LAKEYesterday was the best feeling I’ve had in a while. Winston Holdings had finally accepted my resignation. I sold my share, and the company was on the brink of collapse.I felt a huge accomplishment, and I just told my father what a manipulative sociopath he was. It felt so good that I finally got it off my chest.Although my heart was breaking for my wife leaving me without explanation, I felt relieved that somehow everything was becoming clearer. My wife was a victim of blackmail and threats.I answered my phone when it rang. “Yeah?”“Winston?” Hope rose in my chest when I recognized the caller.“Terzo.”“I’m sending you random pictures. You might know the other guys. Don’t worry about the Italian. I took care of him.”“What do you mean?”“Someone blackmailed my sister.”“Fuck you.” I spat out in vain. “You told me you didn’t know where she was.”“Well, I lied. I’m a criminal, remember? I’m a liar.”Fuck. “For just one second, be serious with me, Terzo.”“It’s a good thing that
LAKE“Hey, man.” Rusher was smiling from ear to ear as if he hadn’t been stabbing me in the back and stealing millions of money from the company. How could I detect it if he’d been blackmailing my accountant for years? “It’s Saturday. What’s the emergency?”“Have a seat while we’re waiting for others to arrive.” I was the first to arrive as I read random numbers from the report I received last night. The company’s financial department worked hard day and night to finish what I’d asked them to do. They deserved a raise for coming up with a quick analysis.“Is there a new project that I don’t know about?” No matter how good he was at lying, the truth would always come out when a person was guilty. I could feel the tension in his muscles, and he started fidgeting.I ignored his question and checked my messages and call logs, hoping Maverick would just reach out. I admired her and loved her even more for sacrificing her happiness, even our marriage to protect me and her grandmother.Finch
MAVERICK“Shit. Shit. Shit.” I screamed in silence in the bathroom as I stared at the last set of pregnancy kits, revealing the same result. All five of them seemed to be mocking me with taunting positive signs.“Fuck. Why now? When my life is still a mess.” My heart squeezed hard. There was no question about how I missed my pills. I knew exactly when it happened.I quickly tossed everything into the plastic bags and dropped it into the trash basket. I wasn’t shocked by the result. Since I arrived here, I hadn’t been on a period, but I still prayed I was not pregnant.My situation wasn’t exactly ideal for being pregnant right now, but the stars seemed not to have aligned with my prayers these days.***“The first question everyone wants to know is why you resigned as the Chief Operating Officer at Winston Holdings. Do you know the effect of your resignation and being one of the major shareholders can make this impact on the company’s possible bankruptcy?”“First of all, thank you for
LAKEAll the rage that filled my chest evaporated like molten lava. Even my breathing changed as I finally had a chance to get a face-to-face with my father.My eyes narrowed and steady as I glared down at him. “If you ever threaten me and my wife again, her family, and my mother, I swear I don’t care. Even if I go to jail, I will drag you down with me. This is the last time I ever see your face again, or I file a restraining order against you.”He just lifted his gaze at me in his chair in his massive office. What happened to the manipulative father I knew? Was he succumbing to his downfall?“Wow. Now, this is new.” I snorted. “What happened to the narcissistic father who controlled me all my life?”“I did it for your own good. You wouldn’t be—”“Really? So you admitted your narcissism? Do you think you made me stronger, fiercer, smarter? No. You made me madder. You traumatized my entire existence. You made me your mockery. You are the first person who broke my heart, Dad. Now that I
LAKE“No.” I swallowed down my emotions. Owen and Homer might have sensed something went wrong inside my father’s office.“That’s sad. I missed her, honey. You should go and take her home.”“She chose to stay. Why would I?”“What’s upsetting you, Lake?” she asked and must have sensed the heaviness of anger in my voice.I squeezed my eyes shut when it began to burn and pressed my fingers against my aching temple. “Is Dad sick? Is it true? Aurelia just told me, and I don’t believe a word coming from that woman’s mouth.”When I heard her sigh, she didn’t have to say yes.I blinked off the tears behind my lids. “How long have you known?”She went quiet momentarily before she spoke, “Your father tried to conceal it from anyone until you came back to take over the seat. If Aurelia told you, then this is not good.”“So, it’s been fuck— it’s been months, and he didn’t even tell me. Instead, he chose to hurt my wife. He chose the hardest fucking way to convince me to turn away from my wife. Wh
MAVERICKI rushed outside, surrendering to my humiliation. My chest filled with regrets as I succumbed to my heartbreak. I cried in silence, gripping the wall, holding on to my dear life when I felt like I was about to collapse and I couldn’t breathe.“Mrs. Winston?”I bit my bottom to stifle my cry, but it still slipped out. I punched the elevator button, but it somehow didn’t work until Owen pressed his card.I was so stupid to come back and think it would be the same. He helped me inside the elevator as I hid my face and cried against the wall.“He’s been stressed out. I’m glad you’re back.”I shook my head repeatedly.“Let’s get back inside.”“No. I’m going to Nana.” I wiped my tears with the back of my hand as I tried to stand straight, still holding my suitcase.“Your grandmother has been staying at your home.”“Home?” I met his gaze.“Yes. I will take you there.”“No.”Once we reached the parking area, I walked past him, dragging my suitcase away while he followed me easily.“A
LAKE“Why the fuck did you lie to her, boss?”My eyes narrowed at Homer. “How is it your fucking business?”For a second, he was taken aback. “Yes, it’s none of my business. As far as I know, she saved you from humiliation, from losing your companies and your money, and prevented you from going to jail. She also saved her grandmother’s life. I think she doesn’t deserve what you did tonight. Maybe a little gratitude would be nice to a poor woman, boss.”I inhaled a deep breath as I accepted my defeat. I’d been gripping the glass of whisky. I’d been avoiding alcohol at all costs for months, but I’d been tempted many times. Maybe it was time for me to get back to how it was supposed to be.I raised the glass, and it was snatched from my hand. I watched with open mouth as Homer downed it empty, then set it back in my grip.“Thanks.” He then walked away.“Homer.”“Yeah.” He turned around. “If you wanna fire me, go ahead, but I won’t apologize for what I said. I like your wife. She’s full o
MAVERICK“Nana, I’ll see you soon. I love you.” Damn it. I hung up the call. I missed her appointment. I forgot she had a monthly doctor’s visit for six months.“Where do you think you’re going?”I was picking up some cute dresses when Terzo came to inspect the clothes I would wear for tonight.“Jeez, Terzo. I can’t just sit here and be bored to death.”“You’re going to a club?”I exhaled a breath and sat on his bed. “I need a life. Don’t worry, you can do your little uncle’s duty if I try to drink. I’ll have a club soda. I promise, and I’m a responsible person.” I picked two dresses, white and black.“I went to see Moses Braddson.”“What the hell?” I was quickly on my feet. “Why can’t you just stay dead?”“Why? I don’t want to be dead anymore. I love my life.”I shook my head in annoyance. “You’re stubborn. It’s better that people know you’re dead, Terzo.”“You’re stubborn, too. I wonder where you got that from.”I rolled my eyes.“Why don’t you go back to work and show your stupid,