“Who you don’t even like.”
“I love my father…but our relationship is complicated. You of all people should understand that.”
His eyes narrowed. “You know nothing about my relationship with my father.”
“I know how you feel when you’re around him.”
Adam slammed his laptop closed and stood. “Can you fucking stop with that empath shit?!”
“Believe me, I’m trying!”
“Well, try harder! My parents are flying in next weekend, and I don’t need you fucking around in my head.”
Fear bubbled up inside. “Next weekend?” I thought I had two weeks.
“We’re having a family meeting.”
All the air left my lungs. “You told them about Finn?” I gasped. “Already?”
He stared at me, expressionless. “They deserve to know.”
“You really are ruthless.” My voice was barely a whisper.
“So they say.”
As I blinked back tears, he turned away and sculled the rest of his whiskey.
“Goodnight, Adam.”
He didn’t look back. “Night.”
23
“The family has requested your presence in the drawing room,” Max said shortly after Caroline and William returned from their trip.
My stomach dropped as I glanced back at my half-packed suitcase. “Sure.” It was time.
I followed Max down the grand staircase and stepped forward once he announced me to the room. I lifted my eyes to the entire Harlow family, minus Liam, staring back at me. Adam was the first to look away.
Caroline offered a tight smile. “Cassidy, we’ve spoken to the doctor and it appears your presence has improved Liam’s health and wellbeing immensely. Due to this unexpected prognosis, we’d like to extend your contract to a week-by-week basis after three months. We understand this is quite an ask, but we are willing to pay double for your time.”
My jaw fell open. The wage was already incredible.
“This would require you to be here over the Christmas period,” she added when I couldn’t find my voice. “Will that be a problem?”
My chest constricted. “May I think about it?”
“We’re offering you a lot of money here. Money that will be snapped up by someone else. Let me know your decision by tomorrow afternoon.”
With a nod, I left, focusing extra hard to keep my legs from crumbling under me as I jogged up the stairs. Adam hadn’t told them.
Sinking onto the edge of my bed, I stared at my open suitcase. If I stayed on, we’d have enough money to rent a house with a backyard and be financially stable for the first time in years. I could buy a new car, or put money aside for Finn’s college fund, and maybe stop stressing about our future. Unfortunately, it came at a cost. I’d already endured over two and a half months without my son and was mentally prepared for two more weeks…but Christmas?Finn wouldn’t forgive me.
“You going somewhere?” Adam’s voice broke through my daze.
I followed his gaze from the doorway to the suitcase before me. “I thought I was getting fired.”
He crossed his arms as he leaned on the door jamb. “I wasn’t the one who called the family meeting, Cassidy.”