Page 129 of The Surrender

Very dumb, apparently. Because I have no idea who this twisted, bitter arsehole is. “Is that why you’re so desperate to get me back? Because you want the business?”

He huffs, waving a hand in the vicinity of my stomach. “Well, I don’t want you now, do I? You’ve fucked it all up, Amelia. My future, your future, your family’s business’s future.”

I should slap him. But I don’t get a chance. Clark appears from nowhere, bunching Nick’s shirt in his fists and thrusting him down the pathway. “You’re out, Nick. Done for. You’ll never be a part of this family or our business, so back the fuck off and stay away from my sister.”

Nick staggers a few feet away, startled. “Your dad always wanted me to help you run Lazenby Finance, Clark. Perhaps because he saw more potential in me.”

“You fucker.”

“I would have been an asset! You would have been lucky to have me.” He gives me a filthy look, one that could turn me to dust if I allowed it.

“Get the fuck out of here!” Clark bellows before collecting me and taking me inside.

“Dad wanted Nick to help you run the business?” I ask, an old, familiar pain back. Nick but not me?

“I never told you because I didn’t want you to hate on Dad any more than you already did.” He slams the front door, slightly out of breath. “I would have fought him, trust me.”

I don’t believe this. Was I going to have any say in how I lived my life and who with?

“She’ll be a single mother!” Dad yells.

“Oh, shut up,” my brother shouts, all out of patience, pacing to the kitchen, me following. “Amelia’s right. You’re a bloody dinosaur.”

“Now, now, Clark,” Grandpa says. “Let’s not get excited.”

“Tellhimthat!”

I wander into the kitchen, and everyone shuts up, looking at me. “I’m okay, by the way,” I say, the words strained and broken. I’m far from okay. “In case any of you were wondering.” I collect my bag and throw it over my shoulder. “I’ll be going now so you can all carry on arguing about my life.”

“Amelia, for Christ’s sake, pregnant!” Dad’s hands go into his hair. “Who will support you?”

“I’ll support myself,” I snap. “And were you ever going to tell me that you were planning on giving Nick what should have been mine?”

Dad looks stung. “It was the natural progression.”

“It was bullshit, Dad!”

My anger refuses to allow the tears to break free as I storm out of my parents’ house. “Amelia, wait,” Dad yells, coming after me. “Amelia, I’m sorry.”

Even that one rare word from my father doesn’t stop me, and I keep hold of my emotions until I reach the end of the road.

Then I cry like a baby all the way to Abbie’s, distraught. The blows just keep on coming, and I don’t know how much more I can take.

Charley’s there when I fall through the door in tears, and they both dedicate the rest of the evening to feeding me, watering me, showering me, and tucking me up in bed. Charley spoons me, and Abbie spoons Charley, all of us cuddled up on the bed as I sob myself to sleep and my best friends comfort me.

My world falling apart around me.

Chapter 28

My head isn’t in the game today. I’ve had three Zoom calls with clients, and I can hardly recall what was said, what I need to action, what I advised. No flowers have arrived today. Just a few more texts.

I’m sorry.

I know I don’t deserve your grace.

I’m begging you, Amelia. I need to see you.

Let me explain.