Page 74 of A Billionaire for Christmas
‘She is not good enough for this family. She can’t ski. She can’t make a decent espresso martini. She has no clue who the Wertheimers or the Meyers even are, for God’s sake.’ It sounded like Valerie was becoming hysterical, clutching at straws. ‘And she won’t have her own Centurion membership or offshore savings account orkidnapping insurance!’
‘You’re being utterly ridiculous,’ Armand said with exasperation. ‘Since when did you become such a snob?’
‘If you won’t send her away, then I will.’ Valerie was breathing very heavily. ‘In fact, I have an even better idea. I’ll invite Clarice for Christmas.’
Molly had no idea who Clarice was but at the sound of Armand almost choking on his wine, she was deeply concerned for him.
‘You can’t invite Levi’s ex-fiancée to stay with us. She’ll think he wants to marry her after all.’
‘Exactly.’
Molly shot Levi a startled look. Nowhelooked like he was having a stroke. They heard a chair scrape against the floor and what they presumed was a cloth napkin being thrown down onto the table as it rattled some cutlery.
‘This is our last Christmas together as a family, Val. For pity’s sake, don’t spoil it.’ Armand’s voice cracked as they heard him get up to leave.
‘Sit back down!’ barked Valerie. ‘You don’t get to walk away from me. Not this time. Tell me who she is.’
‘Who are you talking about?’ shouted Armand angrily.
‘The tramp you’re seeing!’ Valerie shrieked. ‘Who is it this time?’
22
I ATTRACT LOVE AND POSITIVE ENERGY INTO MY LIFE
‘There’s a lot to unpack there,’ whispered Freda. ‘Does that mean Papa is divorcing Mother? And that’s why he thinks this is our last Christmas together?’
‘There’s no way he’s having an affair. Why does she have to self-sabotage all the time?’ Lucca snapped, shaking his head at Freda. ‘At least we know where you get it from.’
‘Never mind that. What the hell is she playing at inviting Clarice? I can’t fucking stand her. If she comes here, I’m leaving,’ Freda said to no one in particular.
‘And I’ll be coming with you. I hate that woman’s guts after what she did.’ Lucca gave Levi a hard look.
Levi frowned. ‘She won’t be coming anywhere near us. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll go and put a stop to it.’
Lucca put his hand out to stop him walking away. ‘Then they’ll know we’ve been eavesdropping,’ he complained.
‘Who cares? I’ll go if he doesn’t,’ said Freda.
Molly was taken aback at how angry Lucca sounded. She was desperate to ask what had happened with Clarice but as the two siblings began bickering against the backdrop of Valerie and Armand yelling at each other in the next room, Levi tugged on Molly’s arm.
He pulled her gently away to one side. ‘What did my mother mean? Did your business partner die?’ Levi asked softly. ‘Recently?’
Molly had to look away.
‘I’d never have threatened to take the restaurant from you if I knew,’ he said, taking her arms and gently twisting her to look at him. ‘Why didn’t you say?’
Because I was desperate.
‘Because that’s not everything. And every time I think about it, I start crying and never stop.’
It was a highly inappropriate moment to be dredging up such trauma. Lucca and Freda were now arguing loudly about their parents’ marriage. Armand was retaliating as Valerie accused him of all sorts.
‘The hot tub, the wedding,’ Levi said as though pieces of a puzzle were falling into place. ‘So the bucket list was something you were doing together?’
‘No, not together. I’m way too socially awkward to do even half of what was on there. But Ava was almost finished when she suddenly took an unexpected turn for the worse. We had to move her out of our home into a hospice.’ Molly heard her voice shaking. ‘It wasn’t until after she died that I found out she’d left me everything in her will. She wanted me to have her half of the apartment.’ Molly sniffed. ‘Anyway, it turns out that the way the will was written…’
‘It included the restaurant as well.’
