Page 151 of Perfume Girl

“Our mutual misunderstanding.”

My body went rigid with the gall of this woman. “Penelope, I fully understand what happened. I’m under no illusion. I know my ex-husband sold you my formula and you are hoping to pass it off as yours.”

She raised her hand to stop me from saying another word. “We’ve come up with a compromise. Something you will find more than satisfactory.”

I followed her gaze toward a round table, upon which lay an envelope. “What is that?”

She walked over to it. “It’s more than you would make from selling anything at your store.” She slid out several sheets of paper and a check. “It’s made out to you. One hundred thousand dollars.”

“What’s that for?”

“This will help keep your store open. This is a very generous offer.”

My thoughts raced with the possibilities. Yes, that check would help in the short term but that was not the point. My husband had collaborated against me and no amount of money in the world would put that right.

They were paying for my silence.

She held up a form. “Sign this and the check is yours.”

“A non-disclosure agreement?”

“It’s only fair.”

“Fair?” I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to fathom how she or Astor believed this was okay. “You’re admitting it’s my scent, then?”

She pointed to the check. “This guarantees your compliance.”

“I’m not signing it.”

“The other form states you will agree to stay away from my brother. It’s in lieu of a restraining order. Though if we have to take that route…”

“He doesn’t know I’m here?” I realized. “It was you texting me from his phone.”

“You’re standing on precarious ground, Raquel. I know some very dangerous men who could make your life uncomfortable.”

“When Astor hears about you threatening me—”

“Contact him and the deal is off.”

I forced a smile to let her know I wasn’t the least bit intimidated.

“We were just fine before you came on the scene,” she snapped. “Go back to the hole you climbed out of.”

“Actually, before my ex sold my formula to you I was well on my way to having a great life. You drew me into your world. And you fucked up because you underestimated me. Now you want me to go away.”

“Will you sign it or not?” She raised her chin. “This is non-negotiable and there’s a time-limit.”

My future hung in the balance.

That check would save my business. Hell, it would pay my salary for a full year or more and I could get my life back.

Perfume Girl would live on.

Penelope was right; I could continue to create endless scents and colognes and go on with my life like nothing bad had happened. Perhaps I should put all of this behind me, swallow my pride and accept the fact I’d failed to secure my store and protect my formulas.

Letting go was the healthiest choice…the wisest choice. Goodness knows what the stress had done to my body and heart. As for Astor, he would always believe I had used him to get ahead in my career. That right there hurt more than anything.

Penelope offered me a pen. “You’ll come out ahead by accepting this amount of money.”