“Three million dollars is insulting.” She spins to face me, her perfectly manicured nail jabbing my chest. “You’re worth billions.”
“Yes, I’m worth billions. And when you came into my life, you were worth nothing. Some would say that I’m a fool for offering you anything to leave here. Now take it or leave it. The next offer might be zero.”
“I want twenty-five million. A house on Hedges Avenue and…”
“Then you need to find a rich husband.” I step around her, heading for the living room. Maybe if I keep moving,she’ll tire herself out. “What I’ve offered you is fair to someone who is here with no rights.”
“Fair? You promised me the world, Dominic.”
“And I’m giving you an apartment in Brisbane, the Mercedes, all the jewelry—”
“Trinkets.” She throws her hands up. “That’s what you think I’m worth?”
I check my watch. “Three million works out to around twenty thousand for each day we were together.”
“Together?” Her laugh is sharp, bitter. “We were never together. What was I, Dominic?”
The front door opens. Amara steps inside, freezing when she spots us.
My chest tightens at the sight of her. If only I was making her French toast again while watching her lick maple syrup from her fingers...
“Is everything okay?” Her voice is sweet, just like she is.
“Fine!” Helena yells.
“Keep your voice down,” I hiss at Helena.
“I don’t care who hears me!” Helena’s voice rises higher. “You think you can just throw money at me and I’ll disappear?”
“You’re the one wanting more money. Now stop being fucking greedy.”
Amara’s eyes flicker between us. She takes a step back, like she’s about to flee.
“Greedy?” Helena’s face contorts. “You’re the onewho—”
“Enough.” My voice drops low, dangerous. The tone that makes grown men shake. But Helena’s too far gone to notice.
I need to end this. Need to get Helena out of our lives. Because watching Amara edge toward the stairs, her face pale and uncertain, makes something primitive rise in my chest. Something that wants to protect her, shelter her.
Something that wants her.
But first, I need to deal with her mother.
Amara hovers at the top of the stairs, staring at us, a concerned expression on her face. I want to call out to her, tell her it’s nothing, but Helena’s tirade never ends.
“How can you throw away our life like this?” Helena’s voice drips with venom. “You think you can just buy me off? I deserve better!”
I turn to face her, irritation boiling over. “You’ll receive the official offer from my lawyer today. It’s a generous deal.”
“Fuck off!” she spits back, eyes blazing.
Before I realize what I’m doing, I grab her by the throat, my grip firm but controlled. “Watch your mouth,” I warn, my voice low and dangerous. “I could always have you disappear if you keep this up.”
She shrugs out of my hold like it’s nothing, fury igniting her movements as she storms across the room. “No court will let you get away with what you did,” she mutters under her breath.
I take a step forward, wanting to close the distance between us before she gets too far gone. “You’re making threats now?”
She whirls around, eyes wild. “I bet we are married, but you’ve destroyed the marriage certificate! You think you can just erase me?”
