Page 14 of The Rebel Billionaire

“One minute,” I say, dabbing a tissue under my eyes to remove the makeup smudges.

“Harvey’s gone,” she says. “Elaine has made us some lunch. I’ll see you downstairs when you’re ready.”

I hear her retreat.

“You’ve got this,” I say, staring at my reflection.

I squeeze my eyes shut before blinking back the tears still threatening to escape.

Shit, there’s no time for tears. You need to suck it up, buttercup.

Turning away, I head back into the bedroom and straight out. Not wanting to watch the staff who are now sweeping what was once my pride and joy into rubbish bags.

I return to the main area.

“There you are,” Sophia says, motioning for me to take a seat on one of her white leather sofas.

“Thank you,” I say, wanting her to understand that, beneath the grief, I am grateful. “For everything.”

“I understand this is difficult, but hair can regrow, colour can be restored.”

I swallow hard at her words. I know what she’s saying is true, but watching my identity stripped away is more painful than I anticipated.

“Now you’ve been transformed, we need to look at next steps.” I stare at her as she smiles. “It’s not hard to see, you’re a confident, intelligent, outgoing young woman.”

Somehow, I’m not convinced she intends her words as a compliment.

“Now, you need to become less. Forget what it was like to be raised in money, attend the best schools. Now you’re average. You must follow the rules and take orders without complaint. Remember, trust no one and keep a low profile. Be polite, but distant. Don’t over share.”

I close my eyes. I know what she’s saying makes sense. Brooke would not sound like she comes from the Chelsea set. She’s a young woman from a normal home. She didn’t attend a private boarding school or hang out in private members’ clubs. She’s gone to the local pub, eaten in chain restaurants, and partied with friends at local discos in her hometown.

My new life suddenly feels alien. Adrenaline shoots through me, sending my pulse racing.

“And you need to stop pulling on your necklace.”

Her gaze drops to my neck, and my hand goes instinctively to my chain and pendant. I’ve worn it since my twenty-first birthday, when Mum gave it to me. Kat wears an almost identical one, but mine contains a ruby, my birthstone. It’s precious because although Dad was not alive to give it to me, I know he chose it, just like he chose Kat’s and the watches for my brothers.

Sophia holds out her hand. “I’ll keep it in my safe.”

I shake my head, but she’s insistent. “There’s no point in going to all this trouble to be tripped up over a piece of jewellery.”

Nausea hits. Bile burns the back of my throat, as I open the clasp and lower it. I blink rapidly against the sting of unshed tears, as I place it into Sophia’s outstretched palm.

It’s safe. It’s only for a short while.

She says nothing, simply gets up and disappears, leaving me sitting, staring out over the water. I swipe at my cheek, my fingers coming away damp.

She returns five minutes later, holding a St Clair pendant on a chain.

“Here,” she says. “I know it’s not as beautiful as yours, but it’s part of last season’s main collection, meaning no one will question you wearing it.”

She dangles the pendant from her fingers, pulling me out of my trance.

“It’s safer to take this than try to purchase a new one. I’ll keep yours in my safe. When all this is over, you can have it back.”

“I—” The words stick. Before I can say anything, she takes my hand, turns it over and drops the chain into my palm.

My fingers automatically close around it.