I wanted to tell him that it didn’t matter, that I didn’t care. However, Knox made it very difficult not to care. At least about him. I genuinely liked him, and I got the feeling he was being sincere when he said he wished things had been different.
So I didn’t tell him that.
“What happens now?” I waved a hand. “I mean, for us. Not the money.”
“I’d very much like to get to know you, Laikyn. I’d like to spend time with you. I want you to meet Emily and Kieran. As for the money, it’s set up in a blind trust. The lawyer my father hired is someone he had complete faith in, and based on my conversation with him last night, he made the right decision there. Your money … it’s yours free and clear in fifteen days. The amount is in that envelope. He’s been investing it over the years, producing some rather impressive returns for you.”
The envelope was sealed, but that didn’t mean Knox hadn’t read it.
“No, I don’t know how much it is,” he said, as though he could read my mind. “It’s not my business. And that’s not the way I do things.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him, but I had no reason to call him out, so I didn’t.
“Rule married you because he wanted you to access that money as soon as possible. He didn’t bring it to my attention because he believed it would impact me financially.”
“Doesn’t it?”
Knox gestured toward the envelope. “Whatever money he left you is not something I’m privy to. I never knew about it. It was kept private for your protection. I think he partially did it so my mother couldn’t get her hands on it.”
I sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I’m divorcing Rule. He doesn’t love me.”
Knox chuckled. “Well, I disagree with you there, but that’s a topic for another time.”
I wanted him to elaborate, but he didn’t.
“As for a divorce, it won’t matter. It takes six months for a divorce to finalize in California, so even if you filed today, you would still meet the requirements for the trust to become yours.”
I stared at the envelope. “I honestly don’t care about the money. Maybe I will one day, but right now…”
“He loves you,” Knox said when I trailed off. “I only met him yesterday, but I saw it in his eyes, Laikyn. Everything he did, I have no doubt he did it for you. Not for himself.”
I couldn’t stop the tears that formed. “I want to believe that.”
And I honestly did, but why would I?
“Ask Creed,” Knox suggested. “He knows Rule, and he agrees with me.”
I knew that already. Creed told me as much yesterday.
I lifted my gaze to his. “So what am I supposed to do?”
“About?”
“Rule? Jinx?” I sighed. “Us.”
“I should tell you, I’m not the authority on relationships.”
“Is anyone?” I muttered.
Knox smiled, and there was more of that sincerity I saw before. “Stop fighting it. Just let it be. Trust me, it saves time.”
He sounded like he knew from experience.
“I suggest you go back to LA and confront Rule and Jinx. Tell them how you feel. How youhonestlyfeel and see where it goes from there.”
“If only it were that simple.”
“I think you’ll be surprised how far an apology goes when you mean it.”
