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My father lets out a heavy sigh. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but I have no choice.”
“What are you talking about?” I whisper, my heart lodged in my throat.
“You’re cut off, Harlow. Your mother and I can’t risk a scandal like this.”
My jaw drops, and I scramble to put words together in a sentence. I’ve been living on my own in a studio apartment for a few months now, and I mostly pay my own bills with freelance work and now this job. If I still have it after today, that is.
That thought brings on a whole new wave of anxiety. Will this be too much for Bishop to handle? Our relationship is so new, and ruthfully, he hasn’t even asked or hinted at a longer-term arrangement. Maybe he just wanted some holiday fun while I was his assistant?
“Do you understand?” My dad snaps. “This is too far. I’m so disappointed in you, Harlow. What a waste of good genes and wealth.”
Blinking a few times, I try to stem the tears threatening to spill over. “Goodbye, Allen,” I tell the man who used to be my father. If he’s cutting me off, I’m stripping him of his title. He doesn't deserve it.
No sooner do I hang up the phone than an older woman waltzes up to my desk and gives me a questioning look. I quickly swipe at the few tears that escaped and set my phone down before addressing her.
“Hi,” I squeak out. Clearing my throat, I try again. “How may I help you?”
The shorter woman with gray and blonde hair smiles at me, but there’s something off about it.
“Man troubles?” she asks, giving me a sympathetic look.
“It’s all under control,” I lie.
The lady shakes her head and rests her hand over mine. “A mother always knows,” she counters.
I don’t mean to, but my bottom lip trembles before more tears spill down my cheeks.
“Let it out, sweetie,” she coos. I’m not sure what to think about this stranger, but she’s here, and she’s offering her sympathy, so I soak it up.
“It’ll be fine,” I say with a sniffle. “Just a lot to deal with right now.”
“Yes, from the sounds of it, a new job is in order.”
I snap my eyes up to hers, jerking back when I see a sinister gleam in her eyes. “Excuse me? How did you–”
“A mother always knows,” she repeats, her tone sharp. “My son has been ignoring my calls and texts. At first, I thought he was just busy with work. But I had my suspicions it was something else. Someone else. And I was right.”
I’m hit with another surprise, and my brain is about at capacity for processing power at the moment.
“Listen, honey,” she continues. “Let me do you a favor. My son, God bless him, will never love anyone more than his job. I would know. I’ve been trying to have a relationship with him for years, but he always brushes me off for work. He might be infatuated with you now, but it won’t last.”
“Why are you doing this?” I whisper, folding in on myself as I try to disappear into my chair.
“Saving you the heartbreak, dear. Letting you know you should get the hell out of Dodge before it’s too late.”
I blink up at her as my world comes crashing down around me. She’s lying, right? Then again, Bishop never mentioned that his mom lived close or anything about his family, actually. Is that because he knew he wouldn’t be keeping me around for long?
Plus, even if he’s serious about me now, he might get tired of me later. Especially if I’m broke, homeless, and once again adrift without a plan.
The evil witch of a woman gives me a fake pitying look before saying, “I’ll make sure Bishop gives you a good recommendation. Sounds like you earned it.”
That’s the final blow to my heart. Scrambling up from my desk, I grab my coat and purse, sprinting to the elevator. It’s not fast enough, however, and I need to get out of here right now before I fall apart completely.
I make an abrupt turn, heading to the stairwell. I kick off my shoes, picking them up in one hand while running down the stairs. I have no idea what I’m going to do, but I can’t stay here.
CHAPTERNINE
BISHOP
