Chapter 2

2: 2

The line went quiet for two seconds. He didn't ask why.

That was my father. My feelings always came first.

Not like Nigel. Seven years of scheming and lies.

He was the only man in this world who was good to me and wanted nothing back.

I still remembered how it started. In college, I was the one who noticed Nigel first.

Back then his family had money too, enough to stand level with the Farleys.

I'd told myself the gap wasn't wide, and only then did I dare to love him with everything I had.

Later the Gilberts' investments failed, and overnight two-thirds of their assets vanished.

My parents never said a single slighting word.

If anything, they treated him better.

They protected his pride at every turn.

Afraid he'd sit there choking on it, they even went out of their way to steer projects and connections to him.

Looking back now.

I'd fed a wolf with my own hands.

All because I was too stupid, too naive.

Seven years, and I'd believed every lie out of his mouth.

"As long as you're sure, that's all that matters. Don't force yourself."

My father's voice was steady, full of quiet backbone.

"If the sky falls, your mother and I are still here to hold it up for you."

My nose stung all at once, and my eyes started to burn.

All these years, home had always been my last way out.

But this mess came from my own bad judgment of people.

There was no reason to make my aging parents clean up the wreckage for me.

"Dad, don't worry."

My voice was firm. "This is my problem. I can handle it myself."

He didn't press any further, only said to reach out anytime.

I hung up and leaned against the car door for a while.

The night wind was cold, just enough to blow me clear of my own foolishness.

I scrolled to my private secretary and called.

Two rings, then a clean, brisk voice.

"Ms. Farley, it's late. Is there something you need?"

I went straight to the point, no small talk.

"That company Nigel and I opened together, my name's on some of the founding shares, isn't it?"

The secretary paused, then answered quickly.

"Yes, Ms. Farley. Though the percentage isn't very high."

"That's enough."

I tapped my fingers on the car door, my voice cooling.

"In the past few years, who has that company worked with most closely?"

The secretary pulled the data and gave it to me straight.

"The main partner is the Gilbert Group. About seventy percent."

Of course.

Even the last shred of hope was gone.

He'd had it all worked out from the very start.

Using the joint venture as a springboard, hollowing out the Farley resources.

Then turning around and pouring every bit of it into the Gilberts' pockets.

"I need two things done right now."

I began laying out the instructions clearly.

"First, pull every share under my name out."

"Second, cut every partnership with the Gilberts."

"Cut it clean. Don't leave a single thread hanging."

The secretary clearly froze, surprise in the reply.

"Ms. Farley, if we pull out and sever ties now."

"The books will take a loss of at least ten million!"

Ten million.

Before all this, maybe I'd have weighed it, thought it over.

But now it just struck me as absurd.

Seven years of love, and I'd nearly thrown away myself and my whole family.

This much money, call it the price of a lesson.

Paying to see a person clearly. Worth every cent.

"I don't care how much we lose."

"Even if it's a hundred million, you cut it for me."

"Do it tonight. I want results by tomorrow."

Hearing how set I was, the secretary agreed at once.

I hung up, pulled the door open, and slid into the driver's seat.

The car was quiet, nothing left but my steady breathing.

I lifted a hand and rested it lightly on my belly.

The little life in there was only two months along.

I used to picture him being born into a whole family.

Now I was grateful there was still time.

Far better than bringing him into the world with a liar for a father.

I started the car and drove toward the villa.

The moment I got home, Nigel's text came through.

[Sweetheart, are you home yet?]

[Tomorrow's our big day.]

[I still can't believe it. It doesn't feel real.]

I stared at the screen and laughed out loud.

Seven years of careful scheming, and tomorrow it would get its grandest finale.

My finger tapped lazily at the screen, and I sent one line back.

[It really doesn't feel real.]

He didn't catch the mockery in it.

He was still playing the devoted fiancé.

[Don't be nervous. I'll be right beside you the whole day tomorrow.]

[Holding your hand, for the rest of our lives.]

I looked at those two lines and my stomach turned.

The rest of our lives?

As if he deserved that.

But the act had to go on. I couldn't tip him off.

So I swallowed the disgust and sent back two words.

[Okay.]

Then I thought about it and added one more line.

[Looking forward to tomorrow.]

Sent, I tossed the phone onto the passenger seat.

I couldn't wait for tomorrow's wedding.

Couldn't wait to watch him stand up there, waiting to run off with Tania.

And then watch his beautiful dream shatter, right before his eyes.