Page 110 of Bittersweet Revenge

Archie raised an eyebrow. “Fuck, don’t be so defensive. I’m glad you worked it out. You’re good for him and he adores you.”

“We’re not getting married next week though.”

“No?”

I shook my head. “I’m not ready for this. We need to get to know each other more. Be ourselves.”

Archie nodded. “So, you’re not coming with me to Brown anymore, are you?”

I felt guilty, but at the same time I didn't. He was my brother and I loved him, but I had a life to build.

I shook my head. “No, I’ll be going to Cornell with Caleb. I'm sorry, Archie.”

“Don’t be sorry. I understand. He’s your future. Well...if he can still go there.”

“What do you mean?

“I don't think it has sunk in since he refused to leave your side after what had happened. Your recovery was all he could think of, but with his father gone, he is in charge. He is now the CEO of a portfolio worth billions.”

I shrugged. “It doesn't matter. I’ll go where he will go and if he needs to stay here, I’ll stay here.”

“Okay.”

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. “Okay? Just…okay?”

“Yes,” he shrugged. “Who am I to stand in the way of love?”

I scoffed. “Now that’s just a bucket full of shit. Spill it, Archie.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ve got my own plans – with Taylor.” He winked. “Talking about her, you know you don't have to pretend to die on me to have me forgive you. I’m not even that mad about the whole Antoine thing anymore. It is actually a good thing.”

“Is it? You’re finally letting go?” I knew it would be hard for him, but it needed to be done. I was sure that university, the much-needed distance, would help.

“No, I’m going to fight harder.”

I sighed. I would not play dumb again. “Archie, I really think you need to let it go. Have you seen the extent of what she was ready to do to keep you at bay?”

“Yes, but don’t you see? It means there’s still hope. She was so worried about her own feelings for me that she pulled this.”

I grimaced. “I’m not sure you should see it like that.”

He waved his hand to stop me. “I supported your choices even when I disagreed. Can’t you just do the same for me?”

I looked down at my hands in shame. He was right. He’d supported my choices even when he clearly hadn’t approved of my attachment to Caleb. “I just don’t want you to be disappointed and suffer.”

“I don’t think I can suffer any more than I do now.” He gave me a sad smile. “Having her close enough to touch and being denied, it’s like torture.”

“What about father?” I tried a different tactic. “She is not exactly what he would approve of in a match.”

Archie chuckled and shook his head, “Father can go fuck himself. My research at the house turned out to be quite fruitful, you know. Father will never bother us again. Information is power, Esmeralda, and you and I – we have it all.”

I sat up straighter in bed. “What do you have?” I whispered as if we could be heard.

“Father’s business – the non-legal one. Evidence of a collusion, multiple briberies... Everything. If anything went to the FBI, he would spend the next twenty years in a cell.”

“Does he know what you have?”

Archie smiled and nodded once. “He knows what we have. He knows it’s hidden. I’ve got your back.”

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