Chapter 6
six
ROSE
Focusing during the quarterly financial review is impossible with Dare leaned back in his chair, gaze trained on his phone. In a room full of suits and dresses, he stands out in his simple jeans and T-shirt. The light spilling through the windows pools around him, as if it’s drawn to him, just as my attention seems to be.
I swear he hasn’t looked up since the meeting started. His presence has made more than a few board members uneasy. The two chairs on either side of him are empty, and my dad opted to take the seat at the other end of the table rather than confront him.
An argument is probably exactly what Dare wanted.
He’s so infuriating.
As if hearing my thoughts, Dare glances at me, the corner of his mouth twitching when he catches me watching him. But then his gaze drops back to his phone.
Why is he here? He’s not even listening.
Dare glances up again and gives me one of those infuriating smirks that’s meant to say he knows me and knows what I’m thinking. The problem is, he’s right. Usually, I have a good poker face, but Dare sees right through the mask.
Is that because he wears one too?
I’m not sure I could handle having more in common with him. Both of us being intimately familiar with loneliness is enough. His eyes narrow, and I avert my gaze, taking a breath to force him out of my head.
By the time I calm down, Dad has moved on, giving a summary of next fiscal year’s strategy, which includes my newest project. When it’s my turn to speak, I avoid looking at Dare at all costs.
“Futurum is a great opportunity to invest in our community. Art has a way of bringing out the best in people, and by giving local artists a chance to earn money, we can help foster creativity and rejuvenate the artistic culture in NYC. The gallery will include art from local artists and build a network of creators and curators.”
Dad gives me a pointed look.
Right. Always about the business. “And, for those of you who need it, funding the business and payroll will be a good tax write-off.”
“Thank you to those who believed in Rosalynn and agreed to provide the funding to start this venture.” Dad clears his throat. “Now, on to more important matters.”
It’s a harmless little thing, but it feels like a jab. He didn’t love the idea when I presented it to him. After I found investors and artists and proved it was viable, he reluctantly got on board. Dad continues discussing the plans for the rest of this year and next, everyone listening to him with rapt attention. Well, everyone but Dare .
He tips his head when our gazes collide, and I can all but hear his unspoken taunt in my head. The pawn .
Annoyance shoots up my spine, and I’m half tempted to mouth douchebag just to see his reaction, but based on our last discussion, he’d probably think it was funny more than anything.
Dad clears his throat. “Which brings us to an announcement we’ve been waiting to make. Rosie?”
My head snaps in Dad’s direction. He gestures for me to join him. Heart skipping, irritation forgotten, I pinch my eyebrows together and stand.
“As you know, my daughter is my whole world,” Dad says as I walk toward him.
Is he really doing this now? We didn’t even talk about the succession plan. He hasn’t mentioned wanting to retire. I join him and his arm wraps around my shoulder, fingers digging into my arm, reminding me to stand tall. I mostly manage to hide my wince.
Dare scowls as Dad continues. “She’s worked hard for JD Miller & Co, and she’s made me so proud.”
My chest warms and I smile at him, happy he appreciates the work I’ve put in.
“Which is why I’m happy to announce that she’ll be marrying Eric Vanderbelt, creating an official partnership between JD Miller & Co and Vanderbelt Advisors.”
What the fuck?
The boardroom erupts in applause as confusion and betrayal slither through my skin. Years of practice has my mouth locked in a smile, but internally, I think I’m dead.
My heart isn’t beating. Breath frozen in my lungs. Limbs locked. Chest tight.
He can’t be serious. This is some sort of joke. It has to be. Arranged marriages happen all the time in our world— rich families aligning themselves to get even richer, turning millions to billions. But he promised me I’d never have one. Though I was seven, a kid, I remember telling him I didn’t want one. I remember him assuring me that would never happen.
Everyone is congratulating me, oblivious to my inner turmoil. Ignorant to the claws of betrayal that shred my insides. The more they smile, the more isolated I feel. They all expected this. They’re happy. They don’t know that Eric tried to force himself on me. They have no regard for my feelings, but worst of all, Dad doesn’t seem to care, either.
Dad holds up a hand to silence everyone. “The wedding will be in the spring, and you’re all invited,” he says, squeezing me hard enough to shock me out of my stupor. Get it together.
I stare at him, face scrunching, but he looks away and continues discussing how this will be great for JD Miller & Co. The board is ecstatic, giant grins, pats on the shoulder, whispered plans of all the possibilities once Eric is officially part of the company. They’re not looking at me anymore, almost as if they forgot I exist.
As if I’m just a piece that’s been moved across the board, and they’re already on to the next strategy. The pawn Dare accused me of being. Acid churns in my stomach. I’ve always known my life was pre-designed, and I was okay with that, so long as I got to control this part.
Dad promised. He’s always been a man of his word. Maybe he doesn’t remember? But how could he not? It’s not some insignificant thing. This is my life he’s playing with.
My focus drifts around the conference room as a numbness coats my veins, ears ringing. Dare shifts and my gaze flies to meet his. Did he know? Did he come here to watch my downfall? Forehead wrinkled, lips turned down, Dare studies my reaction, his own confusion clearly evident. I don’t think he knew my dad’s plan. Dare’s eyes cut to my dad, who is still talking about my future as if I’m not even in the room.
“Rosalynn, what do you think about this?” Dare asks.
My stomach churning, I bite the inside of my cheek. How is he the only one who notices me? In a roomful of people who watched me grow up, Dare is the sole person who understands my discomfort.
Dad pauses, scowling at him. “Rosalynn?—”
“Can answer for herself.” Dare gives me a pointed look. “Do you want to marry Eric?”
Dare is trying to cause trouble—I know that—but this might be my only chance to stand up for myself. Dad will be mad, but I can’t let this marriage happen. I can’t let him steamroll me into this decision. He had plenty of chances earlier to discuss this with me, and he chose not to. This secret is such a violation of the sacred Miller trust he always preaches about.
Wetting my dry lips, I shake my head. “No.” The word silences the buzz of excitement. The board members shift in their seats as Dad slowly turns to look at me.
“What did you say?” he asks softly, too softly.
“No,” I say, voice shaky, but I stand my ground.
Features tightening, lightning flashing in his hazel eyes, the pads of his fingers dig into my shoulder so hard, I bite my cheek to keep from whimpering. “Rosalynn,” he begins, meaning to coax me.
I shake my head. “I don’t want to marry Eric.”
The quiet that settles between us is strained and tense. My instincts warn me that I’ve pushed him too far. I should sit down and do as I’m told, but I can’t. Not when he’s breaking his word .
All we have is our trust, Rosalynn. I’ll never lie to you, and you’ll never lie to me. That’s how Millers are.
He holds my stare, eyes narrowing. “Clear the room,” he barks.
I recoil at the sharp crack of his voice. Board members scurry to gather their things, fleeing the awkwardness, running for cover, escaping inevitable war. Dare is the last to leave, unfurling from his seat like a slumbering cat, stretching and studying the two of us. The downturn of his lips surprises me. I thought he’d be delighted to witness such a catastrophe.
“Princess,” Dare murmurs on his way to the door.
Dad huffs. “Go home, beast.”
Fingers curling around the threshold, shoulders tight, Dare pauses at the door, a predatory stillness coiling around him. I expect him to turn, to say something back, but as quickly as he paused, Dare recovers and leaves.
Even though I hate him, I can’t help feeling like he’s abandoning me to my fate.
Why would he care what happens to me?
He doesn’t.
That’s the truth of it. In this, I’m alone.
“You will marry Eric,” Dad says.
I wrench out of his hold, ignoring the pain radiating from where he gripped my shoulders. “Dad.” My voice is calm, despite the way my heart trembles. “You promised it would never come to this.”
His expression turns hard. “JD Miller & Co needs this. Eric is a slippery snake, but with you, the future CEO, as his wife, he won’t go against us. He wants the power, and he’s offering us what we need to take Darian down and?—”
“He’s offering a fantasy, Dad. There’s no way you’ll get enough shares to take over Darian’s company. It’s a dumb idea.”
Dad rears back like I slapped him. “What’s gotten into you? You used to be focused. You know the sacrifices I’ve made to get us here.”
“I do,” I say, putting my hand on my chest. “Dad, please.” My voice cracks.
His lip curls. Begging is beneath us, but I don’t see another choice.
“Please,” I say again, blinking back tears. Please don’t break your promise. Please don’t break my heart. Please don’t twist the knife in my back. Say you’re sorry. Say it was a bad idea.
For once, think about me over the business.
I’m your daughter.
Pick me.
“Rosie,” he says, decision made. “You will be CEO one day, and with that title comes responsibility.”
Every word is a hammer against my heart. Fissures spider web across the organ, cracking glass that’s beyond repair.
“You’re marrying Eric, and that’s the end of it.”
The final blow shatters me. I fight to keep the tears at bay, but my throat clogs. Heat crawls over my skin. A heavy weight settles over my chest, and I press my fingers into my shirt, trying to find my breath, but I’m suffocating. When I try to speak, all that comes out is a small, wounded sound.
The final cry of a dying animal.
Dad watches this all, expression shuttered, save for the disgust curling his lips. “Get yourself together, Rosalynn. People are watching.” And then he leaves me with the broken pieces of a promise he never intended to keep.