Damian was quiet the entire way home. Even though I worried about him, it was clear he wasn’t in the mood to talk. I tried to respect that, but when we entered our apartment, I’d finally had enough.

“What happened? I thought you liked my family, but the last little while, you checked out. Did someone offend you?”

He glanced at me, his eyes looking lost and alone rather than angry. “No. Your family’s great.”

“Then what happened?”

He sighed, shaking his head and walking through the living room toward the bedrooms. “Don’t worry about it. I have something to think about.”

Before I could even protest, he disappeared into the room reserved for his home office. The shutting door clearly told me I wasn’t to bother him.

I wanted to scream in protest, bang on the door and demand he tell me what went wrong. Then again, I wasn’t sure I had that right. He was the one in the power position in our relationship. I had to remember that he was my so-called master. He might say he wanted to forget our relationship was a contract, but I was the one who couldn’t afford to do that—especially not when he acted so weird.

Sighing, I crossed to the bedroom, deciding to take a shower while I waited for Damian to come back and speak with me.

Once I finished in the bathroom, he still wasn’t in the bedroom. I tried reading a book for a while, but all the words ran together as I worried what he could be doing in his office. A glance at the clock told me it was already nearing midnight. We only had tonight and tomorrow night left together. This was not the ending I had expected.

I tossed restlessly in the bed as I read, finally shutting off the light and closing my eyes. It felt like hours before the door cracked open. I waited in silence for Damian to say something. After a few moments, his footsteps approached the bed.

Just as I was about to speak, he said, “Good. She’s sleeping.”

Well, if that didn’t prove his desire to avoid me, nothing did. He turned and padded from the room without further word, and my throat constricted, unable to call out to him. Whatever had happened to ruin his mood tonight, I now wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

When he’d claimed to love me before, I’d done the right thing in talking him out of it. We knew nothing about each other. He didn’t know how much I’d lie awake tonight worrying about this odd behavior. And I certainly had no clue what was wrong with him.

At some point, I must have fallen asleep for real. Morning sunlight streamed through the huge bedroom windows, lighting the world behind my closed eyelids. The smell of bacon and coffee tickled my senses and I opened my eyes.

“Good morning, beautiful.” Damian’s cheerful smile was entirely counter to the grouchiness that instantly rose inside me.

“What’s so good about it?” I grumbled, sitting upright just in time for Damian to place a food tray across my lap.

“The chef made breakfast. Hurry and get ready for the day. We have a lot to do.”

I glared at him, picking up the tray and placing it on the bed beside me, the side that he should have slept in last night. “What’s the point?” My voice came out shrill. “It’s not like you want to spend time with me. Get out. I’m going back to sleep.”

“What?” His eyes were wide. “Look, I’m sorry I didn’t come in last night before you fell asleep. I tried to hurry, but there was a lot to arrange. We need to get going now and explain it all to your parents before the movers come.”

“Movers?” I shook my head, wondering if I was still half-asleep. “What movers are you talking about? I thought you weren’t moving furniture back into the Albany house. And why do we need to tell my parents?”

A wide smile split his face. He looked like the proverbial cat who got into the cream. “Not us moving. Your parents!”

“Why are my parents moving?”

“I paid cash on a new house for them last night. New cars for them both will be delivered tomorrow. Personal shoppers are buying them top-of-the-line furniture as we speak.” His smile grew wider with every sentence, while my dismay grew at the same rate. “All we have to do is pack their personal belongings and get them over there. The movers will take care of all the heavy lifting.”

Still confused, I pulled back the covers, swinging my legs from bed. “Are you saying you bought my parents a house?”

“Yeah, it was hard to do in the middle of the night, but I managed to get everything arranged. They don’t have to work anymore if they don’t want to. I’m setting up an account for them. Everything will be taken care of.”

He was so pleased with himself, and I had no idea what to say. There was no way my parents would accept this. If he was lucky, they’d understand he had tried to help instead of becoming offended. My brothers... no, they would never forgive Damian for throwing his money around like that.

“Damian, you have to cancel it.”

“What?” He shook his head, the joy erasing from his face as my words penetrated his happy bubble. “What do you mean, cancel? It’s a perfect house. They’ll be happy.”

I shook my head. “Don’t you think that they might feel like you’re judging them?”

“Judging them? I just want to give them a better life.”

“Exactly.” I tried to remember that Damian came from a world nothing like mine. He might not understand why my parents would be too proud to accept something like this. “You doing this will make them think their way of life isn’t good enough in your eyes. They work hard, always have, and they are proud of what they’ve built. You can’t just change all that without even asking and expect them to be grateful.”

Damian looked down at the floor for a few seconds, appearing to consider what I’d said. “I just want them to be happy,” he finally replied, looking up at me. “You went through something horrible. They lost you for all those years. In the meantime, they’ve worked themselves to the bone raising your brothers. They deserve to have an easy life now. They should be retiring, not still working so hard.”

It was impossible not to be a bit swayed by his logic. He had tried to do a nice thing. The fact that he couldn’t relate to people without money, couldn’t understand how they would view his actions, didn’t make his gesture any less sweet.

Forgetting my frustration with him from the night before, I took a step toward him, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my head against his chest. His arms folded around me, and the steady beat of his heart made me smile. I wished this could be how we always were, but we still had to figure out how to treat each other and get along.

“Thank you, Damian. Thank you for wanting to make their lives better.” I tipped up on my toes, pressing a quick kiss to his waiting mouth. “You have to cancel it, but I really appreciate the care you put into my family.”

“No.” His arms dropped away from me, and he took a step back. “I’m not canceling this. It’s the only thing I can do to make it up to them. I have to do this!”

“Make what up to them?” I shook my head, bewildered. “You’ve done nothing wrong. My family really likes you. I’m sure everyone wonders why you got so weird and quiet last night, however. What happened? It’s not because they’re poor... right?”

“No! No, of course not! It’s just not fair, what happened to you guys. I thought your attacker only hurt you and ruined your life, but I-he ruined your whole family. How much worse could things have been for your parents once you weren’t around to help with your brothers anymore? How much did it hurt your brothers to lose the big sister they depended on?” He paced the room, looking like a trapped animal without an escape route. “It’s not fair and I have to make up for it. I have to do something!”

His hysteria surprised me. I rushed to his side, tackling him in another hug. “Stop. Stop it! They all survived. This isn’t your problem to fix!”

“It is my problem.” His pacing stopped, but he stood lifeless in my arms, not raising his around me like normal. “I owe them.”

His odd words finally penetrated. It was almost as if Damian felt responsible for what happened to me all those years ago. “What do you mean you owe them? You didn’t do this to us. Whoever attacked me should feel bad, not you.”

He sucked in a few breaths before responding, finally shaking his head. “Of course, you’re right, but we might never find that man. I’m the one with money, and I’m the one who married you. I can help them. Please, let me help make things right.”

The fact that he thought money could fix everything was a bit sad. Even after saying he enjoyed my family, he really didn’t understand them. Not that I could blame him. His father would have used money to fix anything that went wrong in Damian’s life, I was sure. It was the only way he knew.

“They won’t want it,” I repeated. “It will hurt their feelings. To them, it will seem like you took one look at their apartment and decided they weren’t good enough to associate with you. They will feel as if you think there’s something wrong with them.”

“I’ll make it work,” he promised. “Please, just get dressed and let’s go over there. I have to help them. I have to.”

“Can’t you trust me?” I asked, shaking my head. “I thought you were starting to fall for me. I promise you, this will cause a huge problem with my whole family. They won’t want me to see you anymore once you do this. If you care about me, don’t do this.”

“It’s because I care about you that I have to. I’m a good speaker. I can make them understand. Now, get ready.”

Realizing I would not be able to dissuade him, and the contract basically forbade me from having an opinion of my own anyway, I put on clothes. If my family ended up hating him over this, it would make having a real relationship difficult. I couldn’t understand why he felt so strongly about this, but there was nothing further I could do.

“Don’t blame me when this backfires,” I told him as we left the apartment, angry that he had completely disregarded my feelings and advice. “I wish you trusted me enough to listen to what I’m saying. Nothing good will come from this.”

He offered me a smile and shook his head. “You’re wrong. They’re going to have such a good life now.”

DAMIAN

By the time we reached Ed and Sharon’s small apartment, the moving company was already there, removing objects despite Ed’s grumbling protests and threats to call the cops.

“It’s okay, Ed,” I called out, hurrying up to him without even helping Bella from the car. “They aren’t lying. I called them here.”

“Why?” Ed’s face registered the same shock and disbelief as Bella’s had when I first told her.

“I bought you a house!” I beamed at him, pleased with what I found for them on such short notice. “I wished I had time to let you and Sharon pick it out yourselves before I head to Albany tomorrow, but I’m sure you’ll be happy there. It’s beautiful. Extra bedrooms for the boys if they ever need to stay there. It’ll be fully furnished too.”

Sharon came outside to stand by Ed, obviously having given up on arguing with the moving company workers. “Why are you forcing us from our home?”

The plaintive note in her voice made my chest clench with worry. When Bella said they wouldn’t like my surprise, I’d convinced myself she was wrong. Who wouldn’t want to live in a nice house with brand-new furniture instead of a dinky apartment with a kitchen table that had a wobbly leg? There wasn’t anything else I could do to make up for having stolen the last eight years with their daughter from them.

I closed the distance between myself and Ed and Sharon, noticing that Bella was out of the car but standing next to the door of it, letting me handle the situation. I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or a bad one. I couldn’t tell if she believed in me.

When I reached her parents, I gave them my best negotiator smile. “I’m not forcing you out,” I explained, keeping my voice gentle. “Your home is full of so much warmth and love, and I truly enjoyed my time here last night. When I think about how hard you guys work, how much you’ve been through to raise your kids, I want to make your lives better.”

Ed put his arm around Sharon, holding her to his side while his glare grew. “You think having money makes you better? I’d hoped you were different, tried to give you the benefit of the doubt last night even though you married my butterfly without even meeting us first. Now, you come in here, throwing your money around, telling us we need a better life. What is it? Can’t have the voters find out your wife’s parents are poor? It’ll hurt your image and your chances for getting elected?”

Ouch! Bella had been right. I was so sure Ed and Sharon would understand what I meant by getting them a house.

“No, sir.” I shook my head as hard as I could, hoping he’d sense my sincerity. “You are some of the best people I’ve ever met. I mean that. I wish my own parents were more like you. Never in my life have I ever felt so welcomed. The way your family works...” I sighed, giving a shrug. “I can only hope Bella and I create something so beautiful.”

Sharon separated herself from Ed, giving my shoulder a pat. “Then why are you doing this to us? You can’t just move people without their consent. We love our home. This is where all our memories of our children being children are.”

Shit. I hadn’t thought about it like that. Maybe they liked their too-small apartment with the rickety table. The walls held the laughter of their lives. Still, both of them were headed for early graves with how hard they worked. Two jobs when they were both in their late fifties was too much.

“Fine,” I replied. “I understand what you’re saying. My world has never been like that, so I didn’t fully comprehend the situation. Bella tried to warn me you wouldn’t go for this, but I told myself it would be okay.”

Sharon’s smile returned, and she reached out to envelop me in a warm, matronly hug. “Thanks for thinking of us, but we’re okay.”

Ed grunted. “We’re okay as long as you get those men to put my favorite chair back.”

Suddenly, Bella was at my side. “I saw Mom hug you. Did everything get worked out?”

Ed nodded. “He’s putting our furniture back and butting out of our business. All’s good.”

Well, that wasn’t entirely what I had in mind, but for now I’d let them think that. I walked swiftly to the workers, explaining to them that I’d made a mistake and to please return everything to its rightful place.

When I rejoined the family, I held out new bankcards toward the couple. My personal banker had opened the branch last night and created new accounts for me despite the bank being closed—it was good to have connections and enough money to make it worth the bank’s while. I handed Ed the newly-printed cards that bore each of their names.

“These are for you guys.”

“What the hell is this?” Ed looked at the cards, his frown growing deeper than I’d ever seen.

“That’s an account I opened for you guys. There’s a hundred grand in there right now, but I’ll transfer more just as soon as the banks open Monday, after I liquidate a few assets. Also, brand new cars will be delivered tomorrow morning. I had them set up to go to the new house, but I’ll tell them to come here.”

Ed thrust the cards back at me. “No.”

“No?” I shook my head, confused. “What do you mean no? With this money, you and Sharon can retire. You could travel a bit, see the world, spend more time with Bella when we aren’t out on the campaign trail.”

He simply continued holding the cards toward me.

When I didn’t take them, he let them fall to the ground. “Take your filthy money and get away from my apartment. We won’t take your damn cars either. Come on, girls. We’re done here and done with this crooked politician.” Ed took one hand of each woman, turning to return to the apartment.

Bella threw me a helpless glance over her shoulder, but it seemed she didn’t dare go against her father right now. The man’s anger was a palpable force. I couldn’t understand it, but he was definitely not happy with my gifts. All I had wanted to do was make up for my mistakes. If they wouldn’t take my money, how was I supposed to make it right?

I took a preemptive step to follow them, but Ed’s parting words stopped me as he gave me one last glare, “Stay away from us.”

While I’d thought today would be a happy occasion where I grew closer to Bella’s family, instead I found myself the outsider, left on the side of the road. It was what I deserved, but I’d hoped to find a way to help them while also helping myself atone.

It looked like Bella was right. She knew her parents and I should have listened to her. They were too proud to take my money. The very thought offended them.

This had seemed like the perfect plan when I’d sat in my study last night, feeling sorry for myself as I wondered how I could repent without telling Bella and her family the truth of what happened to her that long-ago night. Providing for her parents had felt like the natural solution.

Obviously, that was wrong. No matter how good my intentions, I’d screwed up yet again. Deciding it would be best to give them some time, I hopped into the car and returned to the apartment.

When I reached the house, a text came from Bella.

Looks like Dad’s super pissed. He doesn’t want me going back there tonight.

What? But I had to return to Albany in the morning. I wasted all last night planning this surprise and waking up contacts to make it happen. I’d had no time with her. She’d been asleep, and while I’d been pleased she got enough rest, I had really wanted to hold her. I figured we’d do it tonight after getting her parents settled into the new house.

Please come home, I replied. I’m leaving first thing tomorrow. I want to spend this time together.

The reply came quickly. I wish you would have thought about that before ignoring my advice. I can’t come. My brothers are on their way here now. I have to calm them all down. Have a safe trip tomorrow. Take care.

I read the message over and over, hoping it would change or she would send a follow up saying she’d changed her mind and would return.

No such luck. My only company for the rest of the day was the cook and the housekeeper. Even though I sent a few texts throughout the afternoon, I never received another reply from Bella.