Page 253 of Champagne Nights

It took everything I had not to grab him by his shirt and punch the shit out of him, father or not.

“All I’m saying is you’ll eventually thank your mother. Anyway, I have to go. We’ll discuss the transfer another time when things are right, and you are calmed down. As for now, things will remain the same. We’re going to the country club tonight. Why don’t you join us? Maybe you’ll meet a nice girl that will help you get over Ellie.”

“I can’t. I’m going out with Ben and Frankie tonight.” I lied.

“Another time, then.” He got up from his seat. “Now I have to go talk to your sister, who ran up a monstrous charge at the Plaza.” He shook his head as he walked out of my office.

Grabbing the coffee mug I had sitting on my desk, I threw it in a fit of rage, hitting a picture on the wall as both the picture and the mug shattered.

“Henry, are you okay?” June asked as she came running into my office.

“That man infuriates me,” I shouted.

“I’ll give maintenance a call and get them up here to clean that up.”

“Thanks, June.” I let out a sigh.

I needed to get Ellie alone somewhere and talk to her. Somewhere where it was just the two of us without any distractions. I couldn’t live my life knowing she hated me. I’d already hated myself for hurting her so badly, and I needed to make things right. Either the plan I was crafting was going to work, or she’d end up hating me even more.

Chapter Twenty-Six

ONE WEEK LATER

Ellie

I’d woken up with a heaviness in my heart. The same heart that was trying to heal but couldn’t. My mom told me that time heals all wounds. This was more than a wound, and I was certain that no amount of time could piece it fully back together. I was in the kitchen making a cup of coffee when my phone lit up with a text message from Frankie.

“Morning, Ellie. Can you stop by the gallery today? There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Good morning. Sure. I can come by. What time?”

“Whenever you’re ready. I’m here all day.”

“Okay. I’ll get dressed and see you soon.”

I took the subway to the gallery, and when I stepped inside, Frankie smiled and held up his finger to let me know he’d be over in a minute, for he was on the phone. I was walking around looking at the new art pieces he got in when he walked over and placed his hand on my arm.

“How are you?” he asked.

“I’m good. I see you got some new pieces in.”

“Aren’t they beautiful?”

I smiled and nodded my head. “Why did you want to see me?”

“I had an art dealer in here the other day, and he saw some of your paintings. He would like to talk to you.”

“Okay. Do you have his number?”

“Um, he wants you to come to Malibu.”

“Malibu, California?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“He just said he was inspired by your artwork and wants to meet with you and talk. He didn’t go into much detail.”

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