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“Oh, is this some lack of self-confidence that you suddenly have? Because that’s not you.”

“It’s not,” Abagail agreed, but she also couldn’t deny that was it in a nutshell. “But I can’t give her what she wants and needs.”

“I’ll reiterate again that you don’t know what either one of those things are. My guess is because you have never even broached the topic or gotten close to it.”

“She wants marriage.”

“And you don’t,” Elia surmised. “And what will happen to your fortune and your businesses when you die?”

“Don’t talk like that.” Abagail wrinkled her nose. Her businesses would close down, and Warren and Estelle would get the family money and most of hers, at least after what went to charity. And just that thought, especially now, really churned her stomach.

“What would happen?”

“It’d stay in the family.”

“And do you want that?”

“Not really,” Abagail answered honestly. She hated giving more to people who already had so much and didn’t really need it. While she had family wealth, it wasn’t something that Abagail actually liked to have had. She much preferred to make a living and work hard for what she deserved. It was something that was hers and no one else’s. “I’ll work on that.”

“All right, and Nicola?”

“I’ll find her and talk to her.” Abagail wasn’t happy that she was saying that, but she also knew it was the right thing. Something was unresolved about their relationship, and she needed to resolve it so they could both move on. Even if it was just for her. And finding Nicola to talk to her would certainly do that.

“Good.” Elia chuckled. “Then call me and tell me what happens because I’m dying to know.”

“Are you?”

“Yes, I have my theories, and I want to know if I’m right.”

“What theories?”

“I’ll tell you when you tell me what happens.”

Abagail groaned and rolled her eyes. When Elia had that tone, there was no talking her out of whatever it was. “I’ll talk to you soon, then.”

Hanging up, Abagail stared at her phone. She would try one more time, but she was pretty damn sure that Nicola wasn’t going to answer.

When it dinged over to Nicola’s voicemail, Abagail hung up. She didn’t want to leave yet another message asking for Nicola to call or text her back or asking where she was. She pocketed her phone and wandered around her house, moving from bedroom to library to kitchen and back again.

What the hell was she doing?

If she wanted to talk to Nicola, then she just needed to get over herself and do it. She snagged her phone again and called Warren. She just had to make sure of one thing before she went to find Nicola. Was this revenge for nothing?

“Aunt Abagail?” Warren seemed surprised by her phone call.

“Warren.” Abagail pressed her lips together in a thin line. She was going to have to figure out exactly how to word this. “What was the result of your attempt to get back together with Nicola?”

“N-nothing?” Warren stuttered. “Why?”

“And do you have a job yet?” Abagail asked, quickly changing the subject.

“I have an interview next week.”

“That’s a start.” She clenched her phone tightly. What to say next? “Do you happen to know where Nicola is staying?”

“No.” He sounded even more confused now.

“Where would she go if she didn’t have a place?”