Page 65 of Stopping Short

“Stop playing stupid. I know everything, I want to hear it from you though. What was Dennis going to give you if you married me?”

“He said he’d give me my dream job and save my parents financially,” he whispers.

“How long? When did he approach you about this?” I squeeze my eyes shut. Somehow, it’s so much more painful knowing everything I was told is confirmed by him.

“Over Christmas break of our freshman year of college.”

“So, it’s all been a lie? Every second we spent together?” My voice raises louder than I expect, but I can’t hold it back. I'm livid.

“Not all of it. When we met, I didn’t know Dennis. I genuinely liked you and wanted to get to know you better. I liked spending time with you.”

“And when did that change?”

“When I went home for Christmas, I found out my parents made some bad investments and we were going to lose everything. I’d have to drop out of college and figure out what I wanted to do with my future. Two days after I found out, Dennis approached me at the country club and made me an offer. He agreed to pay all of my parents’ bills and for my college for as long as we dated. I figured I liked you so it was an easy decision to follow through.” He sighs and shakes his head.

“How did we get from that to you proposing and cheating on me?” I push, needing to hear it all from him.

“It started with trying to convince you to stay in Pittsburgh even during breaks or the summer. I had no clue why he wanted you to stay at first, but figured that was easy enough. I convinced you if you quit your job during the summer, there wouldn’t be a position to come back to in the fall. I said you needed to study for finals and going home would be a distraction. I suggested that taking one or two summer courses would lighten your load during the normal semesters. Eventually, I found out Dennis wanted more and more distance put between you and your family.”

“So, you just did whatever he wanted you to do and didn’t ask any questions?” I arch a brow. I can’t believe he could blindly follow every wish someone else had.

“What was I supposed to do, Harper?” He sighs and tries to lift his hand, but realizes quickly he’s still cuffed to the bed. “He was paying for my college and maintaining my parents’ lifestyle. I didn’t have many choices.”

“We always have choices,” I growl.

“As time went on, I didn’t want to date you anymore.”

I don’t expect his comment to hit me so hard, but it’s another blow to my already battered heart.

“Then why not break up with me for good and end our off and on relationship?” I hate myself for how my voice comes out shaky and heartbroken.

“I tried. I begged Dennis to let me. He kept holding college and my parents over my head. I figured if I could finish college, then my parents could fend for themselves. They wouldn’t be happy, but oh well.”

“What changed?”

“About six months ago, Dennis told me if I married you and moved you to California, he’d give me my dream job in his new company. He’d let my parents be on the board and they’d get a big enough paycheck to live comfortably and I wouldn’t have to worry about them anymore. I knew you wouldn’t marry me, you weren’t in love with me. You were always in love with Jackson,” he whispers.

“What?” My brows furrow as I stare at him.

“I think that’s why I didn’t want to date you. I had this amazing woman as my girlfriend. One everyone said I was lucky to have, yet I knew if you had it your way, you’d be cuddling up with Jackson every night, not me.”

“That’s not-”

“Please don’t insult me.” He rolls his eyes. “The way you look at him like he’s the only other person in the world… The way your face lights up every time you take his call. Man, even the sheer number of phone calls you two have is insane. I’ve never met two people so in love, yet not together.”

“Then why propose? Why willingly plan on marrying someone who doesn’t love you?”

“Money. Dennis didn’t care if I cheated on you, just that I kept you away from your family. Somehow marrying you made me feel like I was sticking it to Jackson too. Even if you didn’t really love me, he couldn’t have you. That’s why I proposed at the party. I knew you wouldn’t say no with that many people there to witness it.”

“But you’ve been tracking me,” I whisper.

“Yes. Dennis was getting antsy the closer and closer we got to graduation. He made me install the camera in your study and put the tracker on your phone. He had access to both. When you went home with Jackson, he demanded I put more cameras throughout your house.”

“And you listened? That’s such an invasion of my privacy!”

“So, only the one in her study was there prior to her coming home?” Mason arches a brow.

Man, I forgot he was even in the room. He’s skilled at fading into the background when he doesn’t want to be seen.