Chapter 3
Beth
I stared at the middle-aged man sitting on the opposite side of my father’s desk. I wanted to launch myself across the wooden surface and wrap my hands around his neck, but that would have been too extreme. It wasn’t like what he was telling me was any fault of his. He was just the messenger, my father’s lawyer.
“We’re broke ?”
Mr. Ford’s bushy brows lifted above his droopy eyes. “Well, your father’s company was sold months ago. The house and all other assets are in jeopardy of being―”
“A simple yes, you’re freaking broke, would have sufficed, George .” I instantly felt bad for taking my anger out on poor Mr. Ford. He was a sweet guy. I just couldn’t help it. It was either resort to being flippant and sarcastic or completely lose my cool in front of the lawyer. I never let anyone witness my meltdowns.
He adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and eyed me with pity. I hated it. “I’m sorry for your loss. Victor was a good man.”
“He was,” I nodded. I missed him dearly but I was furious that he’d lied to me. Dad made me go on thinking everything was peachy even after he got sick. I almost dissolved into tears because I knew he lied so that I wouldn't drop everything and run home. For a long time, it had been me, my dad, and my younger sister. I always felt it was my duty to take care of them. Dad practically had to kick me out of the house so I would go to college out of state guilt-free. The guilt of leaving my family for so long always nagged me but knowing they were alright had been my comfort.
Damn it, Dad . I hated when he tried to protect me from everything. Sure, it was his duty, but I wasn’t twelve anymore.
“Is there anything that I can salvage...somehow?” I just graduated with my masters in Business Analysis. I always had it in mind to show Dad that he didn’t need a son to leave his business empire to. But, for the time being, I was jobless. There wasn’t much I could do to save anything but I still had to ask. “Maybe get my hand back in the company?”
Mr. Ford gave me that pitiful look again and I scowled.
“I’m sorry. What’s done is done. I do know that he tried to make things right, but he was vague about what he had planned. He said when the time was right I’d find out and I was to make sure that everything was taken care of in the legal sense.”
I stared at him with a raised brow. “That’s cryptic.” I couldn’t imagine what it was that he couldn’t tell his trusted lawyer. Mr. Ford had been around for as long as I could remember.
His shoulders lifted and he reached for his briefcase. “You know you can call me if you need help with anything, right?”
“Sure,” I murmured. What I wanted was for him to help me get Dad’s company back. I covered my shock well, but I couldn’t believe that dad sold his beloved company when he single-handedly built it with his blood and sweat.
******
The entire day came crashing down on me. After hours of making funeral arrangements and hearing more bad news, I was exhausted. Rubbing my eyes, I sighed wearily.
“Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Ford. I’ll see you out.”
“No need. How are you handling the arrangements?”
“Just fine. Thanks. I’ll see you at the funeral?”
“Of course.” I stood up just as he did and placed my hand in his outstretched one. “Take care, Beth.”
I could only nod and give him a tight smile. If I opened my mouth to say another word, I’d dissolve into tears. My sister, Melissa was eighteen and on her way to college. There was no way I could break it to her that there was no money for her education. Plus, I had to find a way to keep a roof over our heads. As I walked out of dad’s office, feet dragging and shoulders drooped, the only solution I could think of was finding a job. Pronto. “Umph.”
“Oops, sorry, Beth.”
Melissa righted herself with a small grin. I was bigger than her, so our collision didn’t rattle me as much. Wiping away any despair that might still be on my face, I asked, “What’s the rush?” It was incredible that she had any energy left since she’d been up and down with me all day.
“You have a visitor.”
I wasn’t in the mood to entertain more guests. “Another one? Mr. Ford just left.”
“Yeah, he was going down as I was heading up.”
“Who is it?” I asked, annoyed.
Melissa’s lips pursed and her light brown eyes widened. “Uh...why don’t you go and see for yourself?”
“Mel,” I growled, now suspicious. “Just tell me who it is.”
“Adam...Thorne.”
Oh. It was no secret to Melissa how much I despised that man. She always found my disdain for him amusing. Even after eight years away, I still carried a load of resentment for him. “What does he want?” I groaned.
She shrugged slender shoulders. “He didn’t say. He just asked to see you.” An impish grin lifted her lips. I was glad to see it because I knew she took Dad’s death hard. “I know we’re going through serious shit right now but can I just say that Adam is way hot?”
“ Ugh. Typical teenager,” I rolled my eyes. “He’s not .”
“Whatever. I don’t know what your problem with him is. He’s always been nice to me.”
“He’s an asshole,” I grumbled already on my way downstairs. Footsteps padded on the carpet behind me when I came to a halt and spun around. Melissa had almost collided with me again. “I’m going to see what he wants. Alone.”
“Come on, Beth. I’m sure he’s just here to give his condolences. I deserve to receive it as much as you do...and to get a look at that perfectly chiseled face.”
“Mel,” I laughed. “Get your hormones under wraps. I’ll call you down if that’s all he’s here for, okay?”
“Fine,” she huffed and stomped in the direction of her room.
Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t help smiling. My sister wasn’t wrong. As much as I didn’t like Adam, there was no denying that he was a fine male specimen. Too good-looking for his own good. Maybe that’s why he was such an ass. Men who thought they were God’s gift to women usually were. The closer I got to the sitting room, my smile dropped. I couldn’t have Adam thinking my smile was for him .
The room was empty. Hopefully, he left, so I wouldn’t have to deal with him when I was so exhausted. Movement caught my eyes and I reluctantly walked to the ajar door in the foyer. There I found Adam, pacing on the porch. He had his back turned so I admired his broad shoulders before he turned around. When he did, I almost took a step back.
I wasn’t expecting his stare to be so intense. His slashing silver eyes had always been enthralling. There was a time when I thought that it was his eyes that casted a spell on women, making them fawn over him. It could be his perfect chiseled face as Mel said. His dark blonde hair was disheveled as if he ran his fingers through it many times. After my initial subtle appraisal of Adam, my brows dipped to mimic his expression.
“Did you come here to scowl at me?”
His expression softened a bit and he let out a breath. “That’s my greeting after eight years? Let me start over. Beth, hi . It’s been a while.”
“Not long enough if you ask me.” Being rude seemed to come naturally when I was anywhere near Adam. Gazing up at him conjured the memory of the incident . I was still bitter about that God-forsaken kiss we shared and the things he’d said after.
His lips lifted slightly but his expression remained tight. “Same old Beth, I thought you’d mellow out after a few years.”
“What are you doing here?” I crossed my arms defensively around my middle ready for battle.
“I heard about your father. I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” I began to shuffle from one foot to the other because I had no idea what to do or say when Adam was being nice. Since we were kids, over a minute spent in each other’s company resulted in a verbal war. My presence just seems to get him riled up just as much as he puts me on edge. I took comfort in seeing that he was just as uncomfortable as I was.
“Is that it?”
“How I wish,” he breathed. He held up his hand and offered me an envelope. “This is for you, from your father.”
“My father? W-what are you doing with it?” I snatched the envelope from him, annoyed that something private was left in his hands.
“Relax, he gave it to my father...some time ago, I suppose.”
I gazed at the letter and then glared at him. “You didn’t read it, did you?” Why in the world wouldn’t Dad leave a private letter to me with his lawyer?
“Seriously? When have I ever been that interested in anything concerning you, Beth?”
“Good point. Thanks for the delivery. See you around.” I stepped back inside, prepared to close the door. I just knew that another minute with Adam would lead to an argument and I was drained. It hit me then how awful I must look and I found myself running a hand over my hair self-consciously. I was immediately annoyed with myself. Since when did I care how I looked in front of Adam?
His palm landed on the door. “Not so fast. There’s something else.”
I peered at his hands, prepared for him to pull out another envelope. “What?”
His low groan had my eyes flying to his face to take in his pained expression. “I can’t believe I’m really playing into the foolishness,” he hissed. “Beth...I need you to...we’re going to have to get married.”
Deafening silence was a phrase I never quite understood until then. There wasn’t a sound, just Adam and I staring at each other. My eyes shifted from side to side, waiting for whoever was playing a practical joke on me to jump out. Or maybe it was Adam fucking around. He was twenty-eight but I was pretty sure he was still immature enough to try and prank me for a laugh.
“Incredible. Do you mean to tell me that you haven’t matured an ounce in eight years? My God, Adam, you’re almost thirty.”
He frowned. “What?”
“Marry you? Very funny.”
“Beth, I’m not―”
“My father just died and you think it’s a good time to get a laugh at my expense? You’re sick.”
There was a tick in his jaw. “I wish this was me joking around. I really do. Unfortunately, I’m serious. Look, you have to marry me so that I can keep control of... my company. It’s stupid but hear me out―”
“You’ve obviously lost your mind.”
“Beth―”
I slammed the door. I had to or I’d end up slapping him. Again . I wasn’t proud of losing my temper that time he kissed― we kissed. It took me a while to admit that I kissed him back but I’d die with that secret.
“Just read the letter, Beth!” He shouted.
I stared at the envelope for a few seconds, afraid to open it. I was pissed, confused, and tired. Right at the door, I opened it. It was in my father’s handwriting, not something typed up by his secretary. My heart began to pound as I read the letter.
Barely able to make sense out of it, I yanked the door open only to find out that Adam was gone.