Page 221 of Pucking Sweet

“Yeah.” I nod, a deep sense of calm filling me. “You’re right, that is enough. I’ve had enough. You and me? We’re done.”

“Poppy—”

Turning on my heel, I go in search of Violet and Anderson.

80

Iwalk out into the manicured hotel garden, complete with climbing trellises and boxwoods. Several yards away, a fountain bubbles in the middle of a square glowing with twinkling lights. Violet and Anderson stand just beyond the fountain, arguing.

“No—I can’t do this anymore,” Violet cries.

“We had an agreement. Goddamn it, I am not going to be made a fool of again.”

“I’ll pay you back,” she says with tears in her eyes.

“You already signed the contract. We’re going through with this, Vi.”

My heart is racing as I cross the square over to them. Every cruel and cutting word I was about to lob at my sister fizzles like fire on water as I take in the desperate look on her face.

“Please, Anderson. Just let this be enough—”

“No,” he says, grabbing her arm.

“Hey, is everything okay?” I call out, my heels clicking on the large paver stones.

Anderson drops his hand away from Violet, and she covers the spot with her hand. Tears well in her eyes. “Poppy, I’m so sorry—”

“Don’t.” I raise a hand to her. “Not now.” I turn back to Anderson. “I asked if everything is okay.”

“No, everything’s not okay,” he snaps. “Your stupid fucking sister thinks she can make a fool of me the same way you did, and I’m reminding her that’s not how this is gonna go.”

Violet flinches, stepping away from him.

“What’s the agreement between you?” I ask, looking to Violet.

“We have a prenup—”

“Shut up,” he growls at her. “She doesn’t get to know ourbusiness.”

“Violet?” I press, only looking at her.

“He was paying me,” she explains as he curses under his breath. “A third when we got engaged, a third when we marry, and the last third when Daddy helps him win his first election.”

I fold my arms over my bump. “So, he’s buying you then? You’re selling yourself as his political trophy wife? Seriously, Vi?”

“Come on, Pop. Don’t make it sound so tawdry,” says Anderson. “Prenups are a standard practice. I had one with you too, if you remember.”

“I remember everything,” I reply flatly. I look to my sister. “How much?”

“Ten million.”

My heart stops. “But you’ll get that from Nana.”

She just shakes her head, lip trembling. “Not anymore. Mom took it from me six months ago…right before I agreed to marry Anderson.”

I drop my hands to my sides, all the pieces falling together in my mind. “Why?”

Tears fill her eyes. “Because I’m a disappointment to the family, and Nana wouldn’t want me to have the money. Mom said I don’t deserve it, since all I do is party and waste my life away. She said she was giving it toyou.”