Page 88 of Sweet Ruin

“Yeah, me too,” Cress agreed.

“Okay, I’ll be back in a minute.”

I put my phone in my pocket but left the rest of my things behind as I departed the library. With so many students studying in the evenings this week, they’d kept the dining hall open late. It was busy when I arrived, and I was surprised how many people were working in there, but given there was a buffet full of study snacks, it was probably the place to be.

I waited in line and got myself a coffee and then picked up some cookies for the girls before I started back to the library. I was passing an empty classroom when I heard a raised voice from within.

“Stop calling me. You need to accept this is happening, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

I recognized Noah’s voice and was surprised by the venom in his tone. He was always so good at keeping his composure, so I knew something serious must be going on if he was this flustered. The door was open a crack, and as I moved closer, I caught sight of him through the gap. He was pushing a hand through his hair, his eyes narrowed in a scowl as he paced the room.

“You’ll do what?” The urgency in his voice was growing, and then it became a low growl that sent a shiver down my spine. “You wouldn’t dare.”

He paused again as he listened to the caller’s response, but then he slammed the phone down on the desk in front of him. He kicked out at the chair next to him, sending it flying onto its side. His face was pale, and he seemed to be shaking with anger. I slowly pushed the door open wider and stepped into the room. Once I was in there and Noah’s wild eyes were staring into mine, I wondered what the hell I was doing. I shouldn’t be coming to console Noah, but it seemed I couldn’t help myself.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “I heard you from out in the hallway.”

Noah gripped a hand to his hair as he released a breath. “Do I look okay?

“No, not really. Who was that on the phone?”

“Who do you think?”

Given his irritation, I thought the answer was pretty clear. There was only one person who could make him feel this way.

“It was your grandfather.”

He nodded and swore under his breath. “I didn’t think he could sink much lower, but he’s really gone and done it now.”

My stomach sank. “What has he done?”

“He’s lost his mind,” Noah said. “He knows there’s nothing he can do to stop the takeover, so he’s trying everything he can to convince me to reconsider.”

“And…”

“And he says if I don’t put a stop to the takeover by Christmas, he’s going to turn my father’s memorial into a parking lot.” Noah squeezed his eyes shut as though he was trying to control his anger.

“No,” I whispered. “He can’t do that.”

“He can, and he will. The land is still in his name. And he’s desperate. I knew he wouldn’t take this lying down, but I didn’t realize just how far he’d go.”

“That’s horrible. I’m so sorry, Noah.”

His eyes were pained as he looked into mine. “I thought taking over his company would be justice for what he’s done and that I’d finally feel some semblance of peace. But he’s always going to be there. He’s never going to let me get over it.”

I edged closer to him and reached out to touch his arm. He looked like he was at breaking point. He was always so in control, but his grandfather’s vile threat seemed to have snapped his restraint. I desperately wanted to wrap my arms around him, but I knew that would overstep the invisible line I’d drawn between us. We might not be together anymore, but I still cared, and I couldn’t just stand by and watch him break down without giving him some form of comfort.

“It’s going to be okay, Noah.”

“I’m not sure it is,” he said. “That’s the thing about my grandfather. He always seems to win, no matter the cost.”

“That’s not true. You beat him once before. You took his company from him. Now you’ve got Matthew’s support, and he won’t let William get away with this latest threat. And you have me in your corner too. We’re not going to let him win.”

His eyes snapped up to mine. “I don’thaveyou though, do I?”

I released a breath and pulled my hand away. “We might not be together, but I’m here for you. Your grandfather’s hurt me and my family as well.”

He nodded, and though I’d done my best to calm him, I couldn’t be sure he felt any better. How could he when his grandfather was planning to destroy his father’s memorial. If anything, my presence had probably only reminded him that he couldn’t have me in the way he wanted.

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