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I point at him. “The name LeRond. That… that was Carter all those months ago in my store. That was Carter trying to get something from me. He’s been lying to me this whole time.” The tears now start to pour over my face.
I see the moment LeRond understands what I’m talking about. “Oh no. Please, understand where Carter was coming from. He was just trying… His father…”
Tears are streaming down my cheeks. I shake my head and hold my hand up. “No. I don’t want to hear it. He’s been lying to me this whole time.”
Just then, Thomas appears. “Reagan? Cupcake? Is that you? What’s wrong?”
I’m frozen in place, in complete shock over what I’ve just learned.
Thomas puts his arm around me. “Come with me, sweetheart. Let’s head down to my office to make sure you’re alright.”
I think I hear LeRond try to interfere, but Thomas ignores him. I walk in shocked silence. The only sound I can hear is that of my heart breaking.
We get down to Thomas’s office. He shuts the door, and we sit on his couch. I can’t believe Carter did this. I’m so confused. Was the whole thing just a game to him? Am I a pawn in his game with his father? Is his father in on this?
Thomas looks at me. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
I shake my head. “I’ve just learned how much alike you and your son are.”
He smiles. “Thank you.” I didn’t mean it as a compliment. Just the opposite.
He looks me up and down, eventually landing on my face. “You know, you look exactly like him. A feminine, more beautiful version, but you do look like him.”
“Who?”
“Your father.”
“Jackson isn’t my father.”
“I’m not talking about Jackson. I’m talking about Scott Lawrence.”
“You knew my father?”
“Unfortunately, I did. He nearly cost me everything, including my life. Yet somehow, I’m the one with a criminal record. All thanks to him. He had to interfere on behalf of his little girlfriend. That son of a bitch cost me a small fortune and the ability to ever run for public office.”
I look at him. “That’s why you’ve been after my business? Some old beef with my father, who’s been gone for seven years?”
He smiles and nods.
“This is ridiculous. You told Carter you’d retire if he promises to steal my business because of my father?” I’m having a hard time believing any of this.
“Not steal your business, cupcake. Carter was told that your business had to be destroyed before I’d retire.” I swallow. I guess Carter lied to me about that too.
“That’s pathetic. You’re both pathetic. Just leave me and my business alone. I want nothing to do with your family, including your son.”
“You want me to leave you alone?”
“I want to wash my hands of everything Daulton in my life.”
He places his hand on my exposed thigh. I look down at it.
He smirks at me. “I can think of one way we can make that happen.”
* * *
CARTER
ONE HOUR AGO
