Page 268 of The Heart You Kept

I shrug. “News to me.”

“If you think for one moment that you can treat my daughter like this and get away with it, you have another thing coming.”

“I have treated your daughter with nothing but respect,” I bite back. “I care for her a great deal. Hermione does not need you defending her to me, I will defend her against anything or anyone.”

“If something goes to the press, if you bring her name into disrepute…you’re a dead man.”

I exhale in an overexaggerated way. “I’m very busy and do not have the time or the energy for your dramatics today.” I turn to my computer.

“When did you date Alora Sorenson?” he sneers.

My eyes rise to his, something about the way he said her name triggers me. “That is none of your business.” I stand and open the door. “I have a meeting I have to attend.”

He stands, his eyes fixed on mine. “Be very careful, Prescott.”

“Get. Out.”

He storms out of the office and down the corridor and I slam the door behind him.

Fuck off.

ALORA

Jazz music sounds loudly through the store and I smile as I look through the window out onto the street. The sun is shining and it’s a beautiful day, Philippe and his two partners in crime are playing cards out the front of the café next door.

My phone vibrates on the counter and I turn and pick it up,

Mr. Doe

“Hello, Mr. Doe,” I answer.

“Hello, Miss Sorenson,” he replies, and I can tell that he’s smiling. “Tell me you love me.”

“I love you.”

“Ask me if I found you the perfect house.”

I smile. “Did you find me the perfect house?”

“Maybe.”

“Really?”

“Finish work early and we will go and look at it.”

“Alright, meet you at the yacht around three?”

“Okay, love you.”

“I love you too.” I hang up and smile broadly, how is this my life?

Edward smiles as he pulls into the driveway of the mansion perched high on the hill, he insisted on driving here in his favorite green Aston Martin. Maybe he thinks it’s lucky or something. “This looks⁠—”

“Over the top.” I cut him off.

“Nice.” He reaches over and squeezes my thigh. “Can you just look at it with an open mind, please?”

“Okay.” I circle my finger over my head to symbolize a halo. “Open-minded is my middle name.”