Page 22 of The Holiday Grump
“For a tax deduction.”
I forced a laugh. “You’re not that cynical.”
“Did he pay his taxes? Did he donate half of his annual gains?”
I glared at him. “Why would he?”
“You said he was generous.”
My cheeks burned as my mind darted around, searching for the truth.
“Generosity is relative,” he continued. “If you share one percent of your wealth and dodge taxes, how generous are you really?”
I thought of the prenup my parents had assured me was “standard.” I’d agreed. Why wouldn’t I? I had nothing to my name.
“He was patient with me,” I said. “I embarrassed him and his family constantly, and he still gave me a chance.”
“He told you that you embarrassed him?”
“He didn’t have to. It was pretty obvious. But he guided me. He was helping me navigate that world.”
“You mean he made you feel like there was something wrong with you?”
“Thereissomething wrong with me,” I blurted. “Nobody is perfect.”
“Including him. Did you ever guide him when he did something wrong? Did he apologize?”
I froze. Why couldn’t I think of a single time he had?
“Why would he? He didn’t do anything wrong,” I insisted.
Fredrik huffed a laugh. “So he was perfect? The one who got away?”
“No. I left him.”
“Why?”
I opened and closed my mouth twice before words emerged. “Because I wasn’t right for him.”
“Noelle.” His voice was soft. “If he made you feel like something was wrong with you, maybehewasn’t right for you.”
“Semantics.” I huffed, stomping off. “I have to get back to work.”
He walked along, maintaining a healthy distance while not saying a word. When I made it to my store, I stomped inside and collapsed on the floor to catch my breath.
Was Fredrik right? Was Spencer not generous? Was he not the good guy I’d told myself he was?
For months, I’d been telling a different story. That I’d fallen in love, but then realized we weren’t compatible. He was the perfect catch, but I was too free-spirited and impulsive. Safe in my ship bubble, I’d been happy with that story. But was it even remotely true?
Spencer had been known for his generous gestures, but I’d always known my place. It was all his. The house. The cars. The family crest.
I’d told myself it was fine because I wasn’t a gold digger. But if Spencer wasn’t generous, what was left on my list? I couldn’t name a single thing I truly liked about him, and it bothered me so much I found it hard to breathe. Even his willingness to guide me now felt tainted. Had he been guiding me, or… controlling me? He seemed happiest when I groveled and apologized. When he could demonstrate his grace and patience.
I glanced over my shoulder. The snow was falling again in big, floaty flakes. Fredrik was gone. He’d walked away, after casually calling me out on my dirty secret—that I’d fallen in love with the attention from a rich guy and agreed to marry him. I’d loved the dinners and the vacations and lapped it up every time he’d told me I was funny or cute. As his fiancée, I’d felt important.
I’d wanted that lifestyle for my hardworking parents and my sister. I’d wanted it so badly that I’d ignored every red flag and convinced myself I was in love with him.
I removed my jacket, grabbed the nearest open box, and began stacking packets of fairy lights on an empty shelf. I’dprobably have to rearrange them later, but I needed something to do.
