Chapter 20
TWENTY
I’ve realized I’m always looking at her
MICAH
I have some business to attend to in Boston.
It could have easily been done through Zoom or a phone call, but my dad has been very adamant about keeping me busy.
He frames it as preparation—long drives, client stamina, whatever story makes it sound intentional—but I know what it actually is.
He's seen me slipping off his schedule, and this is his way of pulling the leash.
The fact that I have classes, that I'm actually a student, doesn't register as a competing priority.
What matters to him is that I stop being distracted. And by distracted, he means Sophie.
He told me to stop by his office before I head back home. He needs to speak with me, and I’m hoping it’s not what I think it’s about.
“Good morning, Mr. Vale,” my dad’s secretary greets me as I approach her.
“Hey Lauren. Is my dad in?” I ask.
“He is. He’s waiting for you. You can go in,” she says, gesturing to the door to his office.
My father stands by the window of his office, hands clasped behind his back like he’s addressing an employee, not his son.
“You know this girl has a messy history,” he starts. “Her father’s in jail. Her mother abandoned her and comes crawling back for money. From her own daughter. You know these traits are passed down, right? Whatever she grew up seeing, she’s going to perceive as normal.”
His tone is sharp, calculated, every word meant to cut.
My jaw tightens. “You don’t even know her.”
He turns to face me, his expression unreadable but his tone cold. “You’re hardheaded. Determined. Maybe even more than Lucas, and I know you won’t stop seeing her because I tell you to. But ideally, the head of The Vale Group needs to be with someone of the same status.”
Same status.
I think of my mom—how she wasn’t some society darling or a wealthy heiress. She was just an artist my dad fell in love with. He hadn’t cared about “status” then. Hell, I’m almost certain they never even signed a prenup, because he was so sure about her.
But I don’t say that yet.
He raises an eyebrow. “I know you bought her a car.”
My shoulders stiffen, but I keep my tone even. “So? Our family has plenty.”
“Did she ask you for one? Or did she act like she’s some helpless little girl?” He sighs. “I never thought you of all people would get so easily manipulated by some girl, Micah. Lucas? Maybe—God knows what goes on in his head. But you?”
I try to keep my composure. Don’t react.
He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t even blink. “What’s next, Micah? She’s going to ask for a house? Get pregnant? You think this girl is in it for love, but girls like her—they see opportunity.”
“Don’t talk about her like that.” I snap. My hands curl into fists at my sides. “Like I said, you don’t know her.”
He steps closer, his voice dropping, every word sharp and deliberate.
“If you continue to be distracted with this kind of girl, I’ll make sure she has nothing.
I’ll take away her housing. I’ll have Westcliffe expel her if I have to.
The car? Fine—what’s done is done. But from now on, nothing goes to Sophie Lennox without my approval. ”
He’d do this to her even knowing everything she’s been through—knowing her past. This is exactly the kind of thing Luke hated. The reason he wanted nothing to do with this company. Our father doesn’t care about people.
Fuck. I want to tell him right now—tell him that if he so much as touches her life, I’ll walk away from the company just like Luke did.
But I can’t. Not yet.
If I leave now, I have nothing—nothing except The Haven.
I can’t support Sophie without the resources I have through him, not the way I want to—need to.
At least until her stepfather is gone for good.
I have to stay in this long enough to graduate, long enough to get more properties and assets in my name.
For now, I have to be smart.
“Micah,” he sighs, like he’s being generous, “There are plenty of better options for you. If you want a girlfriend, just say the word and I’ll find you one. Someone who fits the image of this company. Your future empire.”
I can’t listen to this anymore. My jaw is tight, my pulse pounding. I need to get out of here before I say something I can’t take back.
Fuck. I should’ve done what Luke did. Started my own thing. He walked away from all of this. Lucky bastard.
The drive home feels endless. Rush hour traffic doesn’t help, but it’s my dad’s voice replaying in my head that really makes it drag.
I run through my options, but one thing keeps coming back to me—I need to talk to Luke.
He’s smart. His grades are not as good as mine, but in his own way, the guy’s a genius.
He built Evergreen at fifteen—with my dad’s financial help only for the first year—and now he pulls in millions in donations from some of the biggest companies in the country.
Hell, billionaires fly in from all over the world just to attend his events.
And he does all of this while still being a student on a Westcliffe scholarship of his own.
Without publicly exposing who he really is.
If he weren’t so damn altruistic, he would’ve been the perfect heir to The Vale Group. My dad would worship him for it—they’d rule the world together, and my dad would die happy.
But that’s not Luke.
He probably has less money in his personal account than most college students. I mean he asked me to let him live at The Haven rent free. He lives like he’s broke, yet he gives away millions every year in scholarships and donations to people who need it.
And I can’t help but think—this is what drives my dad crazy. Luke is everything he can’t control, but he’s untouchable because my dad sees so much of himself in him.
I pull into The Haven, already feeling lighter just knowing Sophie’s here. She said she’d be waiting, and damn, only if I could come home to her every single day.
The elevator doors slide open, and the first thing that hits me is the smell—garlic, butter, and steak. My stomach growls instantly.
“Woah, what’s going on?” I ask, stepping inside and seeing Sophie in my kitchen, focused, her hair slightly messy, an apron tied around her waist as she slices into a perfectly seared steak.
She glances up, her whole face lighting up. “You’re here!”
Before I can say anything else, she sets the knife down, unties the apron, and runs to me. She jumps, wrapping her arms around my neck, and I catch her easily, holding her close. Without thinking, I kiss her like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Just in time,” she says, breathless and smiling.
I hug her closer, glancing over her shoulder at the plates on the counter. “What is all this? And why are you in such a good mood?” I ask, narrowing my eyes playfully, though I can’t stop the grin tugging at my lips.
She slips out of my hold, grabs her phone from the counter, scrolls for a second, then turns the screen toward me, her eyes sparkling.
Subject: Congratulations, Ms. Lennox – You’ve Been Awarded the Evergreen Promise Scholarship
Dear Sophie,
We are thrilled to inform you that you have been selected as a recipient of the Evergreen Promise Scholarship, which will fully cover your tuition, housing, and all other necessary expenses to support your studies from next semester through the completion of your law degree.
Your dedication, resilience, and outstanding academic performance stood out among an exceptional pool of applicants. The selection committee was deeply moved by your determination to pursue law and your commitment to making a meaningful impact…
“Congratulations, baby,” I say, pulling her in for a quick kiss. “I told you you had a chance.”
“This is all thanks to you, Micah,” she says, looking up at me with those big brown eyes. “I would’ve never even found this scholarship if it weren’t for you.”
I shake my head. “No, Sophie. This is all because of how hard you work.”
Her smile softens, almost shy. “Things are really starting to look up for me.”
“Guess I’m your good luck charm,” I tease, shrugging at her as I pull her in for another kiss. “You should keep me around forever.”
Her cheeks flush, and it’s so damn cute I can’t stop grinning.
“Well,” she says, still blushing, “I wanted to thank you for being my good luck charm, so I decided to cook you dinner.”
I glance toward the kitchen, raising an eyebrow. “I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in years. You went all out with steak? You could’ve made something cheaper, Sophie.”
She shrugs lightly, smiling. “Well, with this scholarship, a lot of my expenses will be covered now. So I have a little room to spend.”
“And you’re spending it on me?” I press a hand over my heart, feigning dramatics. “I’m touched.”
“Of course, Micah. I’d do so much more for you if I could.” She says it softly, but there’s a sincerity in her voice that hits me straight in the chest.
Then her face brightens, and she adds, “Oh! And I was able to quit my job at the bookstore. I don’t think I need it anymore, and I’d rather use the time to study so I can actually do well on the LSAT next year and get into law school.
I was debating whether to quit that or the cafe, but…
” She glances at me, cheeks pinking again.
“I figured working at the cafe gives me more of an excuse to see you, since you live right here.”
I can’t help but smile at her. I lean closer. “You don’t need an excuse to see me, Sophie. Just come see me.”
Sophie’s still smiling as she sets the plates down—perfectly cooked steak, roasted potatoes, and green beans.
“Sit,” she says, motioning to my usual spot at the counter.
I take the seat, leaning an elbow on the cool quartz. She looks like she belongs here. I don’t know what it is about her—she could be unwrapping a stick of gum and I’d still be completely locked in.
“You didn’t have to do all this,” I tell her again.
“I wanted to.” She slides into the seat across from me, resting her chin in her hand like she’s settling in for a conversation.