Page 49 of Point of No Return

“I’m saying that your father doesn’t trust you. And he came to remind me whyI’mhere.”

I stare at her, torn between wanting to bash my father’s head in or throw him over a bridge.If he threatened her…“And why are you here, Charlie?”

She says nothing of the nickname though her green eyes simmer. I know she won’t answer me. She won’t admit the weakness that forced her family into a deal like this in the first place. It’s one she obviously despises- and one that still finds a way to haunt her.

Benenati or not.

“How long has your father been sick?” she asks instead, and a laugh somehow escapes me.

“It’s been years in the making.”

“How long does he have?”

“Months. Maybe.”

“And when he’s gone?”

“When he dies?” I reiterate. She merely nods, not backing down.

“Maybe I’ll finally get a good night’s sleep,” I sigh, not really giving anything away.

She shakes her head, all seriousness replaced by that cool, dry humor. “You could start by sleeping in your own bed.”

If she knows I’ve been sleeping in the guest bed three rooms over, she doesn’t reveal it. But there’s no missing the fact that I haven’t slept in my own bed since the wedding. The servants have probably caught on. “What- you’ll share a bed with me now?” I challenge instead, remembering our wedding night.

She scoffs, crawling across the bed and yanking back the covers. “You mean to tell me that my consent is what’s been keeping you?”

It’s a rhetorical question, and the irony isn’t lost on me. Our entire marriage has been against our will. Consent isn’t a luxury either of us have been afforded… And I know before she even yanks the covers up to her chin not to answer her. I have a feeling we both know why I haven’t been sleeping in here. And it has nothing to do with not wanting to. I’m just surprised she’s not calling me on it.

“Goodnight, Skar.”

Tyson ignores my calls. I rarely call him- and when we do talk, I’m sure to keep it brief. Which is why when the line clicks for the third time today, I smile. He’s avoiding me. Apparently he isn’t understanding.

I’ve been staring at the ceiling since four this morning, and though I’m restless, I hardly move an inch for hours. On the rare occasion I don’t go into the office, Crew is usually the first one to text. This morning, a simple text appears.

7:56 Crew: Out of office?

Truthfully, I don’t know why I haven’t gone into work today. Charlotte will be out with Eva for the afternoon, and there’s a dinner with Teams Consolidated later tonight that has been on the books for months. A meeting Tyson isn’t likely to miss. Even if it means leaving hospice without a servant to accompany him.

8:00 AM Skar: Be back Friday.

8:11 AM Crew: She keeping you busy?

He doesn’t even have to say her name, and I know exactly who he’s talking about. I can practically hear the sound of his laugh through the phone, and before I can send some vulgar message back, I tug on my blazer and blue tie before making my way downstairs for breakfast with Charlie and Aleks.

It’s probably the most cordial meal we’ve had considering no blades were drawn and Charlie and I are both alive to tell the tale. But the woman has such a mouth on her. One snide comment after the other and I’m practically clenching the table just to keep from doing something we’ll both regret. From finally crossing the line we’ve drawn between us.

It’s bad- wrong. There’s no denying that I’m attracted to her.

Who the hell wouldn’t be?

She’s stunning. She knows how to fend for herself. But being attracted to her is one thing. Acting on it is another beast entirely. Attraction doesn’t change the fact that I’m Westlan. She’s Prevyain. Nothing will change what’s happened to Prevya… and nothing will bring my mother back.

But that doesn’t stop the memory of what Charlie said last night from haunting me:‘He knows it’s fake.’

It’s only been a year since my father moved from Viserion to an expensive home outside of Sutton. They assured us news of him staying there would remain quiet, and as of yet, it’s remained that way. I know that the change has been hard on Aleks. It means that our father’s sickness isn’t just a fluke. His days are numbered, and it’s only a matter of time now before he passes.

Tyson’s resignation as CEO at Omenin has yet to be announced… but the power has almost completely been transferred to me. While Viserion and the company may be in my hands, I knew from the beginning that Tyson wouldn’t give up the power easily. He makes a habit of showing up unannounced… He makes his power known in other ways. He’s testing me.

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