Chapter Twenty-nine
Sadie
I should have taken a sick day. That was the plan. Wake up in Ashton’s arms, kiss his gorgeous lips some more, go grab breakfast, then spend the day together discovering the newness of us. Instead, I’m sitting in my father’s office about to get another of his famous lectures.
The knot in my stomach tightens. Though I left Ashton at the hotel just last night, it feels longer. After I returned home, I tossed and turned for hours, unable to sleep as I was too busy imagining all kinds of scenarios.
Ashton and Corinne together, him touching her the way he touched me, telling her how gorgeous she is, whispering the same words he said to me. I’m green with jealousy, knowing that she has a connection to him that I don’t have.
A tie that binds.
Something forever linking them together.
And then I feel guilty for thinking such thoughts because I don’t even know if it’s true. Her emergency could have ended in tragedy, and the sliver of relief at that idea only adds to my tab of guilt.
“You look tired, sweetheart,” my father says.
I cross my legs and settle my hands in my lap. “I didn’t sleep much last night.”
The hard lines of his face soften—it’s the closest to sympathy I’ll ever see from my father. “I didn’t sleep well either. I realize our conversation about JJ didn’t go well yesterday, but I hope you’ve at least had some time to think things through.”
“There’s nothing to think through. My insomnia has nothing to do with you or Jake.”
“I think it has everything to do with him.” With a sigh, he shifts in his seat and steeples his fingers above the desk. “I know he hurt you.”
“He didn’t hurt me, Dad. He pissed me off.”
“I think his mistake hurt you, and I think you’re using Ashton to get back at him.”
I have to bite back a snicker. He’s so off base he’s not even on the same playing field. “Ashton has nothing to do with Jake.” I lean forward, entreating my father to understand where I’m coming from. “Jake did me a favor. I’d rather find out about his true colors now than later.”
My father hardens his jaw. “There’s no question he made a mistake.”
“Then why are you pushing this?”
He rubs his trim beard. “Every marriage will face hardships. He’s a good match with good connections. He’ll provide for you.”
I count to ten to keep from rolling my eyes. “This is the twenty-first century. I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
“I know you are, sweetheart. But who else is going to step into my shoes here at the firm after I’m gone?”
And suddenly, I understand. As an only child—and a girl at that—I’m a massive disappointment to him, especially since I broke his heart by refusing to go to law school. He wants me to marry Jake so he can take over someday. It’s all so clear now, and more disturbing than ever. My father cares more about his legacy than his own flesh and blood.
“You owe it to me to fix things with JJ. At least try, Sadie.”
I grip the arms of the chair. “How can you put this on me?”
“Your mother and I gave you the best of everything. The best opportunities, the best education. I don’t feel I’m asking too much in return.”
I jump to my feet. “So let me get this straight. Because you were a good parent to me, finically, I owe it to you to marry a cheating bastard of your choosing?”
The instant his nostrils flare, I know I’ve pissed him off, but he remains unmoving behind his desk, the illusion of his calm facade firmly intact. “All I’m asking is that you give him another chance.”
“I don’t love him!”
“Is this about Ashton? Do you fancy yourself in love with him?”
“That’s none of your goddamn business.” I flinch at the anger in my tone.
He stands on the other side of the desk, red in the face. “You might not live under my roof anymore, but I’m still your father, not to mention your employer. I won’t tolerate you speaking to me like that.”
I don’t think I’ve ever been so furious. The blood in my veins reaches the boiling point as it rushes through me. “I’m done with you meddling in my life.” Too many beats pass, heavy with indecision, but eventually, I utter the worlds I’ve wanted to say for months.
For years.
“I quit.” I’m not only talking about my job. I’m done being a slave to his demands. It doesn’t matter how hard I try to please him—I’ll never be good enough. Not unless I’m a lawyer following in his footsteps, or married to one.
“Don’t be irresponsible. Quitting your job isn’t necessary.”
“No, it’s absolutely necessary.” I leave his office before he can argue further, my decision made. I make a beeline for my desk and clear out the few personal items in the drawers, stuffing them into my oversized purse. Anything else, I’ll come back for later.
As I turn to leave, I catch the sight of my father standing in the doorway of his office. I can’t pinpoint his expression—it’s a cocktail of anger, hurt, and disappointment. My chest aches, the little girl in me silently crying over what will never be.
I know he loves me. I’ve never questioned that. But he’s never been good at showing it. He’s even worse at loosening his hold on other people’s lives. He’s strangely silent as I walk past him toward the elevator, and that stuns me since part of me expects him to use his father voice to halt me in my tracks.
To demand I fall in line.
My heart is thumping too fast in my chest when the doors of the elevator slide open, and I escape inside. A deep voice calls my name, and when I glance up, I find Jake hurrying toward me, his long legs covering the distance between us too quickly. I hold my breath until the doors slide shut, and only then do I exhale.
This is twice in the last twelve hours I’ve made a quick getaway in an elevator. The devastation on Ashton’s face from the night before flashes through my mind, and my heart clenches. He’s the one person I want to run to right now. But he’s the last person I can go to about anything.