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