Page 247 of Champagne Nights

“Good. Love you, darling. We’ll see you then.”

I ended the call and continued to stare out the window, thinking about how they’d ruined my life and how I let them. I wouldn't be in this position if I’d only stood up to them. As much as it was their fault, it was also mine. My father gave me the ultimatum, and I took it because I was consumed by taking over his position of power in the company. To be the king like he was. But none of that mattered to me anymore since meeting Ellie. I turned my chair around when I heard a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

“Hey,” Addison spoke as she stepped inside. “I heard you’re going to dinner at the house tonight.”

“Yeah. Mom just called. She said she and Dad had something they wanted to talk to me about. I figured tonight would be as good a night as any to tell them what I think of them. Are you going to be there?”

“Yes and no. Mom told me they needed to speak with you privately and make sure I wasn’t home. In fact, she got me a suite at the Plaza and told me to spend the night there and have a few friends over.”

“Wow. Unbelievable.”

“I overheard them talking late last night as I stood and listened outside their bedroom door.” She grinned. “Did Lillian tell you that Kirsten is also coming to dinner?”

“No,” I scowled.

“Well, she is. They’re going to talk to you about you taking over the company within the next three months when Dad gets the paperwork situated. They have it all planned out. They’re going to make sure you get back with Kirsten, Dad will sign over the company to you, they’ll have their grandchild, and all will be right in the Walker family again.”

“They’re delusional. I am not getting back with Kirsten. There’s only one woman I want in this lifetime: Ellie. They can fuck off.”

“Listen to me, Henry. When you go tonight, and you see our vile parents and Kirsten, you have to act like you’re sorry and that you were wrong, and you want Kirsten and the baby.”

“Are you out of your mind!” I shouted.

“Do you trust me?” she asked with seriousness in her voice.

“What are you up to?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Do you trust me?” she asked again.

“I don’t know. I guess. Addison, what the fuck is going on?”

“You’ll see tonight. I just need you to do what I told you to.”

I sat there shaking my head at her.

“There’s something I’m working on. After you profess your love to Kirsten and act all fake with Mom and Dad, text me.”

“Addison, I can’t.”

She placed both hands on my desk and got in my face.

“DO NOT RUIN THIS CHANCE FOR ME. I promise you’ll thank me.”

I stared into her eyes, and I’d never seen her so serious in my life.

“Fine. I’ll do it. But I swear to God.” I pointed my finger at her.

“It’s not nice to swear to God, big brother.” She grinned as she began to walk away. “Oh. One more thing. After I make my surprise entrance tonight, you can go off on Lillian and Carlyle all you want. Just make sure you do it in front of me,” she spoke as she walked out of my office.

What the hell was going on?

Chapter Twenty-Four

Henry

I stood at the door of my parent’s house with my hand on the handle and took in a long, deep breath. As soon as I stepped inside, my mother walked into the foyer.

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