Epilogue 1 #2
“Yes, well.” He smiles softly. “We all have our demons. Mine are too many to number. In any case, my habit of marrying is seldom for the sake of my ex-wives. It’s always for the regard of my children.
That is one area where I will not accept any blame; my love for my offspring.
For all of them,” he says meaningfully. “It is significant, and one of the reasons I’ve built the empire I have.
I’ve never been adept with emotions, but I see it as my duty to provide, and I have lived up to that standard. With all but one.”
I polish off my first glass of wine and reach for the second. “I don’t require anyone to provide for me.”
“No, you do not,” he agrees. “A point that brings me great pride.” After a pause, he goes on.
“Your mother was the only woman I can truly say I ever loved. You must understand; I was always upfront with my partners that monogamy was not for me. I was happy to marry, but very clear on that point, which led to divorces.”
“You could’ve stayed single,” I point out flatly.
“I could’ve, yes. But I wanted to give my children some stability in their formative years. Perhaps that was a mistake; perhaps not.” He shrugs. “I’m not here to belabor that point.”
“Then why are you here?” I ask wearily. “Why am I here?”
“To listen, for just a bit longer. Back to your mother. If I can point to a single great love in my life, it would be her. Hunter was born of love, not passion like most of my other children. I like to think that’s why he’s so successful.”
“He’s also less emotional than marble statues.”
“I disagree. He’s just extremely adept at masking what he feels.
Like me, he has his own demons.” Reynard sips his drink.
“After I left your mother and remarried, I remained very fond of her. So much so that I couldn’t stay away for long.
By my third marriage, I’d already admitted to myself the error of my ways, and Kendra and I ran into each other at an art gallery.
This was the starting point of our relationship, which led to your conception. ”
“A relationship you had while married to your third wife.”
“Yes.” Reynard nods. “I was quite straightforward with Maya that our union likely would not be permanent, and it would certainly not be monogamous. She didn’t seem to mind…
until she found out that Kendra was pregnant again.
At the same time that Maya was pregnant.
That’s when a great deal changed.” He sighs, reaching up to rub his eyebrows.
“I believe she worried that I’d give more attention to you, the product of love, than to her child—the product of lust. She threatened to publicly accuse me of abuse and take away my children if I didn’t denounce and disinherit you, and keep our contact minimal.
After a legal battle, we signed a contract; she ceases with her threats and bullshit, which could’ve ruined my life. And I keep my distance from you.”
My lips part as I stare at him. Is he saying that his cold shoulder, his disregard, his lack of investment in my life… was because he was blackmailed? By his wife, no less?
I almost want to laugh, because that’s an excellent case of karma biting him in the ass. Only his karma also took a great toll on me.
“But…” I frown, giving my head a shake. “There were Christmas parties. Holidays that I got an invite to—”
“Yes, that was allowed for the sake of publicity, but that was all that was allowed. I could not pay a dime for your life, and I could not form a personal connection with you.”
What. The. Fuck? My head spins with millions of questions, each of them compounding until I think I might explode.
I drink my second glass of wine instead, barely tasting it. I am far too sober for this shit.
“Okay.” I let out a shrill laugh. “One of your wives gets vindictive when you cheat, even though you said you would.” Another, more hysterical laugh.
“Why reach out to me now? I’m twenty-four.
I’m reasonably successful. And, forgive me, I’m the most well-rounded adult of your children, aside from Hunter. ”
“Yes, you are,” Reynard agrees wearily. “I didn’t learn of your mother’s illness until about a year ago.
When I found out, I fired my legal team, hired a new one, and had them comb through the contract Maya forced me to sign.
I also had them look into the prenup I had her sign, and hired a few private investigators to dig into her.
The lawyers found an obscure loophole we could exploit in her contract, and the investigators…
” he releases a derisive laugh. “Found that she was cheating on me as well, with multiple men. It took time, but eventually, I got out of the contract, and ensured she lost her leverage. Even had her sign an affidavit admitting to her blackmailing me with false accusations, which I can release at any time.” He smooths a hand down his tie.
“My fiancée actually helped me quite a lot in this endeavor. She’s a lawyer herself, and was quite sympathetic to my cause, not that I deserved it. ”
“I… see,” I say with a frown.
I don’t see. This is going to take mountains of therapy to unwind. My brain is so fucked right now, I’m surprised I haven’t keeled over.
Instead of facing this newfound information and taking it like an adult, I sip more wine. Reynard doesn’t comment.
“I’m not going to ask for your forgiveness or even understanding. That’s far too premature, and I’m self-aware enough to know I don’t deserve it.”
“Then what do you want?”
“An opportunity,” he responds simply. “Time to get to know you. I’ve looked after you from afar, of course, but that’s like watching an actor on screen. I’d like to know you as my daughter.”
I rub my temples. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. Even if it is, I need time to process.”
“Take all the time you need.” He smiles. “I can finally offer that freely. I won’t pressure you. I won’t hold money or prestige over your head. I won’t bargain with you. I’ve told you what I want, and if you never want that, I understand. But, if you find it in yourself to, give me a call.”
“If you’ll excuse me.” He stands, and casts me a lingering look filled with fondness. “I do hope you reach out, Victoria.”
I watch him leave the balcony. He finds his fiancee, a gorgeous woman in her twenties, at the top of the stairs. The two share a passionate kiss before descending back downstairs.
It’s strange. Reynard really does look like he loves her, when he’s all but admitted that he’ll cheat on her. I’m curious to find out what made him like… this.
I sit in silence for a while, tucked under the throw-blanket and clutching my wineglass, staring at the moon hanging high in the sky, shrouded by thousands of stars.
That’s where Asher finds me some indeterminate amount of time later. “Hey,” he says softly.
I smile at him. “Hey yourself. Did you have a nice catch up with your grandparents?”
“I did. My grandmother loves you, by the way. She couldn’t stop gushing about how beautiful and clever you are. My grandfather even seemed to approve, which is no small feat.”
“And your brother?” I ask. Asher picks me up, takes a seat on the stuffed lounger chair, and deposits me on his lap.
“I think he actually noticed you, which is good. He probably sees you as a worthy adversary on account of your work and your brother.”
I cast him a frown over my shoulder. “Adversary? Why do I have to be an adversary?”
“He doesn’t have friends, and you’re not enough of a threat to be seen as an enemy.
As far as I’ve seen, he places people he notices in a few categories; ally, adversary, enemy, or lover.
You’re not an enemy, lover, or ally, so you’re an adversary.
Worthy of caution and respect.” He kisses my shoulder.
“When can we get you out of this dress?”
“When can we get you out of this suit?” I sigh. After comfortably going years without sex, I’m perpetually horny, thanks to Asher’s stunning ability to deliver earth-shattering orgasms.
“Not for a while. I plan to fuck you in it at least once.”
“Well.” I shift in his lap so I’m facing him, and lean in to kiss his neck. “We should probably get to that, shouldn’t we?”