Page 97 of Love and Lies

Trish gave a thin smile. “I’ll withdraw from the project and make sure the Weston Family Group gets the contract. If, in return, you oblige me by amusing yourself with someone other than my son.”

It was then that I realized she was deadly serious. Trish Coldwell was going to let an enormous, prestigious business deal slip through her fingers—just to split Jess and me up? Why?

“Why are you doing this?” I asked quietly. Did she hate my sister so much that she believed Jess and I would really end up the same way? Or was this about reputation, just like it was for my parents?

“I have my reasons. And in case you’re wondering whether I want to hurt Jess, I can assure you the opposite is the case. I want to protect him.”

“From me?” My words were barely audible. I wasn’t a danger to Jess, for God’s sake. We’d fallen in love, but that didn’t mean he was going to get hurt.

“No. From the threat to him if he gets involved with you.”

“What threat?” It made me so mad that she seemed to believe I wasn’t good for her son. She’d already been wrong about Valerie on that front, but she didn’t see it that way, obviously. “That he might finally feel a little at home in a city he hates? That he might even be happy?”

Trish Coldwell let out that derisive snort of hers. “Your arrogance really does run in the family. You’ve known Jessiah, what—all of three minutes? What makes you think you get to decide whether or not he’s happy with you?”

Because he told me, I thought—but I didn’t say it out loud. This woman was so full of hatred for my family and me, and I certainly wasn’t going to be able to convince her otherwise.

“I think I’m better placed than you,” I said instead. “I mean, you’ve never had a good relationship with him.”

“Maybe so. But I would still do absolutely anything to protect him. Perhaps one day, when you have children of your own, you’ll understand.” She took the folder from the seat and set it down on her lap. “You’re an intelligent young woman, Helena. Much smarter than your sister and, above all, much more loyal. I’m going to give you the chance, here and now, to salvage everything your family has been building for decades. All you have to do is end a relationship that you don’t even know is going to survive into next week.” She gave me a penetrating stare. “It’s your decision.”

I couldn’t deny it—what she’d said about my parents’ company frightened me. As did the fact that Trish Coldwell was clearly not above taking extreme measures to break Jess and me up. But I wasn’t going to take her deal. And not just because I felt something like hope for the future again, for the first time since Valerie died. Not just because I was desperately in love with Jess. But also because I didn’t trust this woman one inch. She was manipulative; she was evil—and she had my sister’s reputation on her conscience. No matter what she said, I would never believe a single word.

“Right, it’s my decision,” I replied in a firm voice, aware that the car had stopped near our apartment building. Perfect timing. “And I’m saying no. My parents will find some other project to get them back in the black, I’m sure.” And if things were really that bad, our net worth was still high enough that we’d be okay somehow. My family was from a long line of forbears who were very good with money. They’d pull through.

Trish bowed her head slightly. “If that’s what you think.” Her lips twisted into a smirk that sent a shiver down my spine. She took a business card from her bag. “Call me if you change your mind. The offer stands until this evening.”

I wanted to refuse the card at first, but in the end I took it, and got out of the car without a word.

My hands were trembling and there was a knot in my stomach as I walked the block to the apartment building. My conversation with Trish had drained all my strength. What I wanted to do most was call Jess, but I knew he’d flip out the moment he heard what his mother had tried to do. I wanted to be with him in person when I told him.

I threw the waffles in the trash can next to the entrance—I’d been holding them the whole time—and walked through the door the attendant was kindly holding open for me. The elevator took forever to arrive, but when it finally did, it was mercifully empty. I could really do without having to make small talk with the neighbors right now.

I dug around for my keys on the way up but needn’t have bothered—just as I stepped out of the elevator, someone came out of the apartment: Harold de Rosso, our family’s longtime financial adviser.

“Helena,” he said when he saw me, giving me a smile that did nothing to diminish the concern on his face. “Now that’s quite an outfit for broad daylight.”

“Yeah… it’s a long story. What’s going on, Mr. de Rosso? Is there something wrong?” There was no way he was here on a Sunday just because the coffee was so good.

His smile faded. “I’m sure your mother will be able to explain.”

Just then, Lincoln appeared in the doorway. “Len, finally! What took you so long? Get in here right now.”

I didn’t answer his question but nodded goodbye to Mr. de Rosso before hurrying inside. “Where’s the fire?”

My mother stood in the living room along with Dr. Gregory, our family doctor for the last few years. They were talking quietly but stopped abruptly when I came in.

“Thank you, Iris,” said Mom. “Also for your discretion in the matter. I’ll call you.”

The doctor nodded to me as she passed me on her way out. The door snapped shut, and I was left alone with Lincoln and my mother.

“Where’s Dad?” I asked in alarm. “Is he upstairs? Is something wrong with him?” Why was our doctor here, and why was Mom talking about discretion?

My mother and brother exchanged a glance. When I saw that, my last shred of patience disappeared. They had been hiding all kinds of problems from me for months, maybe even years. What else didn’t I know about?

“For Christ’s sake, will you tell me what’s going on!” I yelled at them.

“Your father is… he’s not here. He’s at Mount Sinai. He’s out of danger, but they have to keep him for observation for a few days.”