Page 51 of Three Reckless Words

“Holden behaved like he wasentitledto me, Dad.” I know I sound angry. It’s all coming out now, every last scoop of hurt he served up over the years.

“Your union was a hope of ours for a long time.”

“That doesn’t mean he could come and go as he pleased. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t have totry. Is it so hard to buy meflowers or take me out to a nice orchard with bees? I don’t need expensive presents. I just want him towantto be with me.”

“What are you saying? Of course he wants to be with you.” Dad’s voice is reasonable now. “I wish you could hear yourself. You’re not thinking clearly.”

“No, Dad. I’m thinking perfectly clear for the first time in my life. Ever since you told me he was going to propose and you just expected me to say yes.”

Why did I say yes?

Why did I go along with any of it when it made me so heartsick?

“He’s a forgiving young man,” Dad says. “I know this mess has been horribly embarrassing for him as well, but I know he’ll be able to move past it if you come back. Just think about it, Winnie. Merging our families means all the resources and opportunities you could ever want for yourself and your future children—”

Children?

Children?

I laugh hysterically, cutting him off.

“Kids? With him? You’vegotto be kidding.” There’s no way I could have so much as a puppy with that man—literally, too, seeing as Holden is allergic to, like, anything with fur.

How I went this long thinking I could survive with Prince Anti-Charming feels mind-boggling. Totally insane.

“I’m not doing it,” I say loudly, in case he hasn’t gotten the message. “Marrying Holden—no way. I can’t. I won’t.”

“So what now? You’re throwing your whole life away to run off to Kansas City and do what, exactly?”

I swallow thickly.

That’s a valid question, but at least for the next month, my life is sorted. “I have… things.”

“Things,” he spits back. “I see.”

“I do! I found a place that needs a beekeeper—”

“Are you serious?” He barks out a brutal laugh that chills my spine before his voice turns glacial. “You’re an adult and you can make your own decisions. I can’t stop that. However, that doesn’t mean we’ll stand by and support you while you trash your entire life. Especially when you throw away every opportunity we’ve ever given you.”

“Dad—”

“No, Wynne. Your feelings may matter to you, but they won’t change my mind. I also won’t have you relying on us to bankroll your mistakes,” he says, his voice hard. “Consider your trust gone.”

My stomach drops through the floor.

Holy shit.

Holy shit!

The trust is what I’ve relied on to pay for everything. It’smine, and it has been mine since my eighteenth birthday. I haven’t been expecting to live off of it forever without working, no, but it was a steady backup. A reliable money cushion.

Having a trust fund is a special privilege I’m very well aware of, yes, so I want to make the most of it, to use it to pursue something that matters.

But now if it’s gone—

At least I still have my grandparents’ trust. It’s not as big, but it’ll give me a month here. I can use that time to figure out my plans.

Get a new job somewhere. Start fresh.

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