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Literally can’t. I’m legally married to someone else.
“I’ll think about it.”
Not much surprises my father. But that response did. I catch it in his stilted blinks. The flex of his jaw. There’s a weighted pause, as he adjusts whatever he was planning to say next.
“The Bransons are coming over for dinner tomorrow night. I’ll expect you at six sharp.”
“I’m busy.”
It’s immensely satisfying to watch my father struggle not to react to that response. To keep emotion from breaking through his stoic expression. He thought I’d agree without hesitating, and I can’t decide if that’s more sad or infuriating.
Evidently, me not agreeing never occurred to him. And I suddenly resent my marriage to Hannah a little less, knowing it’s the source of my sudden stubbornness. It’s freeing. Like I took one step away from expectations and now it’s easier to take a second.
“Leonardo is expecting you to be there. So is Quinn.”
“I didn’t make them any promises. Enjoy your evening, Dad.”
I stand and turn my back to my father.
“It’s the least you owe me, Oliver,” he calls after me.
My nails dig into my palms. I bite the inside of my cheek until I taste the metallic tang of blood. “Kensingtons collect debts. They don’t acknowledge them. Isn’t that what you taught me? You’ll never forgive me for what happened.”
“If you marry Quinn Branson, I will.”
I turn to look at him. “What?”
“If you marry Quinn Branson, Candace will be completely forgotten. Gone for good.”
“You think I’mthatdesperate for your approval?” I shake my head. “I fucked up, Dad. I apologized. I’m not going to marry a total stranger in some twisted penance.”
“I’m not inflicting you with some hardship, Oliver. Quinn is bright, wealthy, and beautiful. She’ll make a perfect Kensington.”
“Then why don’tyoumarry her?” I snap.
A cruel smile spreads across my father’s face. I have a good idea of exactly what he’ll say before the words leave his lips. “You’d be interested in her then?”
I shake my head. “Thirty seconds ago, you said Candace would be forgotten.”
“Agree, and she will be.”
“No.”
I keep walking. I’m almost out the door when he speaks again. “I’ll name you the next CEO of Kensington Consolidated. Effective in five years.”
I freeze, my instant reaction giving too much away. I should keep walking, but my muscles won’t cooperate. Those words run on a relentless loop in my head.
I’ll name you the next CEO of Kensington Consolidated.
I’ll name you the next CEO of Kensington Consolidated.
I’ll name you the next CEO of Kensington Consolidated.
A sentence I never, ever thought I’d hear my father say to me. My goal. My birthright. My dream.
I turn again, not missing the triumphant smirk on my father’s face. He knows what this means to me. Knows what he’s dangling. It’s what has separated me and Crew when it comes to this company. Crew would make an excellent CEO. He’d step into the role and thrive under the pressure. But he’s neverwantedit, the way I did. Do.
“What about Crew?”
