ision pressed against his chest, but he forced himself to push it aside. He had spent years justifying his choices-this w

ang of regret stabbed at him. He could picture Aria sitting inside, a cup of tea in hand, staring at the d

didn't t

im, and waved him through. The driveway leading to the mansion was lined with towering oak trees, their bare branc

d a massive blackwood desk, his fingers steepled together. His piercing gray eyes

ce smooth but commanding. "I

discomfort Hugh always managed to st

chess master planning his next move. "Your company is stru

ned. "You have

nject enough funds into your business to keep it afloat.

When it came to the Sterlings, nothing wa

his gaze unwavering.

th caught. "Wh

but there was an underlying tension to it. "Doctors say his chances of recovery are slim, but

reeled. "You'

ing you a way to secure your company and your daug

expected business terms, maybe a contract to sign-but

s. "She's young. She

amusement. "Dreams don't pay debts, Gregory. And from

eful eyes whenever she tried to reach out to him, the way she had stopped asking him for ti

m, the life he had spent decades building. If he refused Hugh's offer

think," he said,

folder across the desk. "Take a look. Inside are the details-financial su

mbled slightly as he flipped through the pages, each on

Make no mistake, Gregory. This isn't ju

t like a noose tighte

er tea. The brunch invitation had been a lie-there were no friend

It was nothing new. She had spent years trying to convince herself that his

e she had da

f people enjoying their Sunday mornings. Couples, families, frie

e from her father-maybe an apology, maybe an excuse. But when she saw h

t have expec

The cold air hit her face as she stepped outside, bu

o be distant, then fin

spite everything, despite the walls he had built between them, a par

e day, he wou

egory sat frozen in his chair,

e door. "I'll expect your decision soon. But be caref

, the door clickin

t realized he was holding. His ha

he goin

ne, his thumb hoveri

er. Tell her som

, he set th

ed the c

r absence, walks home, oblivious to the