Page 56 of Bride on the Dotted Line

My stomach squirms. I’ve never had an outburst like that with my father before—I wish I could suck the words back in. I busy myself arranging the cooked lobster tails on a plate, and when I’m done, hestillhasn’t said anything.

“Dad? Are you still …”

“Is it your wife making you like this?”

I straighten. “What?”

“Your wife,” he repeats, low and dangerous. “Ever since your marriage, Nicholas, you have been distracted at work. Obstinate with me. Inflexible. You’ve always been difficult, Son, but you’ve never pushed back like this. It has me questioning whether you’re fit to run this company after all.”

My mouth goes dry. “I’m notinflexible, I just don’t want to?—”

“Don’t forget,” Victor says, the ice in his voice chilling me even in the heat of the grill. “Your contract with Ms. Hayes is signed under the protection of Harwood Restaurant Group. If I see any benefit to ending your agreement, I will not hesitate.”

I stare at the glassy surface of the villa’s infinity pool, trying to find a response.

“Do you understand, Son?”

“I …” It’s one thing to try and bully me into hiring Roderick and Lionel to the board, but to treat Sienna’s half of the agreement as if it’s nothing is another. He’s threatening to leave her and her family hanging without a second thought.

I glance over my shoulder, into the villa. She’s still on the couch, her feet tapping the air. She’s smiling, laughing at something her mother said. Happy. I can’t put that in jeopardy.

“I understand, Dad.” I hate how small my voice sounds. “I’ll think about it some more, alright? We’ll talk about it when I get back.”

He huffs. “Good.” Then he hangs up.

Behind me, the ocean washes in and out, foaming and sparkling. I stand in place, staring at my phone. Did my father really just threaten to end Sienna and I’s marriage over Roderick and Lionel?

Why does he care so much?

The headline Alvin sent clears up one thing, at least: Lionel was networking at the charity gala because he knew he’d be leaving his job soon. It still doesn’t explain how he got an invite to the gala, though. And why he and Rod left their current positions together. Their company was solid, a veritable cash cow.

I carry the grilled lobster inside, a bitter taste in my mouth. I don’t like this. Victor isn’t telling me something.

But I can’t let it ruin Sienna and I’s last night.

Deal with it later.

Forcing my thoughts from my father, I toss a base of leafy greens into a giant bowl, adding a plate of fresh mango, pineapple, and avocado I’d prepared earlier. By the time I finish chopping macadamia nuts and tossing the salad in a citrus vinaigrette, golden hour light is slipping across the walls.

Sienna and her mom’s conversation has gone quiet in the other room. I arrange two bowls with edible flowers and walk down the hall, vowing to not let Victor get in my head.

That’s when I hear her talking about me.

“He’s been amazing,” Sienna says, voice hushed. I stop in my tracks, just around the corner from where she’s sitting. “I’m—yes. I just have to tell someone. I’m in trouble here, Mom.”

The soles of my feet fuse to the hardwood floor. I shouldn’t be hearing this. It’s a private conversation—but Sienna just said she’s in trouble. She hasn’t mentioned anything about trouble to me. If it’s the PI, I’m going to burn down every tabloid in the city.

If it’s something else, I need to fix it.

I can hear Marcella’s voice responding, but it’s low and not on speakerphone anymore. They’ve switched from video to a regular call.

“No,” Sienna says. “He’s been incredible. That’s the problem.”

My wrists go weak under the weight of the salad bowls. I know I’m eavesdropping, but I still lean back against the wall, gazing out the window, all of my senses trained around the corner. She just saidincredible. About me.

“I know it’s only been a month,” Sienna says. Cushions shift as she reorients herself on the couch. “But he’s … I’ve never met anyone like him before. Yeah, Mom. I never expected him to be so …”

There’s a pause. Neither of them say anything. I blink against the light—the sun is setting outside, casting the hallway in pink and yellow.

---