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Shit.Dot knows about the deal.
When I first started talking with Mercury, I specifically told them not to contact me through the Nest even if that was how they originally found me.
Ton’s abrasive tone slices through my alarming thoughts. “After talking to your business partner, we have concerns.”
Maybe I can still salvage this. “What business partner? I don’t?—”
Famke cuts me off, “Dorothy Malone.”
“No.” I want to deny Dot in every possible way, but our partnership in the Nest can be verified. “We used to be partners. She has nothing to do with this deal. What concerns do you have?”
I need to know what Dot said. It’s the only way I can put their worries to rest.
“We know the truth.” Ton’s solemn expression only amplifies the direct hit of that damn word.
Truth. If I have to hear that word flung at me like shit in my eyes one more time, I’m going to destroy something. Every time it’s said, it’s another nail in the coffin of me, the fucking liar.
“What truth are you talking about?”
“You lied. You are not equipped to take on our job. You do not have the people nor the resources, and if we got into business with you, we would be making a grave mistake.” Famke plays with a paper clip, dismantling it like this conversation is slowly doing to my professional dreams.
“None of that is true.” I pause to rein in the desperation in my tone. “I am fully equipped and ready to fulfill your order.”
“Well, I'm afraid we can't take you at your word.” Ton crosses his arms, his features severe. “It’s too much of a risk, and like I said at the outset of our conversations and most recently during our last call, if you can't make our timeline, there is no deal.”
“Wait. Talk to my lawyer. She can assure you of the validity of my claim. I will sign the contract and whatever else you want me to sign. That should show you that I believe wholeheartedly in myself and my business. My word is good.”
Famke places her elbows on the table and gives me a pitying smile. “Unfortunately, it's too late for that. We’ve signed with another contractor. We had truly wanted to work with you. We love your designs, your vision, but you are not the right person for this job. Goodbye, Oliver. We wish you all the best.”
She doesn’t wait for my response, and the screen blips to black. And just like that, the opportunity I had to help me battle Dot for the Nest is gone like a puff of smoke.
I stare at the black screen, a void just like my career. Save for Wren, my life is slowly becoming one black dump. What the hell did I do to deserve this? Why is Dot filled with such hatred that she would go to these great lengths to make me suffer?
There’s only one final play for my career—take Dot to court for full ownership of the Nest. I dread what comes next and worse, what other lies my ex might have up her sleeve.
It feels like everywhere I turn, someone is angry at me. Disgusted by me. Doubting me. Wren included even if she won’t admit it.
She believes me, I don’t doubt that, but being together has been one battle after another. Now the DNA results plus losing her job and Bright Horizons. All of this kills me. I won’t lose Wren too.
We are meant to be together. No one else fits me like she does.
And because of this, I will do everything in my power to salvage things and keep us together, though I don’t have a solution in sight.
Chapter25
Wren
“Miss Tyler, this isn’t your fault.” Courtney grabs my hand across the table and grips it tightly. “You didn't do anything wrong. We would never blame you.”
“You’re sweet.” I pat her hand and force a fleeting smile. “As much as I'd like to believe you, unfortunately it doesn’t matter if I didn't do anything wrong; my actions caused this.”
After the mayor and Oliver left yesterday, I would’ve liked to curl up in the fetal position and bawl my eyes out over the rejection of my proposal and impending job loss, but I couldn’t. I had work to do.
First, I called Reggie and asked her to come to the library. That kind of news shouldn’t be delivered over the phone. She arrived just before school let out and I told her everything, through snot and tears. We agreed that I should be the one to tell her kids, and I texted them last night to come to the library right after school today.
My heart broke as I told them what had happened. As much as I wanted to leave things out, like my involvement with Oliver and Dot, I didn’t. While I didn’t tell all, I gave them enough for them to understand there was a lot more at play here than the merit of the Bright Horizons program.
Brayden kicks out his legs and glances up from his phone. “Court’s right, though. You did nothing wrong. They’re assholes.”
