Page 332 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 1

"Which was a mistake. They both realize that. And they're working on fixing it."

She made it seem like it was already happening. I wasn't going to let her crawl under my skin. That was nonsense. "He doesn't love her."

"Again, that is none of your business. You'll never be one of us. Even if you have conned our son into living in sin with you for the past two years. Enough is enough."

"I don't want to be one of you." I tried to keep my head up high even though all her words seemed to cut through me like aknife. "I'm glad I never will be." I leaned down and picked up the checks off the floor.

James' mother smiled. "What a relief."

"Because James and I want nothing to do with you." I tore up the checks and let the pieces flutter to the ground. "I was hoping that we could come to an understanding, but it's clear that you're not interested in listening to me. Or your son. So you're officially uninvited to the wedding. Not that you ever accepted the invitation in the first place. And you're uninvited to be a part of the rest of our lives as well. You won't even get to hold your grandchildren. So congratulations to both of you. You've lost your eldest son. I hope you're happy."

James' father cleared his throat. "Miss Taylor, you seem like a smart girl. We hope that you'll make the right decision. Please let yourself out when you've calmed down." He took a step toward the door.

"I'm not done. I came here trying to give you both the benefit of the doubt. But do you have any idea how much you've hurt him? Forcing him to marry Isabella even though he didn't love her? He would have done anything to make you happy. Don't you see that? He's tried so hard to please both of you. But you're impossible. Do you even know what he's been through? He was depressed. And it's your fault. You made him an addict."

"Enough!" yelled his dad. "Our son's shortcomings are no one's fault but his own. He's never known what's best for him. He chose to find solace in vices because he's weak. He's always been weak." His father's words made tears come to my eyes.

"James is the strongest person I know. Strong enough to walk away from his own parents. And thank goodness, because the thought of ever being in the same room as either of you againmakes me feel sick to my stomach. You're both pretentious snobs. And you don't deserve his love."

"Is that quite all?" his father asked. "Are you done insulting us in our own house?"

"If you give me more time, I'm sure I can think of something else to say." I glared back at him. I knew I was being childish. But it was better than punching him in the face, which is what I really wanted to do.

"There is one more check in the check book. We're willing to pay you five million dollars total to walk away from our family. I suggest you take it."

"Or what?"

"You may think that we don't love our son, but we're willing to do anything to protect him."

"He doesn't need your protection. What he needs is your love. What is wrong with you?"

His father frowned. "We need to get back to our guests." He walked out of the room without another word. James' mother stared at me for a second before following her husband out of the office.

I sunk into one of the chairs in front of the desk and put my face in my hands, finally letting my tears free. Why hadn't I just left with James when he told me to? I hadn't believed him. I didn't think there was any way that his parents were as bad as he said. But he was right. They were absolutely horrid. And now James was out somewhere alone. I thought about earlier in the week when his mother called. He had seemed so happy that they were finally willing to meet me. He let himself get his hopes up, just to be crushed by them again. And I had put him in that situation.He was probably furious with me. The thought just made me cry even harder.

"Oh my. I'm guessing your little conversation didn't go so well?"

My whole body felt cold. I quickly wiped my tears away and looked up at Isabella. "Please, Isabella. Not right now."

She walked into the room, closing the door behind her. "I have a few things to say myself."

"Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have already filled me in on their plans to get you two back together. I don't want to hear about it."

"You poor thing. You really had no idea why Jonathan and Susan invited you here?" She looked down at the scattered pieces of the checks on the ground.

If she thought that her being on a first name basis with them bothered me, she was dead wrong. I never wanted to be that close to them. Not now that I knew what they were like.

"I believe James was thrilled to see me. It's been much too long since we were close. And I'm excited to change that."

"Why can't you just leave him alone?"

"I let him have his fling. I gave him the distance he needed. It's time for us to work things out."

"You loathe each other. What on earth are you talking about?"

"Just because he's not addicted to me doesn't mean he doesn't love me. It's a sickness. If you want what's best for him, you'll let him go. I'm the only one who knows what he needs. I can help him."

"He doesn't need your help." I stood up. "And he's not addicted to me. He loves me."