Page 32 of Save Us
“I’ve done it,” he croaks in the end. He coughs. “I’ve left Beaufort’s.”
It takes a while for what he’s saying to sink in. “What?” I ask, almost inaudibly.
“I saw my father trying to bribe Sutton into leaving Lydia.” He shakes his head, runs a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what happened, but something inside me flipped. I realized how wrong this all is. And that I just can’t carry on like that.”
My hands lift almost by themselves, and I lay them on his hips.
“I told him that I don’t want anything more to do with Beaufort’s and that I’m going to sell my shares.”
I hold my breath.
Only a few weeks ago, James admitted to me that he was scared of disappointing his mum, of destroying her life’s work if he didn’t succeed in following in her footsteps and taking charge of Beaufort’s the way she wanted it. Breaking away from his dad was his dream but never a realistic option. However much I wanted it for him, I just can’t believe that he’s done that today—despite all the consequences that this decision is going to have.
“How did he react?” I whisper.
“He told me not to bother coming home.”
I feel a painful stab in my ribs, especially as I see how hard James is fighting to hold it together. All the color has drained from his face, and when I take his hands in mine, they’re ice-cold.
“I have no family left, Ruby.” His voice breaks.
I fling my arms around him.
His shoulders shake as he hugs me back. He’s literally clinging to me, and I find myself remembering the day after his mum died when I went round to his house and held him in my arms as he cried. This moment feels the same.
I don’t know how long we stand there. The only sound in my bedroom is our breathing, which starts off fast and ragged, and gradually calms.
After a while, James leans back a little to look at me. His cheeks are flushed, and his eyes are red.
“I…just wanted to see you,” he says hoarsely. “I’m sorry for dumping all this on you.”
At once, I shake my head. “I’m glad you came. I want to be there for you.”
“When I walked out of Beaufort’s”—James exhales audibly—“I felt so free. Like now I could do anything I wanted.”
I look questioningly at him.
“But I’m slowly starting to grasp what I just did.” He gulps hard. “And what it’s going to mean for the rest of my life.”
I reach for James’s hand and pull him over to the bed. Once we’ve sat down, I turn to face him, fingers firmly interlinked with his. “Whatever happens, we’ll get through it together.”
James looks at our hands. His hair flops over his brow, and I long to hug him again.
“Do you need anything?” I ask instead. “Shall we go and get your stuff from home?”
“No,” James says, clearing his throat. “I took the most important things right away. And I came in my car. Plus, I have an account my dad can’t access—my salary from the company wentin there, and everything I’ve saved in the last few years.” He hesitates. “I’ve booked myself a hotel room for the next few weeks. Not far from here.”
I feel my eyes fill with tears. “You don’t have to go to a hotel,” I say, my voice muffled. “I’m sure it’ll be OK if you stay here for a bit.”
“I can’t impose on you like that, Ruby. You guys have enough on your plate.”
I shake my head. “I’m not letting you live in a hotel room after everything that’s happened.”
James sighs, but before he can say anything, I take his cheeks in my hands. “Stay with us. With me.”
James shuts his eyes and leans forward until his forehead rests against mine. I run my fingers gently over his skin.
“I love you, Ruby.”
