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Marion puts a gentle hand on Ernest’s arm and gives me a condescending look. “Finn’s a good boy, but he needs a little more direction. I’d hoped that working for Ernest would give him a bit of aspark—” Her bright red lips curl and suddenly everything falls into place. This has been a revenge plot years in the making, and Finn has become an unfortunate casualty. “But alas.”
“Yes, it’s been a shame,” Ernest says with a smirk. “But that’s what happens when you ride the coattails of your family name for too long. There’s no chance for real talent to form.”
"What thefuck?” Nel hisses, any pretence of politeness towards her aunt and uncle long gone. She’s practically shaking with barely concealed anger. “How dare you.”
I was right. Definitely a ride or die.
“Watch your mouth, Cornelia,” Ernest says dryly.
“You watch yours,” I snap.
Ernest and Marion both look at me like I’ve slapped them.
I wish I had. Instead, I take a step forward and poke Ernest squarely in the chest. “Finn has more talent in his pinky finger than either of you have combined.”
From the corner of my eye I spy Finn re-entering the room with a tired looking Maya. I should stop before I embarrass both of us, but I don’t. My anger is fuelling me and I’m on a roll.
“He might just be the most driven man I’ve ever met. Everything he’s done throughout the last few months has been to impressyou.”
I think about all the early mornings and late nights he spent hunched over his laptop, making sure every last detail was perfect. It annoyed the hell out of me, but I understand it now.
If I had people like this actively working against me, willing me to fail, I might be a little annoying too.
“And this is how you talk about him when he’s not around? Just because you’re still mad at his dad for not hiring you how many years ago?”
Ernest’s cheeks colour. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I think I do,” I say. “I think I know exactly what’s going on here. And you’re pathetic. The both of you.”
“Who thehell are you?” Marion snarls. She whips her head around frantically. “Who is the girl? Where has she come from? Andwheredid she get the audacity to—”
Finn suddenly looms over us. I can spy barely concealed anger simmering away underneath his stony expression. “Enough. I’ve heard enough.” He loops an arm around my waist and pulls me in tight. “Honestly, I don’t care what you have to say about me, or what kind of games you’re using me for. But you don’t talk to her like that.Ever.”
A thrill shoots through me and heads straight to my core.
“Tellherto watch how she speaks to us,” Marion spits. She wrinkles her nose and looks down at me. “I don’t know where you found her, but—”
I don’t hear whatever it is she’s about to say, because Henry’s booming voice cuts across her.
“Marion. Ernest.” His tone is cold and void of any of the love I’d heard earlier. “A word?”
Finn uses the the opportunity to quickly pull me away from the both of them and into the kitchen. As soon as we’re alone, he bends down slightly and cups my face in his hands. I see worry reflected in his eyes as he searches my face for something.
“Are you okay?”
“Me?” I splutter. “I’m fine. A little embarrassed. I should probably apologise to your parents for causing a scene at their party. But yeah. I’m fine. Areyouokay? I’m so sorry you had to hear that.”
His shoulders slump. “Wasn’t the nicest thing to hear, but it’s what I’ve suspected all along. It was nice hearing you defend me like that though.”
“Of course,” I tell him. “What else was I supposed to do? Just let them tear down someone I love like that? I had to say something.”
The smile on his face right now could light up a small town. “Someone you love?”
My heart skips a beat or two, and then decides to make up for lost time by pounding against my ribcage. I meet his gaze head on. “Yes. Someone I love very much.”
He reaches for my face again, tilting my chin upwards. “Sweetheart.”
“I love you, Finn.” The words jolt out of me unbidden, but I don’t regret them.
