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A lot to talk about?
Newsflash, Dad, we’ve had a lot to talk about for years now. The list of things keeps expanding as fast as Elon Musk’s empire.
I sit in the soft leatherback chair he points to, and he moves his chair around so he’s in front of me. Usually, he’s behind his desk. It’s a simple gesture, but it makes me so nervous the knots already living in my stomach flip-flop.
“What’s going on, Dad? Please don’t tell me you got mixed up with Conrad’s crimes.” Normally, I would never step over the line and ask him something like that, but anxiety is slowly killing me.
“No, of course not.” His voice is firm, but there’s a look in his eyes that suggests his answer wasn’t the whole truth. I hate that.
I hate lies of any kind, and he’s told me so many.
I want to ask if he knew what Conrad was doing but decide against it. I don’t want to upset him with the implication and cut off my chances to ask the questions I really need answers to.
“You don’t have to worry about me like that,” Dad adds, his eyebrows pinching together as he sits forward and rests one elbow on his knee. “But I do need to talk to you about how Conrad and Nathan’s situation has affected us. I assume you’ve seen the news.”
“I have.” My voice curls with the implication that I’ve seenallthe news there is to see. “Is it true that they’re losing everything?”
He nods. “Yes, but if Nathan is cleared, he’ll get to keep whatever belongs to him. However, those assets are few and far between.”
I thought so, too, although the pompous asshole acted like he owned the world.
“The point is, the purpose of the marriage to Nathan is no longer a viable option for us.”
At that comment, I see the opening to ask about the business.
“Is that because of the business?” When he nods, I’m prompted to continue. “I know things haven’t been great. What’s the situation now?”
“It’s not good, but I have found another suitable candidate for you to marry.”
My heart nose-dives to my feet and continues plummeting through the layers of the floor, going down, down, down.
I’m still staring back at him, but I can’t get my brain to work as it struggles to process the words that just filled the room.
“Wha…” My mouth opens and closes, my eyes narrow, and my lungs squeeze.
I stand because I can’t sit anymore.
If I do, my entire body might dissolve into a pool of water.
“Aurora.” Dad rises, too, and steps closer.
I step away and hold up my hands. “What are you saying to me? What do you mean, you found someone else for me to marry? As in someone I don’t know?”
“Yes, but, marriage is an expectation that—”
“Don’t give me that bullshit, Dad.” I shake my head as if it’s filled with a swarm of bees.
Dad’s face becomes a mask of grief, and I find something beneath the surface of his hard exterior—desperation.
Desperation is something I’m not used to seeing on my father, the mighty William Wright. And now he wants me to marry someone I don’t know?
“You had the truest love with Mom. She loved you with her last breath, but you want this for me.”
“No.” It sounds like the first piece of truth he’s shared in years.
“Then why? Why do you think it’s okay for me to marry someone I don’t know? At least I knew Nathan.” My voice rises into the heavens, showing I’m at my breaking point.
“This particular person is interested in owning Sunset Cove.”
