Page 182 of Mexico Can Choke On It
Amanda plants her heels and smooths her dress, the posture of someone who knows exactly what’s coming. My father inflates with pride, relishing every word.
The ring box emerges in my hand, and Petra’s composure shatters. Fresh tears cascade down her face like a dam bursting. She spins toward the exit.
Suddenly, the pianist begins with a gentle chord, the opening note of the song I’d asked Nigel to request. The tender melody of “Alone” by Heart floats through the air like a ghost from our past, carrying the weight of that first kiss and seven years of what-ifs.
Petra stops dead in her tracks. She turns around slowly, and our eyes meet.
“I’ve made mistakes and followed orders. I let fear dictate my decisions. But there’s one thing I have never regretted: letting her in.”
Unsettled murmurs ripple through the crowd as heads swivel between Petra and me.
“She doesn’t fit into my world. She spray-paints it and flips it on its head. She challenges it—challengesme—not to live based on others’ approval, but to rebel against the norm, to do the right thing. She makes me feel alive.”
I take a step toward her, then another, each step irreversible.
“So here I stand, asking the most extraordinary woman I’ve ever known to do the most rebellious thing she’s ever done.”
I flip open the ring box, revealing the ruby ring.
“Marry me, Petra. Right here. Right now.”
She stares back with tear-streaked cheeks, her lips parted in silent shock. Before she gets out a single syllable, my father’s voice detonates.
“Heartvest is finished!” Veins bulge in his neck as his control snaps. “You want to throw your life away, boy? I’ll make sure you burn for it.”
I face him, squaring my shoulders to my full height. “I refuse to inherit an empire where I have to be a carbon copy of you.”
Reginald scoffs. “As if you were evercloseto the image of the son I wanted.”
“That’s no secret.” I take a step toward him, my fear dissolving into dangerous courage. “This is my life. My future. I’m done living for your approval. Your legacy dies with you.”
His face turns purple, like he’s being choked. “You go through with this idiotic choice, and you’re no longer my son.”
“Works for me. I’d rather build something meaningful at Heartvest than spend another second inflating your offshore accounts.”
“You better savor this little act of defiance. My lawyers are gonna sue you and your shit company into oblivion. You’ll be bankrupt and forgotten.”
“You better think twice about lawsuits, old man.” I smile smugly. “I’ve had a front-row seat to every dirty deal you’ve ever made. Lay a finger on my company, and I will make certain you share a cell with Whitfield.”
Something new flickers behind his eyes—something that might actually be terror. “You don’t have the spine.”
“Try me.” I lean in until we’re nose to nose. “I can be exactly the monster you tried to mold me into. I learned from the best. This isyourone warning.”
He shoves me back with all his might. “You’d destroy everything our family built for some tattooed slut hunting for a payday.”
CRUNCH!
The crack of bone and fury splits the air. Gavin’s fist connects with Reginald’s jaw in a perfect right cross that sends the old bastard sprawling across the aisle like discarded trash.
“Nobody disrespects my sister,” Gavin says, flexing his knuckles. “She’s got more honor in her pinky finger than you’ve had in seventy years of breathing.”
He rolls his shoulders, loosening up like he’s considering round two. “Here’s some free advice—start praying she doesn’t pass the bar exam. Because when she does, she’ll strip you of every stolen dollar you’ve ever hoarded. Girl doesn’t know the meaning of quit.”
“Mr. Featherwick,” I say, smoothing down my jacket. “Could you please arrange for my father’s immediate departure? He’s overstayed his welcome.”
Reginald staggers upright, blood painting his bottom lip. “Don’t touch me, or I’ll arrange for your mutt of a boss to fire your ass before morning.”
Nigel’s face transforms into genuine amusement. “Best of luck with that endeavor, sir.” He signals the security team, and two guards in black suits surround Reginald.
