Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 67973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, my voice cracking with hurt as I gripped his hand tighter. “I would have helped, Parker. We all would have. You didn’t have to go through this alone.”
His eyes were red and tormented, making me flinch at the depth of his pain. “I couldn’t,” he whispered raggedly. “I couldn’t admit it to anyone. Not even myself at first. The shame and guilt, it was too much. I’m supposed to be the strong one, you know? And Becca…she has no idea. She doesn’t know I’ve ruined everything. Our life, our future.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said firmly, pulling him into a hug, holding him tight as he clung back. “Addiction is a disease, Parker, not a weakness. It messes with your brain, no matter how smart or strong you are. You need help, real help, and I’m going to make sure you get it. Rehab, therapy, whatever it takes. You’re not alone. We’ll figure this out together, and you’re going to be okay.”
A broken sound ripped from him as he tightened his arms around me, squeezing so hard it was tough to breathe, but I didn’t pull away. I’d do anything for him.
“I love you, Parker,” I said, keeping my voice steady and strong, even as my world felt like it was crumbling right alongside his. “We’re family. We’ll get through this.”
It was a promise I intended to keep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Liam
I hadn’t been spending much time at my office at the investment firm lately, but that’s where I headed this morning. Part of me wanted to go straight to GalvaTech, to see Morgan, to try and fix what I’d broken last night. But a bigger part of me worried she wouldn’t want to see me at all.
I had no idea where we stood after our conversation. And I was pretty sure it couldn’t have gone worse.
My own bruised feelings had mostly faded overnight, replaced by a different kind of ache. The kind that came from knowing the woman I loved was in pain, and I was part of the reason why.
She’d lashed out at me, defensive and angry. Maybe I shouldn’t have kept the investigation from her, but I knew the real problem wasn’t my secrecy. It was Parker. If I’d accused anyone else of embezzlement, she would have been upset but ultimately understood my position.
But her stepbrother? That was different. That realization cut deep.
She might not have wanted to believe it, but Morgan knew me well enough to know I wouldn’t lie about something like this. Which meant she was probably more torn up about it than she’d let on last night. And soon she’d know for certain I was telling the truth.
I had a meeting scheduled with Samuel that afternoon to tell him everything and show him the reports and proof. I was dreading that conversation almost as much as I’d dreaded telling Morgan.
This whole situation was a nightmare. I’d never gotten so personally invested in a company before. Some people might call that a mistake, but I couldn’t bring myself to regret it. I cared about these people. About the company. About making this work.
That’s why I hated being the one to bring Parker’s crimes to light. But what choice did I have? Let him keep stealing? Watch GalvaTech slowly bleed out from the inside?
What I needed to figure out before the meeting was what came next. The contract Simon and I signed could be broken under certain specific conditions. Embezzlement definitely qualified. We could pull our investment and walk away without any repercussions.
I knew that’s what Simon wanted. He’d said as much in our brief conversation this morning. But he was leaving the final decision to me since I was the one who’d been working closely with GalvaTech these past months.
Breaking the contract was the smart business move. We’d already invested significant money and now, even more would be needed to achieve our goals if I kept working with the company. But if we pulled out now, GalvaTech would go bankrupt. Most of the money had already been spent or embezzled, so Samuel would probably have to sell the company to return our investment.
A ruthless businessman wouldn’t hesitate. But that wasn’t me. I started this angel investment firm with Simon because I wanted to help other businesses succeed. Even without the emotional attachment I felt toward the whole Starling family, I wouldn’t be quick to walk away and leave a company in ruins over the actions of one employee.
Factor in the way the collapse of the company would devastate Morgan, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it.
I was sitting at my desk, staring into space as I contemplated my options with GalvaTech when my office door opened. I glanced up, expecting to see Simon or my assistant, but my heart skipped a beat when I met Morgan’s captivating green eyes. They were misty, like she was fighting tears. Her face was pale, her expression distraught.