Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 88(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
The waiter looks at me, waiting for confirmation.
"Actually," I say, "I'll have the gnocchi with sage butter and a glass of the Barolo."
Brian's smile tightens. "Meredith, sweetheart. You might want to reconsider. Those carbs go straight to your hips."
Heat rises to my cheeks—not from embarrassment, but anger. I open my mouth to respond, but he's already dismissing the waiter and continuing his monologue.
"As I was saying, our merger makes perfect business sense. Percy Media and Ashton Collective? We'll be unstoppable. The power couple. And of course, the board will be much more comfortable with me helping you navigate. Women aren't really built for the cutthroat business world."
My hands clench in my lap. I dig a nail into the back of a finger, loving the distracting pain.
"Of course, you'll need proper training as my wife," he continues, oblivious to my growing rage. "There are certain expectations in our circle, but you already know that. We'll get you a stylist, a nutritionist, personal pilates instructor, basically hire everyone your father should have."
He reaches across the table, reaching for my nonexistent hand. "You'll need to lose a bit of weight. I've already picked out the wedding gown, and it's quite fitted, especially around the waist. And let's be honest, I won't be able to carry you over the threshold at your current size. You understand, of course, don’t you?"
He says this so casually, like it's reasonable. Like he's being helpful.
Something inside me shifts.
All my life, I've been taught to be accommodating because I was an heiress. To shrink myself physically, emotionally, verbally. Never cause a scene. Never pick a fight. Never raise my voice. Lest other people think badly of me. Dad tried to shelter me, but my tutors emphasized that strength in a woman might lead to a scandal, which was something we wanted to avoid, given the nature of our business.
I glance at Cole. His expression is thunderous, eyes locked on Brian like he's calculating exactly how much force it would take to break him. Probably not much.
And suddenly, I wonder … why am I afraid?
What's the worst that could happen if I speak up? That Brian will be offended? That people will stare? If I continue being quiet, sure, I won't make a scene … but at what cost? My peace?
Cole is here. If things go sideways, he'll have my back.
But no, this isn't his battle to fight. I don't need him to protect me from words. I've let people like Brian and Aunt Patricia and Uncle Charles and that idiot Trevor diminish me for too long.
I am not beneath them, and I never will be.
I feel a strange calm settle over me. My hands unclench. My spine straightens. The knot of anxiety in my stomach dissolves, replaced by something hotter, sharper.
Clarity.
Brian is still talking, planning our future together as if it's already decided. "—and the engagement announcement needs to go out by the end of the week. I'm thinking a summer wedding. Give the press time to build excitement—"
"I'm not marrying you," I say.
Brian laughs, a patronizing chuckle that makes my teeth grind. "That's cute. Now, about the venue. We need something big. Probably need helicopters to fly the guests in. I'm thinking—"
I laugh loudly, much louder than necessary.
Heads turn at nearby tables. Brian's smile falters.
"What's so funny?"
I look him dead in the eye. "You. What makes you think I want to marry you?"
"Excuse me?" His perfectly groomed eyebrows pinch together.
"You're not a catch, Brian."
His mouth opens, then closes.
"You believe you're so much hotter than you actually are," I continue, my voice growing stronger. "Conceit and vanity are not attractive traits despite what your other yes-men tell you."
Brian stares at me, shock ripples across his face. He glances around, suddenly aware of the attention we're attracting. His mouth twitches as he tries to tamp down his anger. "Meredith, are you trying to be funny?"
I stand, my chair scrapes against the floor. "Maybe. Not as funny as you. Because the idea of marrying you is the biggest joke I've ever heard."
I grab my purse from the back of my chair. Cole is instantly at my side, a solid presence radiating approval.
But I'm not done. I turn back to Brian, who's frozen in his chair, his face flushing an alarming shade of purple. I smile sweetly at him.
"I don't need to lose weight for you to carry me. You're just weak and pathetic. The only heavy thing you could carry is your ego."
A woman at the next table snorts into her wine glass. A man across the room coughs to hide his laugh.
Brian's mouth opens and closes like a fish yanked from water. No sound comes out.
I turn on my heels and walk out with Cole, head high, heart pounding.
The moment the restaurant doors close behind us, adrenaline surges through me. I feel light-headed, almost giddy. By the time we reach the SUV, my hands are shaking, but it's not from fear.