Prince Player(190)

“They were going to marry me off to Milo,” I say softly. “Doesn’t what I want count at all?”

“No,” Peter says firmly. “It doesn’t count for any of us. You know that. And you’re still turning your back on us.”

“I’m not,” I say. “I’m not turning my back at all. Father is forcing me to leave.”

“If you got rid of that… thing, you could stay.”

I stare at him, shocked. How could Peter, my loving brother, say something like that to me?

“It’s my baby,” I say flatly.

“It’s a mistake.” He stares at me again with that blank expression. “Come on. Father’s waiting.”

Peter opens the doors and steps back out into the hall. I watch him for a second then follow, biting back my tears.

I won’t freaking cry. I won’t give them the satisfaction.

But that moment back there, that was the end. He was my last hope. Part of me hoped that Peter was still somehow on my side, despite everything, and that he’d make it all okay. He used to do that all the time when I fought with Michael, back when we were kids.

We’re not kids anymore. And Peter isn’t my brother.

“Go right in,” Peter says as we reach my father’s study. I don’t look at him as he walks past me and disappears back into the apartment.

Gavin takes my hand again. “You okay?” he whispers. “What did he say?”

“Nothing,” I answer. “Let’s get this over with.”

Gavin frowns but doesn’t argue. I open the doors and we step into my father’s office.

Hans Tillman looks up as we enter. He’s sitting behind his desk just like last time. We walk straight in and sit down in the chairs in front of his desk like it’s some business meeting. He arches his fingers in front of him and looks at me.

“I’m glad you came,” he says.

“I had no other choice.”

He smiles a bit. “You always have a choice, Sadie.”

“Well, here I am. Let’s talk.”

“I don’t feel like dragging this out anymore, so I’m going to get right to the point.” Father looks at Gavin and smiles a bit. “You’re hurting right now. I know that. You’re angry with me and my family, and your business isn’t doing so hot. Am I right?”

Gavin hesitates then nods. “You’re right.”

“You probably want to fight this,” father says.

“I do,” Gavin confirms.

“Here’s what I’ll offer. If Sadie accepts a complete and utter separation from the Tillman family, including changing her surname to something else, then I will back off your businesses and leave the two of you alone. Provided you never enter into our lives again.”

Gavin stares at my father then looks at me. “I’d turn him down right now if I were you,” he says. “But it’s your choice.”

I stare at my father, at the lines on his face, at the wrinkles forming. He looks older than he did a month ago, somehow frailer. I don’t know why but I suddenly see him as the man he’s always been, a mean and spiteful man, but not as my father. That façade is gone now, and he’s just Hans Tillman.

That makes what I say next easy.

“Okay.”

Both men look at me. Gavin seems sad, but not surprised, while my father seems genuinely shocked.

“Okay?” he asks. “You agree to all of my terms?”

“Yes,” I say. “I want to leave this family. I don’t want your money. If I fought, it would just be out of spite, but I’m done with that. I don’t want to be like you anymore. So I’ll sign any documents you want and I’ll change my name, as long as you leave us alone just as we’ll leave you alone.”

Hans Tillman stares at me for a second then nods slowly. He doesn’t smile and he doesn’t seem triumphant. In fact, he just seems tired.

“Very well,” he says. “It’ll all be in writing. I’ll have my lawyers send over the paperwork as soon as possible.”

“Good,” I say. “Are we done here?”

He hesitates before nodding. “We’re done here.”

“Have a good life, Hans,” I say, standing. He watches me, but doesn’t answer.

Gavin takes my hand and we leave the office without another word. I manage to make it out into the elevator before I start crying.

“It’s okay,” Gavin whispers. “It’s okay. It’s over now.” He pulls me in close and holds me as we sink back down toward the street.

“I just want you to know, I’m not crying about what happened back there,” I say as we finally reach the lobby. I get myself together as we walk across the marble floor. “I’m really not.”