Page 54 of Suddenly Desired

His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the heavy silence. His first instinct was to ignore it, but old habits die hard. There was still a part of him that expected a last-minute reprieve, a message from someone — anyone — telling him that this was all some kind of mistake, that they could fix it.

He pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

Devlin:Just seen the news. That’s brutal, mate. What are you going to do?

Christian:Yeah. We’re here for you, man. Just say the word and we’ll do anything you need us to.

Devlin:Anything legal!

Ruairidh:It’s your company. Doesn’t matter who signs the papers now — everyone knows you built it.

Devlin:And let’s be real, does anyone actually believe that crap?

Blake:Yeah, hordes of people. Wouldn’t change anything though. It’s done.

Nate:Maybe that’s not a bad thing.

Christian:Bold take, considering he just lost everything.

Nate:DID he, though?

Devlin:All right, just say it already.

Nate:Ellie?

Christian:Knew it.

Ruairidh:There it is.

Blake:Not the time, Nate.

Nate:Maybe it is.

Blake:. . .

Christian:He’s ignoring it. That means we’re on to something.

Devlin:Blake?

Nate:What do you want to do?

Blake:I don’t know.

Nate:Yeah, you do.

Blake:I’m signing off.

Devlin:FIELDING.

“Maurice is with the lawyers now.” As Agnes interrupted him, he pocketed his phone. “They’re drawing up the paperwork. It will be ready by tonight, tomorrow at the latest. You should really seek your own legal counsel, Blake.”

“I’m fine.” He turned away from the window, blinking the sunshine from his eyes. “Do what you have to.”

Agnes sighed, pulled a book off the shelf and flicked through it. Blake did a double take when he saw what it was.

It was his copy ofThe Swiss Family Robinson, the one that he had read when he was a child. What were the chances that out of all the books here, she would pick that one? He thought of Ellie and how it was one of her favourite books, and had influenced her designs for LifeWrite. Seeing it made him smile, and Agnes frowned at him.

“You seem almost happy,” the old woman said. “Why? Has it not sunk in yet? It can’t be easy all of this. Losing everything.”