Chapter 21
twenty-one
. . .
Meghan
The lush greenery of the Columbus Botanical Conservatory did little to distract me from the shitstorm raging in my mind. Sunlight shone through the glass dome overhead, casting a lattice of shadows on the stone path beneath my feet. I inhaled deeply, willing the heavy scent of damp earth and candy-sweet blooms to soothe my frayed nerves.
Fat chance.
My life had gone from complicated to a certified clusterfuck in the span of a few days. The grainy tabloid photos of Wick, Marco and me burned behind my eyelids every time I blinked. I could still hear the tense conversation between Wick and Emmett, the furious accusations and barely leashed violence in their voices.
What a mess.
Our fragile bubble of bliss had been shanked by the serrated blade of reality. Now I had to figure out how the hell to piece it all back together. My phone vibrated. When I saw it was a text from Emmett, I knew things were only going to get worse before they got better.
EMMETT
I would appreciate it if you and Wick found somewhere else to be during the company’s Memorial Day picnic.
My heart sank.
MEGHAN
Seriously, Emmett? I have never missed a picnic! I’m helping plan the damn thing. I’m the emcee!
EMMETT
Callie can handle the planning. I’ll take over your role as emcee.
MEGHAN
You’re being ridiculous.
EMMETT
Just…please Meg?
I shook my head, squared my shoulders, and waded deeper into the vibrant foliage. It was time to move from one uncomfortable conversation to the next.
Over the years, this place had become a sanctuary for me, an escape from the pressures and expectations that came with being a Price. Some of my fondest memories were of wandering these winding paths with my father when I was a little girl, marveling at the exotic flowers and listening to him explain the intricacies of the family business.
But even the tranquility of the conservatory couldn’t quell the anxiety churning in my gut. Because today, I wasn’t here to admire the foliage. I was here to face the firing squad.
The charity committee meeting had been called with little notice. I had no illusions about the reason behind it. The scandal of my relationship with Wick and Marco had been splashed across every tabloid and gossip site in the city, painting me as some kind of debauched harlot who couldn’t keep her legs closed. Never mind that what I did in my private life was no one’s damn business but my own.
As I approached the conference room, I could already hear the low murmur of voices from within, no doubt discussing how best to handle the PR nightmare created by my ‘sordid affair.’ Well, they could judge and speculate all they wanted. I wasn’t going to apologize for who I was or who I loved.
Love. The word sent a bittersweet pang through my chest. I loved Wick with a ferocity that sometimes scared me, loved his quiet strength and steadfast loyalty, the way he saw past my polished veneer to the vulnerable heart beneath. And Marco. Marco had carved out a place for himself in my soul, with his wicked humor and searing passion.
They were my everything, my whole world, and I would be damned if I let anyone take that away from me.
When I entered the room, a dozen faces swiveled towards me, some curious, some pitying, some openly hostile. I recognized most of them—society matrons and business tycoons, the cream of the Columbus elite. Some of them had known me since I was in diapers, had watched me grow up in the glare of the spotlight.
Veronica Sinclair sat at the head of the table, her eyes alight with malicious glee. She had been waiting for this moment—the chance to take me down a peg. Beside her was my mother, her face a mask of cold disapproval. “Meghan, darling.” Veronica’s voice dripped with false concern. “So good of you to join us. We were just discussing the...situation.”
I met her gaze steadily. “And what situation would that be, Veronica? The fact that I’m in a happy, committed relationship with two people who love and respect me? Or the fact that you’ve decided to make my private life your personal vendetta?”
A gasp rippled through the room at my bluntness, but I didn’t care. I was done playing by their rules.
“Meghan, please,” my mother cut in. “This is hardly the time or place for histrionics. The fact of the matter is, your choices have brought shame and scandal upon this family and this committee. We simply cannot allow such behavior to continue unchecked.”
I let out a mocking laugh. “Shame and scandal? That’s rich, coming from you, Mother. Tell me, how many affairs have you swept under the rug over the years? How many indiscretions have you covered up to maintain that precious Price reputation?”
Her face paled, her lips thinning into a tight line. But I wasn’t finished. “You want to talk about choices? Fine, let’s talk. I choose to live my life authentically, to love openly and honestly. I choose to surround myself with people who lift me up who see me for who I am, not what I can do for them. And if that means I have to give up my seat on this committee, or my place in this so-called high society, then so be it. Because I will not compromise my integrity or my happiness for anyone, least of all a bunch of narrow-minded hypocrites who wouldn’t know real love if it bit them in the ass.”
The room exploded into chaos, voices raised in shock and outrage. But through it all, I kept my head high. I had said my piece, and I meant every word—even if it cost me something I had worked so hard for.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce tonight’s guest of honor, Miss Meghan Price! ”
The ballroom erupted into applause as I stepped up to the podium, my cobalt blue gown shimmering under the chandeliers. It was my first major charity event, a gala to raise funds for the children’s hospital, and I had worked tirelessly for months to make it a success.
I looked out over the sea of faces. My mother and father sat at the head table, their expressions proud and approving. Emmett grinned at me from his place beside them, giving me a surreptitious double thumbs up.
And there, at the back of the room, I glimpsed a familiar face. Wick. He was dressed in a sharp tuxedo, his dark hair slicked back, his hazel eyes warm and encouraging as they met mine. My heart stuttered and a flush rose to my cheeks. He had come. Despite his busy schedule, despite the fact that this wasn’t really his scene. He had come to support me.
I took a deep breath to settle my nerves and began to speak.
“Thank you all so much for being here tonight. As many of you know, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital has always held a special place in my heart. When I was a little girl, I spent a lot of time there visiting my cousin, who was being treated for acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I remember how scared and helpless I felt. But I also remember the kindness of the nurses and doctors, the way they went above and beyond to make Piper feel safe and cared for. They became like a second family to her, and I swore that one day, I would find a way to give back, to help other children and their families going through the same thing.”
My voice wavered. But I swallowed hard and pressed on.
“Piper left the hospital in full remission. Today, she’s living her life to the fullest and owns her own bakery in a small town she has made home. Because the Nationwide Children’s Hospital is more than just a building. It’s a beacon of hope, a place where miracles happen every day. And with your generous support tonight, we can ensure that it continues to be that for generations to come. Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and happy, to pursue their dreams without the burden of illness holding them back. That’s what this is all about—giving them that chance, that future. So please, dig deep and give what you can. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of these brave little fighters.”
There was another wave of thunderous applause, and I felt a swell of pride. This was what I was meant to do—to use my privilege and platform to make the world a little brighter. As I stepped down from the podium and made my way through the crowd, accepting congratulations and thank yous, I caught Wick’s eye once more.
He raised his glass to me in a silent toast, his smile warm and proud and full of something I couldn’t quite name. Something that made my breath catch and my skin tingle. Something that made me feel nervous and exhilarated but also completely safe.
The memory faded, and I was back in the chaos of the conference room. But I held onto that feeling, that sense of purpose and rightness. I had earned my place here. And I wouldn’t let anyone take that from me, not even the people who were supposed to love me most.
“I think we’ve heard quite enough,” Veronica’s voice sliced through the din. “It’s clear that Miss Price is no longer fit to serve on this committee or to represent the values we hold dear. I move that we vote to remove her, effective immediately.”
“Seconded,” my mother said, not even bothering to look at me .
I braced myself for the onslaught, for the humiliation of being cast out, rejected. But then a voice spoke up from the other end of the table. “Let’s hold on just a minute,” Callie said, rising to her feet and coming to stand at my side. I’d almost forgotten she had joined me on this committee. She lifted her chin in defiance. “Meghan is one of the most dedicated, compassionate people I know. Her personal life has no bearing on her ability to do good in this world. And frankly, I’m appalled that we’re even having this conversation. We should be applauding her courage, not condemning her for it.”
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room, the tide slowly turning. Doubt flickered in Veronica’s eyes, and my mother’s mouth tightened in frustration. They had underestimated me, underestimated the loyalty of the people who truly knew me.
I cleared my throat, blinking back the tears. “I appreciate the support, truly. But I don’t need this committee’s approval or acceptance to continue the work I believe in. I know who I am and what I stand for. So vote if you must. But I will walk out of here with my head held high, whatever the outcome. Because I have something far more precious than any title or position—I have my integrity, and the love of the people who matter most.”
With that, I looked to Callie, who simply nodded and followed me as I turned on my heel and strode out of the room. I had made my choice. And I would face it with the same strength and grace that had carried me this far.
“To Meghan fucking Price!” Callie raised her glass to me, then we threw back our shots of tequila and winced as the alcohol burned its way down our throats. “Seriously, Meg, you’re my hero.”
I laughed. “I don’t know about that. I’m just trying to be true to myself.”
Callie grabbed a handful of wasabi peas and leaned back against the cushy booth. “That’s exactly what makes you so damn brave. Not everyone has the guts to stand up for who they are and what they want.”
I sighed, swirling the ice in my empty water glass. “I wish Emmett could see it that way. He’s been giving me the cold shoulder ever since he found out.”
“Hey.” Callie reached across the table and gripped my hand. “Emmett loves you, Meg. He’s your brother. He just needs some time to wrap his head around it all.”
“You really think so?”
“I know so. This is Emmett we’re talking about.”
My throat ached and my eyes burned with the threat of more tears. “I hope you’re right.”
“I am. And in the meantime, you’ve got me. And Wick and Marco. We’re your family too, and we’re not going anywhere.”
I smiled, a warm tide of gratitude washing over me. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Cal. You are definitely the better half of the newest Price couple.”
She grinned, signaling the waiter for another round. “I know.”
As the tequila flowed and the conversation turned to lighter things, and a flicker of hope take root in my chest.
Maybe Callie was right. Maybe everything would be okay.