Page 89 of Broken Vows

“Anna tried, she really did,” he says, focusing on the ground. “She hired lawyers, worked with her grandmother’s team, brought in international consultants, we—”

I stand up and move to the door. I don’t need to hear a single other word. Whatever he has to say it doesn’t matter because he’s getting married, and this is over, and my heart feels like a razor blade is slicing at the muscle.

“Lexie, wait.”

“You promised me, Theo,” I say as my trembling hands strap my purse across my shoulder. “You promised me that everything was fine and all I had to do was be patient and not fucking worry. How many times did you tell me not to worry?”

“I know, I know. We thought we could find it. Anna’s lawyers—they found a loophole, money was transferred, they… I just… she thought everything was set. We thought we’d already have broken off the engagement by now. I’ve… we’ve… spent the last week doing everything we can to find an alternative.”

I can’t hear this. I don’t want to hear that he’s given up, that they tried, but still have to get married. My stomach hurts. My chest hurts. I swipe dripping tears and march to the door.

He leaps from the chair. “Maybe… I don’t know, maybe you and I can figure something out. Anna already knows about us and is cool with everything. We couldn’t tell anyone that we’re together, though.” Now his voice elevates and I’ve never wanted to slap anyone so hard in my life. “We could keep doing what we’re doing—it’s been working for us, hasn’t it? Annabelle and I would handle the stuff we need to do with the families and appearances, but you and I can still be together. I could come over to your place, and you could come here, and we could even leave the country for a while or something—”

“Stop!” I release a fiery choked sob. “Don’t you dare do this to me. Do not ask me to be your fucking side piece, Theo.”

“No, no, I’m not asking that, I’m just—”

“That’s exactly what you’re asking. You want all of me, but you’re only willing to give me a portion of yourself? Fuck you. How dare you ask that of me? How dare you assume I’m not worth more?”

He drags his hands down his face in anguish. I turn and walk out the door, but he’s right at my heels. “We can figure something out. I’m just asking for you to wait.”

“For how long? For what?” Even though there’s a piece of me that feels like I’d wait for a lifetime for him, I know I can’t.

I press the elevator button, and step inside.

He follows, gripping my shoulders until I’m forced to look at him.

“Maybe we can put something in the paperwork. A five-year contingency or something, where Anna gets part of her trust fund for every year we stay married.”

I scoff. “Five years? Five fucking years?” My voice echoes in the confines of the elevator. “Stop, just stop. There’s no way I want to hide a relationship with you for five years.”

I can’t believe this is happening. My paranoia, my worry, was justified. Deep down I knew something would go wrong, and I ignored all the warning bells in my gut. I let myself get caught up in Theo. What the hell was I thinking getting involved with him in the first place?

I need to get out of here. I drag the back of my hands across my face to wipe off the tears and suck in a breath, refusing to break down in front of him anymore. When the elevator doors open to the expansive lobby, I push him off and take a few steps out, Theo close on my heels.

And then, I freeze.

So does Theo.

I wonder if I’m hallucinating, because standing in front of us in khaki slacks, a tweed coat, his gray hair swept in a manicured cut, stands Dr. George K. Astor.

39 Lexie

“Dad,” Theo says the word with a sharp, acidic bite, as he steps in front of me. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

When Theo said he hated his father, he wasn’t kidding. You could cut the tension between them with a knife.

“Your mother and I’ve been trying to reach you for some time,” Dr. Astor says, flatly. “Since you failed to respond, I was worried about your safety. I figured an in-home visit was the best way to gauge your well-being.”

Theo still stands between us, and I swear he widens his stance, blocking my view of his father even more.

I couldn’t think my day could get any worse, but now I’m standing in a lobby with Dr. Astor, one of the last men I want to see, praying to Christ that he doesn’t remember me.

“Gemma.”

The voice drags me back to being a naïve and impressionable young student, desperate to make him proud. But now I know better. I still shrink into myself a little and raise my hand in a half-hearted wave. “Oh, hi, Dr. Astor.”

“We’re leaving,” Theo says, and takes one step toward the door when Dr. Astor moves closer.