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THIRTY-THREE
HADLEY
“What is wrong with you, Curtis?” I’m seething. I was lost for a while during breakfast, retreating into my old self, listening to his criticisms, and believing them. Until he said something to hurt two innocent children.
After he spilled the news about Serena being in prison, Colton and Piper melted down. Theo is talking with them right now, trying to calm them, leaving me to battle my brother.
“You have to know who you’re getting involved with,” my brother says coolly, as if he didn’t just cause chaos.
“I know exactly who Theo is! He told me all about Serena. You had no right to come into this house and say things like that. His life is none of your business.”
Curtis leans forward and says, “His life is fair game when he’s trying to fuck with mine.”
A loud exhale leaves my lips and I roll my eyes. “God, you really are an asshole. Selfish and greedy too.”
His fist flies down unexpectedly on the table, hard and fast, the booming impact echoing in the room. “It’s what I fucking deserve! I have devoted my life to Gerard Fine Foods. Selling it is my right. All the profit should be mine because you haven’t done a damn thing for the company except bear the Gerard name.”
Before he left, Theo whispered in my ear and told me not to give up what’s rightfully mine, and though I’m ready to say and do anything to get Curtis out of this house, I’m not leaving millions of dollars on the table.
“Daddy’s will says—”
“Fuck the will! I’ll have it contested.” He lifts his hand, pointing a finger in my direction. “Don’t stand in my way, Hadley. I will fight you for this money. Walk away now and I’ll give you access to your trust fund now.”
“No,” I tell him firmly. Sweat prickles along my hairline and the back of my neck, nerves rattle inside my belly, but I’m determined not to give in, not to acquiesce to my brother. “I am entitled to half of everything. If you don’t like it, then you’re more than welcome to go fuck yourself, Curtis.”
I push back from the table, throwing my linen napkin down as I stand. “Kindly leave,” I demand, pointing toward the door.
“This isn’t over, Hadley. I’ll wear you down.”
“I’ll stall the sale of the company.”
His chair skids across the hardwood floor as he surges to his feet. He stomps toward the front door but stops, his hand hovering over the handle. I wait for him to say something scathing, an insult that will cut me deep, but he doesn’t.
I watch him leave, knowing this isn’t our final battle. We still have a meeting planned for this week. Would it be cowardly to back out? To let Theo handle it for me? I’m more than happy to take the check to the bank, but seeing my brother again is something I’m not looking forward to doing.
Once his SUV leaves the driveway and zips off down the street, I head upstairs. I can hear a murmur of voices through the doors. I don’t want to interrupt their moment, but I feel responsible since Curtis is my brother.
I approach the master bedroom door and push it open a crack, enough to poke my head through. They’re all on the bed with Theo in the middle, the two kids flanking him. They look so sweet cuddled against their dad that I feel terrible for even considering interrupting. It’s too late to back out, though, when all three gazes lift to meet mine.
“Hey,” I say with an anxious smile. “Curtis is gone.”
“Good,” Piper pouts. “He’s a big jerk!”
“Yes, he is,” I agree before using my hand to cover my mouth, so she doesn’t see my laugh.
She turns to her father and asks, “Is it okay to say jerk?”
“Just this once,” Theo assures her.
I take a small step into the room, still hesitant to disturb them. For as close as we are, I sometimes feel like an interloper. I don’t want to replace their mother in any way, and I worry they might resent me for stealing her spot in their lives.
“I’m really sorry about what he said,” I tell all three of them. “He shouldn’t have said it.”
“But it’s true,” Colton says. “Daddy told us.”
“Still doesn’t make it right. Curtis should have known better, but he does the stupidest things when he’s mad.”
“Like when Colton cut my doll’s hair?” Piper asks.
