Page 71 of Knot Her Beta

“I’m ready.” My nose stings, and I reach up to pinch the bridge. “I’m so ready.”

“Grady…” Her voice gentles. “You don’t have to tell me what’s going on over there, but whatever it is, it’s okay to want something else.”

The stone railing bites through my coat. I shift to my good leg and flatten my palm on the freezing stone.

“I know.” I close my eyes. The cold has numbed my fingertips where they grip the phone. “If I can get a flight, I’ll be on it today.”

“Okay, that’s good.” Her breath catches. “Send us the flight plan, and someone will be there to pick you up.”

“Will do. See you guys soon.”

When we hang up, I open the app for the airline and spend way too much money on the next available flight before I can second-guess my choice. My hands shake as I finalize the transaction, relief at finally making the decision flooding my system.

I’m no longer confused.

But I’m still afraid.

The fear sits in my throat, trying to choke me. When I leave, I’ll be walking away from a solid, affluent future. I’ll be disappointing the people who have given me everything, even if it came with strings attached. I’ll have to look my father in the eye and tell him the future he built isn’t the one I want.

But fear can be worked through. Confusion is what paralyzes you.

I push off the railing, my knee protesting the movement, and turn back toward the side door.

Before I return to the office, I go upstairs and pack. I don’t have much time, and I won’t be slowed down now that I’ve made my decision. I order a cab, then head back downstairs.

I leave my bag in the foyer before returning to the study.

“Finally.” My dad gestures to my abandoned chair. “Now, if you’ve composed yourself⁠—”

I stay on my feet, just inside the doorway. “I’m not going through with the arrangement with the Bennetts.”

My father’s jaw tightens, the muscle along his cheekbone flexing. “If this is about getting cold feet⁠—”

“It’s not.” I cast Caroline an apologetic look before turning back to my dad. “This just isn’t the life I want. It never has been. I’ve told you as much so many times over the years, but you never listened. This isn’t a phase I’m going to grow out of. This isn’t me messing around before I settle down. I’m a writer and a journalist. It’s my real passion⁠—”

“It’s a hobby,” he snaps, looking at Caroline as if inviting her to share in the absurdity of it. “One you can still indulge in while working a real job.”

I expected the dismissive tone, but it still stings. “It’s not a hobby. It never has been.”

His face turns red. “If you could support yourself with it, you wouldn’t have spent so many years building someone else’s career. You would’ve already been doing it yourself.”

That, too, stings, but I don’t let it break me. “I’m sorry that you feel that way, but I won’t be swayed. I told you the day I arrived that I wasn’t done in Pinecrest. And I don’t plan to be done. That’s where I belong, not here.”

His chair scrapes back, and he rises to his full height. “Do you know what I told people when you left? Do you have any idea the story I had to construct to explain why my son was living in the woods with a pack of strangers, playing at a career after being fired?”

“I didn’t ask you to explain anything⁠—”

“You’re walking away from everything I’ve built for you,” he seethes.

“You built the business for yourself, and you should be proud.” I straighten my shoulders. “But I don’t want your hand-me-downs. I want to build something of my own.”

“If you do this, you will have nothing from this family. Not money, not a name, not a door opened anywhere in this city. You will be a stranger to us.” He moves around the table toward me, stopping just short. “Your mother goes with my decision. She won’t call you. She won’t write. I’ll make sure of it.”

Caroline has gone rigid in her chair. “Mr. Finch...”

I lift a hand to let her know I’m fine. I don’t need her to jump to my defense.

“I’ve spent years living without your money, so losing it won’t affect me. I do hope you’ll change your mind about cutting me out of your life, but that’s up to you to decide.” I give him a sad smile. “Now, I have a flight to catch.”