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“Ha!” She shakes her head. “If you expect an apology, well…” She glances at her manicured nails. “You’re out of luck.”
“No. No apology. Even if you offered, it wouldn’t be sincere.”
“You know me so well, dear.” She leans against her desk. Crosses her pale ankles. “So what did you come for?”
Kastle frowns. “To make a demand.”
Amelia’s cold smile turns into a sneer. “Ana told me you ignored her last night. You sent her away when I left explicit instructions for you to woo her and—”
“Cover Kaelyn’s story with another scandal.” Kastle’s voice is hard and unbending. “You’ve got dirt on everybody in this town. Use it for good. Today.”
She laughs. “Why would I do that?”
“Kaelyn is my everything. And you hurt her.” He stares his mother down. “If you take something from me.” He steps forward. “I’ll take something from you.”
“Do you think I’m doing all this for my good?” She huffs. “No. It's for you. It’s—”
“Bury the story now or I cut you from the company.”
“What?”
I whirl around and stare at Kastle.
He doesn’t look at me. He doesn’t flinch. His fists remain at his sides. “I have the power to do it. You trusted me, your little puppet, so much that you didn’t see I was slowly taking over the board.”
“No. That’s impossible!”
“Why do you think I wanted to be CEO?”
Her mouth opens and closes. Shock careens into her eyes.
“The company keeps all your projects afloat. If I pull the plug…” He narrows his eyes. “Don’t make me do it.”
“I gave you everything,” she spits. “I took you out of that dusty place in the middle of the countryside and I made you a star. How dare you try to bite the hand that fed you? I made you who you are.”
“No, you didn’t.” I step forward and hold Kastle’s hand. “He turned into a kind, caring, and loving human despite you.”
“Shut up, you—”
“I forgive you, Amelia,” I say calmly.
She stops in her tracks. “Excuse me?”
“To be honest, I can’t judge you. I threatened to expose your husband’s affair and out Glory to the world. Not my best moment.” I shift uncomfortably. “And I’m ashamed of what I did. But I’m here now to let you know that this ends here. I’m done.”
“So am I.” Kastle’s voice is firm and intense. “I’m done, mom. Take the heat off Kaelyn or I’m taking the company. You have one hour. That should be enough time to make the calls.” He takes my hand and drags me toward the door.
His steps are sure, steady.
His hand in mine is firm.
My smile torches my cheeks as I walk beside the boy who finally cut the strings that held him.
Kastle did it.
He’s free.
Thirty-Four
