The.
Fuck?
My ears rang and I was fairly certain the world around me spun.
A slow sinking feeling started in the pit of my stomach, steadily crawling its way through my body. I’d wanted this for so long and was so damn confident I’d get it, I never prepared myself for a different outcome.
In a matter of seconds, I went through every conversation we’d had, and not once had he hinted at the fact I wasn’t in. I didn’t get it. And my damn ego wouldn’t let me ask either.
In need of fresh air, I slipped out of the conference room. I didn’t get very far when Mr. Livingston called me. Every part of me wanted to keep going. To get as far away from there as possible.
Instead, I met him where he stood.
“I’m sorry, Tristan,” he said. “I fought as hard as I could but…” He shook his head in that same disappointed way Rafe had earlier. “Every employee represents the firm, but the partners have a spotlight on them at all times. And unfortunately, the majority of the board feels your actions aren’t those of a wholesome family man.”
Surely I hadn’t heard right. They were seriously not making me partner because...what? I didn’t have a wife and two-point-five kids? Or maybe my fucking father got to them.
“So I didn’t make partner because—”
“Your romantic endeavors are...questionable.”
“Right.” I gritted my teeth. “Because I don’t have my significant other on display like Lewis, I lost out on something I worked so hard to earn?”
A flash of embarrassment washed over Mr. Livingston’s face. “My vote was for you. But…” He closed the distance between us and lowered his voice. “If you’re saying you’ve been in a committed relationship all along, I’d urge you to consider making this news public.” His gaze met mine. “Especially in the coming weeks when the board gets to know you and Lewis on a more personal level.”
My jaw hit the floor. Was he saying what I thought he was?
“Mr. Livingston—”
“Have a good day, Tristan.” He took one step before looking at me over his shoulder. “And please send my regards to yoursignificant other.”
With that bomb, he slipped into the conference room, leaving me to wonder what the fuck just happened.
Chapter four
Kate
Insubordination wasn’t a good look. But in my defense, if Tristan really thought I’d stay and wait for him to ask me why I was sad, he was freaking delusional. I had no idea what had gotten into him, and I wasn’t sticking around to find out.
Hopefully, he’d party so hard with his friends after the announcement, he’d forget all about it in the morning. And he could go back to annoying me instead of saying my name with such a pained expression, I’d felt a crack behind my rib cage.
Weird how it had affected me so much. Even weirder how I’d had this desire to unload on him. Thank heavens, I’d kept my mouth shut long enough to remember who the heck I was talking to.
A world where Tristan Blake was someone’s shoulder to cry on didn’t exist. Unless he got something out of the deal. And that was one line I wasn’t willing to cross. Not with him.
Never with him.
“Ugh.” I groaned. “Why is he taking up so much headspace right now?”
Clearly, my thoughts needed a new direction. Only problem was with my brain not focused on Tristan’s odd behavior, my mind drifted to the damn dark cloud hanging over my head.
I’d called Mrs. Humphreys earlier and asked her to give it to me straight. She had, and my entire world came crashing down at my feet. According to her, it would be easy for Taelyn to prove to a judge I was unfit to raise Millie.
I worked long hours. I had no partner to help. And even though I didn’t have financial troubles, I wasn’t as well-off as Taelyn and her husband.
Taelyn who didn’t want a damn thing to do with Millie until she grew tired of all the fertilization treatments and figured it’d be easier to take her sister’s child.
Millie.
