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“Graham Sullivan isn’t a new friend, and it seems he’s taken a lot of liberty with a woman engaged to someone else.”

Cadence blew out an exasperated breath. “I’m not engaged to anyone. Paul broke it off, and I returned the ring. I’m free to make my own choices.”

“Not so free.” Paul shuddered dramatically. “Your father has made some stipulations.”

The father who had disappeared out of the conference room the instant the pressure increased? How dare he suggest any terms?

“It seems your father held back some key information in the merger deals. So, yes, we’re getting married.”

“We are so not getting married.”

“Honey, you need to think this through,” Mom implored. “Not only did your father hold back, but so did Donald Bradley.”

“This is my problem how?”

Dad’s voice came from the doorway. “It becomes your problem when your inheritance gets cut off.”

* * *

A pin could have dropped and sounded like an explosion in the aftermath of Daniel Foster’s threat.

Graham had plummeted from the highest high in his life to the lowest low in the space of mere seconds, even lower than when he’d heard of Cadence and Paul’s engagement.

He’d been a fool to let a week go by without staking his claim, but he’d been certain she’d regretted it. He’d been a fool to get his hopes up in the first place. He’d known she was on the rebound, no matter what she said. He should have protected her heart, should have encouraged her to forgive Paul.

Should he really?

Not by the harsh gleam in his cousin’s eye. Paul needed Cadence to fulfill the business arrangement. Cadence needed Paul to keep her inheritance, because Daniel Foster didn’t look like he was bluffing.

But… she didn’t need anything from her parents if she married Graham. He could wipe aside her problems with little effort. He took a step backward as the thought slammed into his chest.

No, he couldn’t add to the insanity in front of him by suggesting that. They’d acknowledged basic feelings last week. Perhaps acknowledged some passion in the kiss they’d shared moments ago. Neither was enough to base a marriage on.

Neither were threats nor the punitive expression Paul wore, but Graham didn’t have the right to interfere. This was something Cadence needed to decide. All he could do was pray.

“You promised, honey,” her mother begged. “We’ll forgive you. Please come home, and let’s give this another try.”

Cadence shook her head and backed up. “No. I’m not bound by last year’s poor decision. I’m not returning to Chicago, and I’m not marrying Paul. Cut me off if you must.”

Graham’s heart swelled at her bravery in calling their bluff. Thank You, Lord. Help her stick to it.

Paul smirked and beckoned Daniel Foster closer, gesturing him to speak as though introducing a grand master to the stage.

“It’s not as simple as all that, Cadence,” Daniel began. “This debacle can ruin us. If we cut you off, it’s only because we’ll be penniless ourselves.”

Say what? The situation couldn’t be that dire, could it? A glance at Paul’s sneering face, and Graham wasn’t so sure.

Amelia Foster choked back sobs and turned away, covering her face.

Cadence crossed to her mother and reached for her, but Amelia flinched away. Cadence turned slowly back to the room, her arms tight around her waist.

The five of them in the room seemed at an impasse, each waiting for someone else to break the tension.

Paul eyed Graham and thumbed toward the exit. The message was clear. Graham was being dismissed as inconsequential.

Cadence had come to him only minutes ago. Had kissed him fervently. Did that count for anything? Should he stand by her now, or should he let her make her own decisions?

It seemed she had enough people telling her what to do, though, granted, the others all wanted the same thing: for her to capitulate. So, was Graham supposed to pull her the other direction?