if someone stole it?”
I drop my face in my hands.Losing Anthony was bad enough.Losing Open Leaf and now this?I can’t deal with it.
I climb off the sofa and go into the kitchen, away from my daughter.Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I pour a glass of water.
“Hey, babe.”Belinda circles the counter and pulls me into her embrace.“There will be an answer.We will work it out.”
“What if there isn’t?”I sob into her shoulder.“What if I have to sell this place?”
“Then you do.You will do whatever it takes to keep a roof over your head, for Zoe,” she says firmly; then I hear her chuckle and pull back, offended.“Maybe he got caught up in the mafia?Probably offed someone.”
I stare at her, then burst into laughter.Snotty, delirious laughter.Because honestly, my life is a goddamn mess, and I wouldn’t be surprised at this point.
What’s clear is I need to accept Drew’s offer.
I need that money now.
God, I wish his arms were around me right now.For the first time since meeting the sexy billionaire, the guilt of desiring him has vanished.
