Page 46 of The Rancher's Wedding Deception

"It started a couple of years ago," Rush said wearily. "She lost her first endorsement because she was considered too old,and she couldn't take it."

Hale had a hard time breathing now. A few years ago...could be around the same time Mikey and Heaven were still both with Grace.

"She would have kept it from both of us if she could. But I've always had people keeping tabs on her. That's how I found out. But when I confronted her about it, she begged me not to tell you. She was terrified you'd hate her if you knew she had a drinking problem..."

Just like your parents' killer.

Rush didn't say the words, but he heard it all the same, and the realization opened a floodgate of memories.

He remembered Mikey's decision to retire from dancing because of an "injury"...but not being able to make himself care enough to ask how she was.

Was this his penance, for not giving a shit about others?

"I know it's no excuse," Rush said quietly, "but you know how she is."

Yes, he did know, Hale thought dully,so why the fuck had he believed Mikey without question?

Even as a child, Mikey had always struggled with the compulsion to lie, having seen her own parents build a fortune (and lose it) by scamming people out of their money.

Mikey never knew when to stop lying.

Never knew when to stop hurting others and herself until it was too late.

Mikey would do anything to save her ass.

And that was why—-

"I think I fucked up, Rush," Hale said hoarsely. "Badly. I let Mikey get to me." He felt like the biggest idiot in the world, with how Mikey had easily exploited his guilt over his parents' death and convinced him to turn his back on...

Heaven.

Hale remembered too late that Mikey still had his phone, and...

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Even though he had no idea what Mikey had planned against Heaven, he knew her well enough to know that time was of the essence.

"I need a favor," Hale said urgently. "But Mikey can't know we've talked..."

Full Circle

PLEASE, GOD.

Please tell me.

Please.

Heaven could feel everyone staring at her, but unlike before, what they thought of her no longer mattered.

All I care about is doing what You ask of me.

"I know you're all worried about your boss," she heard Micah coo, "but everything's under control now."

Even when they obviously enjoyed seeing her being shamed—-

So please, God.

"I've come just in time to protect your boss from the gold digger, and needless to say, there will benowedding."