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ChapterSeven
THEO
I’m riding my golf cart back to the house when I get the news from Thalia about her progress. She sounded so upset, I wanted to race over to her apartment and comfort her. But that will have to wait. For now.
In an hour, Mel will be arriving, and I’ll be showing her the evidence I have to use against her if she doesn’t walk away quietly. She should have disappeared before any of this even happened, but Mel, being the delusional bitch she is, just had to keep pushing and pushing. Holding on to me like her life depended on it. Someone who never belonged to her, no matter how much she thinks I did.
Pulling up outside, I climb the stairs then make my way inside to my bedroom. Since Mel moved out, I could have reclaimed the master bedroom, but it brought back too many bad memories, so I stayed put. And anyway, Mel left most of her clothes; it’s like she still lives here. I was hoping today or in the next couple of days she would come and collect them. I still don’t know what’s happening regarding her father and how much he knows about our situation. I’ll be finding out today and cutting all ties. I know it will mean losing most of my horses and the farm, but for Thalia, I’ll give it all up.
I haven’t told her about my meeting with Mel today and not because I’m trying to hide things from her. I just don’t want to cause her any unnecessary stress. I will tell her all about it only when I know Mel is out of our lives once and for all. I feel like I’ve waited an eternity for this moment, to make Thalia mine completely, and it will finally feel like it’s real when I can tell her Mel is gone. For good.
I make quick work of showering and getting dressed, then I shoot Thalia a message.
Me: I love you, piccola. I have some things to do then I will come over. x
I’m surprised and happy when she replies almost instantly. She doesn’t know it, but her words give me the strength to get through whatever comes next.
Piccola: I love you too. So much, Piccolo. Hurry over, I miss you and need you to hold me. x
I smile and shove my cell into my pocket, then make my way downstairs where I wait for my showdown with Mel.
* * *
She’s late.
I knew it couldn’t have been as easy as her coming over, me showing her the evidence, and her walking away without any argument. The fact that she’s over an hour late doesn’t bode well for me. It means she’s probably cooked up ways to try and keep me, which means this is going to be harder than it needs to be.
Heels clicking on the marble tiles snap me from my thoughts. I push out of my office chair, making my way to the hall. I have no doubt it’s Mel who has decided to just let herself in. She’s arrogant like that. My suspicions are confirmed when I spot her making her way towards me, a smug grin on her lips, dressed and made up like she’s going out to a club not to a meeting with me.
“I should have changed the locks,” I grumble shooting her a scowl.
Her smile grows wider, and she rolls her eyes like this is all some sort of game. Bitch is crazy. “You are too funny, Theo. Did you miss me?” A perfectly manicured brow arches and I genuinely believe she thinks that’s true. That I’ve missed her. Sheisdelusional.
“Come to my office so we can talk,” I grunt, just wanting this over with. She will never understand how difficult it is for me to be around her after what she did. She makes me sick to my core. Having her in my space brings back memories I would rather forget.
Spinning, I return to where I came from, dropping down in my leather chair as Mel takes the one in front of me. I eye her for a minute, wondering how I never saw this side of her. This crazy side, that will go to any lengths to get what she wants. I know why I didn’t. I was so caught up with making a name for myself in the showjumping world, I would have done anything. Even be with someone I never loved. Mel—through her father—offered me the means to make it in a world where money gets you to the top. I know it makes me an asshole, but I needed the right backing and investment to get me there. Mel was so desperate to have me, she threw her daddy’s money at me.
Unfortunately for Mel, that all came to an end when I fell in love with Thalia. I never planned on loving her, but it happened, and I want my piccola more than anything Mel could ever offer. I did feel guilty for what I was doing to Mel before. But not anymore. Not after what she did to me and to my girl. I shiver at the thought.
“What a shame about Thalia. Such an unfortunate accident. I do hope she is recovering well?” she asks it as a question, but I don’t answer. I white knuckle my desk, gritting my teeth so I don’t jump over this desk and throttle her. She doesn’t get to say my piccola’s name, let alone ask about her.
Taking a calming breath, I lean back in my chair. “I called you here today to discuss the matter of the farm. You are aware now that our marriage was never legal and that we are not together. Have you spoken with your father? Told him what’s going on?”
She smirks. I don’t like the look. She looks damn right evil. “I did speak with my father,” she says cryptically.
“And?” I wave my arms for her to continue.
“And he will be contacting you in the next few weeks to discuss the logistics. He wants you to either buy him out of this place or he wants it on the market. As for the horses, we have another rider they will be going to.”
My chest tightens as I think about losing my farm, my horses but then I remember what I am gaining. I clear my throat. “Right, okay. I want to buy his shares in two of the animals. I am already the majority shareholder in both horses, and I have an investor ready and waiting with double what your father has invested.” I shouldn’t discuss this with Mel, but I want to get it off my chest, let her know she won’t be taking everything.
She smiles wider, flashing me a look that says she knows something I don’t. “Very well. I’ll have my father contact you when he’s back from his vacation. In the meantime, I want to move back in until this place is sold.”
I chuckle sardonically. She really is crazy. I shake my head. “Not a chance in hell. I’m going to show you something now and you are going to take this all very seriously. I may not have gone to the police about the...” I trail off, swallowing harshly, “assault, but I have something here that I will go to them about if you don’t comply. You will leave Wellington. You will stay away from Thalia and me. If I see you within fifty feet of her, I will go to the police. If I hear that you have upset her in anyway, I will go to the police.”
Mel snorts. “And just what do you think you have on me that would make me listen to you, Theo? I’m not going anywhere. If you think for one minute that I will let you both make a fool of me, then you don’t know me very well.”
I lean forward with an evil grin. She glares, not backing down. I pluck my cell off the desk, pop in my passcode, and scroll to the video that will get rid of her once and for all. Hitting play, I hold it up to her face. She watches, smug at first before she pales. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water. I resist a smile. I know I’ve got her.
