Page 235 of Damaged Mogul
“I’m not in love with him. I hate him.” I go into defense mode.
I hate you, Gage Hollingsworth.
And I hate that woman you declared your love to.
I hate the thought of that woman using Gage’s bicep as a pillow.
I’m envious that she’ll get to wake up to sleepy green eyes blazing with desire.
And it kills me that he’ll fuck her instead of me.
I’m a gullible idiot. I bought his lies about not being with anyone since his mom’s death.
My best friend remains quiet, as if allowing me to process it all.
I let out an audible sigh. “Why are men such pigs?” I brush a hand in front of my face. If I don’t think about him, it won’t hurt as much. “I shouldn’t waste brain cells on Gage, since he’s the least of my problems. Finding a place to live when I get back to New York is far more pressing now that I’ve told my father off. I’m probably going to end up living in a tiny apartment the size of my walk-in closet, or I’ll be forced to share a small and outrageously expensive apartment with God knows how many roommates if I want to stay in Manhattan.”
“Your father isn’t going to kick you out of the brownstone. He’s not that much of a monster.”
“Wanna bet?” I sneer. “He bought me the house, but it won’t be mine untilI celebrate my twenty-fifth birthday. Same for the apartment in Paris. The two properties are his. Not mine. The man doesn’t have a heart. He’d take malicious pleasure in seeing me agree to that stupid arranged-slash-merger-marriage so I can have a roof over my head.”
“Putain.”Nadineshakes her head.
Translation:Fuck.
“This isn’t the 1950s,” I say.
“He should’ve consulted you?—”
“Instead of using me as a commodity to further the family fortune.”
“Pre´cise´ment.”
Translation:Exactly.
“Not to mention, with his wide network of wealthy connections, couldn’t he have found you a guy with balls?”
“Having balls means having guts, using your brain, and being willing to stand up to the great Fisher Edgington. He hates being contradicted or challenged.”
“You’ll have to move to Paris and live with me. I’m notgoing to let you marry Giuseppe-slash-John and I won’t let your father pressure you. This is your life we’re talking about.”
“I know.”
“Your father is trying to scare you. Don’t fall for his manipulative tactics. You’re smart and talented. Wherever you decide to land, you can stand on your own two feet.”
Doubt trickles in. “Can I?”
“Yes, you can.”
“My life has been cushy since I left Alabama.” Other than respect, affection, and love, I’ve never had to want for anything. The irony.
“You can do this, Lily.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “I’d need to enroll in a master’s degree to get a student visa to stay in Paris or anywhere in France. If I go the long stay route, I’d need a work permit, and in order to get one, an employer has to be willing to hire me… with my broken French and all?—”
“Don’t you dare put your father’s filthy words into your mouth.” She points an agitated finger at me.“C’est un con.”She’s never been shy about how little she thinks of my father.
My shoulders slump.
