Page 72 of Keeping Kyler
“Until Courtney discovered the truth,” I say.
“It’s definitely time to bring in the hired guns,” Kent says, and everyone groans. He holds up his hands. “What?”
Keaton bumps his shoulder. “You can’t suggest killing people every time they cross us. You’re playing way too muchAssassin’sCreed.”
Kent shrugs, but I know it’s all for show. He likes to be the center of attention is all.
“What have you decided to do about it?” I ask.
Alex folds her hands on the table. “Last night, I sold the business to our chief competitor.” She lets that shock settle before continuing. “They are going to absorb the brand into their overall brand so the impact on share price should only be temporary. I had to take a hit on the sale, but it was still a good deal. All the employees will get a payout and eighty percent of them will keep their jobs.”
“What about me and Selena?” Keanu asks.
“You have new modeling contracts. Don’t worry, son, I made sure you were both looked after.”
Keanu visibly relaxes. “Thanks, Mom. What about you? What are you going to do now?”
“I’m stepping down as CEO this morning with full approval of the board. The new owners have asked me to work in a consultancy capacity during the transition, and after that I’m going to take some time off to be at home with my children. Maybe in future, when you have all left the nest, I might start up something, but I’ve no immediate plans. We are financially secure, and there is nothing to stop me from prioritizing my family.” She leans forward in her seat, and her whole face radiates happiness. “But it’s more than that. I want to be here for all of you. No more drinking. No more business trips. I’ll just be Mom.” She beams at her boys. “And I couldn’t be any happier about it.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Faye
“What are you doing about Courtney?” Ky asks after the initial shock of Alex’s confession has sunk in.
“She is being served with papers this morning. We are suing her for personal damages on account of her blackmail,” James explains. “We’ve had an official PI trailing her for weeks, and Keven has gathered some useful intel which has given us enough evidence to take this legal.”
“Won’t you get in trouble for forging documents?” I ask.
“It’s true there are some legal issues to work through, yes, but Dan assures us he can make this go away with payment of a fine,” Alex confirms. “Courtney is also being fired this morning in front of the board. Blackmailing the CEO and threatening to bring the company into disrepute gives us enough grounds to terminate her employment contract without compensation,” Alex smiles like all her Christmases have come at once. “I can’t wait to see that smug look wiped off her face.”
Kal high-fives her. “You’re bad ass, Mom.”
“For the record,” James speaks up, squirming a little in his chair. “I made a mistake when I slept with Courtney, and I knew it pretty much immediately, but she’s been blackmailing me into staying with her. That’s all over now. She is out of our lives.”
Alex’s lips narrow. “She is ruined, both financially and professionally, and I think it’s safe to say that’s the last we’ll be seeing of her.”
“Does that mean the divorce is off?” Keaton asks, his voice tinged with hope.
Alex looks down at the table. James looks sad. “I’m afraid not, son. We have more problems than just Courtney.”
“We have hurt each other a lot by keeping so many secrets.” Alex levels grave eyes around the table. “I hurt your father by lying about Kyler’s biological father, and that doesn’t seem to be something we can put behind us. Anger and mistrust are not the foundation of a solid relationship, and the cracks have been forming for years.”
A somber mood settles over the table.
“It doesn’t mean we won’t be a family,” James is quick to reassure them. “We are still committed to all of you.”
“Just not to one another,” Keaton says, and it’s clear he’s fighting tears.
“We are committed as parents and we‘ll still do things together, but we won’t be married. We are both sorry it has come to this, but we believe that splitting up is genuinely in the best interests of this family. We are trying to right the wrongs of the past, but we don’t have all the answers either,” James says. “We hope you can bear with us and understand we are trying to do the best for all of you. You are all that matters and we’re going to make sure we show you that from now on.”
Later that afternoon, I nab Keven for a chat. “What have you discovered?” I ask him as we hide out in James’s office. The others are playing Xbox in the games room.
“You were right. Peyton’s mother, Wendy,isAddison’s birth mother, but get this, her dad is still her dad.”
I ponder the implications. “So, her dad had an affair with his wife’s sister, and thentheykept the baby?” I surmise, an incredulous note creeping into my tone when really there’s no need. Given all the revelations these past few months, there shouldn’t be anything that surprises me anymore.
“That’s the way it looks.”
