Page 84 of Let Me Love You

“Please, let me explain.”

She laughs, but it sounds more like defeat than happiness. “You, a businessman who can get anyone to buy his products, wants to talk your way out of this. No, absolutely not.”

Serenity reaches for the handle, but I say, “Wait. There’s something I do need to tell you.”

She stares at me, waiting.

When she doesn’t say anything, I take it as permission to continue. “I haven’t been able to tell you yet since you’ve been avoiding me.” She narrows her gaze, but I forge forward. “Because it took you so long to pay off the loans, interest piled up.”

“How much?” she asks through gritted teeth.

“Another five hundred thousand.”

Her eyes slam shut, and she pinches the bridge of her nose. I get the urge to reach out and comfort her but resist. Right now, she wouldn’t want me to touch her, and I’ll never do anything to make her feel uncomfortable. No matter how much that pains me.

“That’s why they won’t leave me alone?” Her voice is barely above a whisper. “I should’ve known.”

I interlock my fingers to keep them from tapping my leg. But I don’t say anything. It sounds more like she’s talking to herself rather than to me.

“I’ll use the extra money from the contract,” Serenity says in the most defeated tone.

No matter how much I try to do for her, it isn’t enough. No more cushion for Serenity in case she decides not to be with me. No more college fund for Summer, an innocent girl who did nothing wrong.

Paul keeps bringing Serenity more misery, and it undoes everything I do.

She looks up at me, and I nod. She’d probably punch me if I offered her more money.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she shakes out her arms, and says, “Let’s go try to enjoy the festival so we don’t ruin it for Summer.”

She opens her door and hops out. I follow, praying my single mistake didn’t screw everything up. But with her trust issues, I’m scared I have.

Chapter 37

Serenity

After my eight-hour shift, I collapse onto the sofa. My feet dragged the entire time, but I pushed through. Not even my shifts at the hospital made me so exhausted, and we were always understaffed.

Everything Victor told me at the festival has been running through my mind for the past two weeks. I can’t believe I owe them that much more money. The original sum wasn’t even that much. But if the loan sharks want it, why haven’t they done anything?

I’m grateful Victor didn’t try to throw more money at me. And now that I’ve had more time to sit and think about it, Sully offered to look into Victor for me, and I agreed. Maybe it was the fact Sully hasn’t gotten back to me about it yet that it felt like a violation.

Even so, being mad is unacceptable. It must’ve been more shock I was feeling rather than flat out anger. Then adding on top the extra money, I just couldn’t look at Victor anymore. He must think I have bad taste in men.

“Summer?” I ask from my spot. My limbs are too heavy to lift. “Where are you?”

A moment later, Summer and Annie come barreling into the living room. Summer giggles as Annie chases her around. As much as it makes my heart happy that she likes her nanny, I can’t help but doubt myself.

“Mrs. Barlowe,” Annie starts, and heat radiates through my chest at being addressed by Victor’s last name. “I was hoping I could talk to you before I leave today.”

The giddiness evaporates as I take in her frown. “What’s going on?”

Annie looks to Summer and says, “Can you go get the drawing you made earlier?”

Summer nods and runs off. Great. If she’s getting rid of Summer, it can’t be good.

Annie turns her attention back to me. “I have to give you my two-weeks’ notice.”

My heart falls to the floor, but I try to keep a neutral look on my face. “May I ask why?”