"You're better off not ever seeing her again,” Sean stated. “And if you want to take this further, we could even bring a lawsuit against her. What a fucking con artist."
Sean's mouth made the decision for him. John walked over, lifted his arm, and in all his fury punched Sean in his mouth. The minute his fist hit Sean's face, pain shot up John's hand and arm. The violent blow sent Sean slamming into the wall, but he managed to remain on his feet.
John watched, his chest heaving as Sean lifted his head, his lips coated with blood. The sight didn't calm the anger inside of John. What the fuck was wrong with Sean? Yes, the news had shocked John, but Sean's reaction to the information had crossed the line.
"I get that you were worried for me and for the company. That's the only thing that's saving you from a beating. But if you ever speak one word against her again, I will sever all business and familial ties with you,” John growled before walking out of his office.
The pain almost forced her to her knees, and it hurt to breathe, but Ariel managed to run out of John's office as if the devil himself was chasing after her. She'd fallen in love with the one man she had tried so desperately to forget. Her heart seemed to throb in agony, and she couldn't stop the tears falling.
She was still astounded at what had happened, still bewildered at the chances of it being him after all these years.
She somehow managed to climb into her car, turn it on, and drive home. She felt broken, her heart still aching. She swiped at the tears running down her cheeks.
Somehow she knew she'd get through this. She had no choice.
She didn't know how she'd ended up at home, but now that she stood before her condo, there was nothing more she wanted than to just hide and forget all the myriad emotions racing through her. She opened the door, entered, then closed and locked it.
She sent a haphazard text to Isabel, stating she'd be away for a few days, and she'd call her when she returned. She also e-mailed her boss, letting him know she'd be attending to an urgent family matter and wouldn't be in for two days. There was absolutely no way she could face anyone, and she desperately needed to pull herself together.
John seemed to have believed the worst of her, but how could she let him know otherwise when it was his own brother who looked at her with such hatred? She couldn't compete with Sean, nor would she ever want to. A true family's love was unbreakable, and the fierceness in Sean's words only proved how much he loved John.
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Chapter Ten
The incessant pounding on her door drew her awake.
"Ariel, I know you're in there. Let me in."
She hadn't answered any of John's phone calls, and he had called plenty of times. She'd acted like a coward, leaving his office without letting him have his say, but she hadn't been ready to bear the look of disgust he must have felt for her. But she couldn't hide forever. She rose from the sofa and walked to the door.
She could do this. She could face him. She breathed deep and then opened it. In that instant, she lost her breath and her false bravado. He looked as gorgeous as ever, and all she wanted to do was throw herself into his arms.
She stepped to the side, and he came in.
"I've been worried about you."
She shrugged, hoping to hell she looked nonchalant, and knowing she failed. “As you can see, I'm fine."
He walked toward her, stopping when he was inches away. She almost closed her eyes, relishing the heat of his body so close to hers. “Ariel, what Sean discovered surprised me. The look you saw on my face when you entered my office was one of shock. It was in reaction to the news that our past was linked this way. The chances of us ever meeting were slim to none."
She could understand his feeling surprised. She had felt the same way, but she'd thought she'd seen loathing in his eyes. “You mean it wasn't anger and disgust?"
He reached for her hand, and her skin sizzled at his touch. “The anger wasn't directed toward you. It was Sean and his careless words that were so upsetting. Yes, the news he told me froze me to my feet. But even before I knew exactly who you were, I long ago forgave you. You were a teenager who made a mistake. And though I could honestly say my recovery time was difficult, I never once hated you for it. I lived, and holding on to hatred for the person responsible wouldn't have been productive for anyone."
Her eyes watered as his voice soothed her hurt. “How can you be so forgiving? Your brother despises me, and he probably has a right to."
John's gaze narrowed. “Let's switch roles. If it were me who'd accidently hit you back then, would you have carried such hatred with you? Or would you have learned to forgive? Better yet, if you'd felt such a deep connection with me, would anything matter other than us finding out where it could lead? As to Sean, I've dealt with him. He had no right to speak for me or allow his own feelings to become so volatile. He will never speak about you in such a way again."