Page 112 of The Husband Contract

“What exactly did you know about Charlotte? Was there any part of you that questioned who she was? Was there any part of you that?—”

“I didn’t know she wasn’t the real Willow, okay? I don’t even really understand what’s going on. Louisa and Charlotte just told me they were pulling a prank on Charlotte’s cousin because she’s a little bit of a slow—” He pauses. “I actually can’t remember the words they used, but they were just pulling a harmless prank on her. Why does it matter?”

“Sergio, it matters a lot. You don’t understand what you set into motion when you dropped out of the company, when you gave those shares to Charlotte, when you hadthem sell those shares, when you told me her name was Willow.”

“I didn’t tell you to do anything.”

“I was worried about you, Sergio. I was...”

“Whatever you decided to do, Sebastian, was because you wanted to do it—not because of me. So, while I’ve been grateful for your support all these years, don’t be blaming me if you messed shit up.”

“Our company is hanging on tenterhooks right now. We might lose everything.”

“Well, I don’t care about money.”

Of course not. He only cares about sex and drugs, apparently.

“Then do you think you’d be in France right now? Do you think those two women would want you if you didn’t have that money?” He’s quiet, not arguing my words, so I continue. “Exactly. You know you are where you are, and you have this life because of that money. So don’t try and fucking pretend like you would be living the life of privilege that you currently enjoy without it. I’m done with you, Sergio. I’m done picking up after you. You can always count on me if you really need me, but I’m not going to be your surrogate father anymore. I’m not going to be picking up the pieces of every shitty decision you make. It’s time for you to grow up. Do you hear me?”

“Tell me how you really feel,” he deadpans.

“Really? That’s all you have to say?”

“I’m sorry, Sebastian. I know I fucked up. I’m sorry, okay?”

“I don’t know if that’s good enough, but it’ll do. I’ll speak to you later.” I hang up and then take a deep breath. As I look up, I am outside the Whispering Haven Bed and Breakfast. And while I’m excited to walk inside and see Willow, I don’t know what sort of greeting I’m going to get,and I don’t even know what sort of greeting I deserve. My life has been turned upside down in a matter of months, and I don’t know where I’m going to be if I can’t figure out how to make this right. I don’t know what sort of life I’m going to live if I can’t have Willow by my side.

And one of the things Sergio said was correct. This was a disaster of my making. I’d been so cocksure, so hell-bent on revenge, when really, I’m the one responsible for it all.

Chapter Thirty-One

Willow

Sebastian Laurence walks into the bed and breakfast looking like the aftermath of a hurricane—bleak, barren, and badly in need of a shave. His eyes are bloodshot, and he looks like shit. I want to hug him, but I don’t. My heart initially goes out to him, but I allow my barriers to rise. I will not be his comfort. I will not be his caretaker.

“Good morning, Willow.” His lips twist up in hope, and my mind immediately goes to being in bed with him, kissing him, touching him.

“Hello.” I nod dutifully, but I don’t smile. “Welcome back to the Whispering Haven Bed and Breakfast.”

I’m nothing if not polite.

“I guess you’re not the owner here?”

“You guess right.” I laugh bitterly. “I lied, becauseironically, I didn’t want you to think I was a gold digger. Little good that did me.”

“That is ironic.” He takes another step forward. “How are you?” His eyes search mine for answers to questions I don’t want to give him.

“Living my best life,” I say sarcastically, and he just nods in response.

“How has it been in the bed and breakfast?”

“As busy as ever.” I wave my hands around. “Can’t you tell?”

“How many guests do you have right now?”

“Zero.”

“Oh.”