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“He did what? What do you mean, ‘cut him out’?”
“You know how Greg was doing a lot of work for the company then. Dad caught me outside of his office door. He knew I’d heard something, so he said if I spoke to you about it at all, he’d get rid of Greg. And blacklist him. I didn’t think…”
She trails off, eyes dropping to her hands in her lap. “I didn’t know, at the time. I didn’t put it together. I thought maybe he had found something, or… I don’t know. I’m sorry. I should have talked to you at the time.”
I shake my head slowly, feeling no anger or resentment. Just the cold truth settling over me.
“No, Vanessa. You couldn’t have known. You didn’t see any proof either. And he was threatening to cut Greg loose.”
“I don’t think any of it was true, for the record. That she was a gold-digger. I think she really loved you. I think Dad figured you’d be too shocked and embarrassed to double-check anything.”
Grimly, I knew she was right. I’d been quick to pull the trigger back then. Scared of getting hurt. But had any of that really changed?
“Nick, he’s doing it all over again with Blair.”
“What do you mean?”
Thatsomethingthat was off. The way this whole thing has felt wrong, Blair pushing me away…
“Think about it. It’s too convenient. He was at the hospital, right? When you found out about the baby? If he didn’t want Blair in the picture…”
He’d threaten her, too. He’d do whatever he wanted to be in control of his life, company, and even the money he leaves behind when he goes.
“Don’t you think it’s time to stop letting him control us?” Vanessa blurts out, leaning forward and taking my hand. Her eyes are brimming with tears. She’s not usually a crier, but I know she’s thinking of the past, of all the things we let him get away with. Of Mom. “Are you really going to give up a real shot at a future, and love, for a business that you never wanted any part of?”
And then she tells me everything.
Every word Blair said to her the week before.
Chapter 25
Blair
It’slateafternoon,anda perfect day to take a walk. I needed it. The last week has been hard and I asked Ben for a few days off, not just working from home but actually free of work. With the Weaver account and two others wrapped up, he was happy to give me a little time off.
Exercise. That’s what the nurse, and my OBGYN, recommended. But nothing intense. So I’ve been taking walks, close to the apartment. It’s late in the season and the afternoon isn’t too hot. The trees on the street are starting to tinge at the tips, light orange and yellow.
I feel a small flutter and place a hand over my stomach. Seventeen weeks, and I’ve just started feeling movement. Not anything crazy yet—no kicks, punches or somersaults. Just the occasional flutter and stir from the baby to let me know he or she is there.
In just a few weeks I’ll be able to find out the sex of the baby. A little thrill of excitement goes through me at the thought. And then a sinking loneliness, knowing it’ll be just me in the exam room.
At the street corner, I turn, keeping my eyes on the uneven sidewalk.
When I glance up, he’s there.
I stop, feeling like the earth has ceased spinning. Nick Weaver is standing outside my building, looking forlornly in the other direction. With hands in his pockets, I notice how handsome he looks in a plaid button-down shirt and khakis. My heart leaps in my chest and I pick up my pace.
My body takes over before my mind has the time to stop it. I can’t let him leave.
“Nick?”
As our eyes lock, I realize in this moment that I’d do absolutely anything for this man. For weeks I’ve been telling him to stay away, but all I really want is this—to come home to him.
He starts striding toward me, sunlight glinting off the grays in his hair.
We meet in the middle and both stop, but I sway toward him, and that’s all it takes. He gathers me in his arms, holding on tightly. I feel like crying, shouting, breaking down, and celebrating–everything all at once. It’s so overwhelming that I worry my knees might buckle, buthe’s here. That’s all that matters.
“Hey. I’m not staying away.” The words are direct and unwavering. I grin up at him, wrapping my arms around his back.
