“I have a right to know what’s going on with my company.”
“It’s my company now, Dad.”
“Maybe so, but I’m the one responsible for its success.”
Adam growled. “I’ve made Harlow Corp. more money in the last five years than any of my predecessors. Give me some fucking credit here.”
“I’ll give credit where credit is due. You got lucky with Warren Media.”
“You’re unbelievable,” he grumbled. “I’m going to spend some time with Gramps.”
My heart lurched at his nearing footsteps, so I picked up my pace. The doors flew open and Adam stepped into the hallway, almost colliding with me.
His mouth parted while I emitted a tiny gasp.
“Excuse me,” I murmured before lowering my gaze and continuing my journey to the mudroom. As employees of Harlow Manor, we were only permitted to use the back entrance unless we were escorted by a member of the household, and I wasn’t about to give Adam a reason to have me fired.
Liam’s driver, Wallace, drove me to the closest beach. It wasn’t far, but it was too far to walk while I was on call. Wallace remained close by if I needed a quick return, but I wasn’t concerned. Liam wasn’t going anywhere—not for a couple of months at least.
The beaches in the Hamptons were nothing like LA’s, but the ocean was enough to clear my head, my heart, and the assortment of crystals I’d brought with me. My precious collection was filled with negative energy from my first week at Harlow Manor, and I desperately needed to clear them in the salt water.
One by one, I dipped them into the freezing water, cleansing, and recharging, and preparing them for the week ahead. With each dunk, I made certain to cover the bracelets my grandmother had made for me before she died. They were beautiful handwoven strings of crystals, all given to me with a purpose—to help me cope with the gift I inherited from my mother. The gift that was her curse.
I didn’t remember too much of my mother, other than the fleeting memories of walking into the bathroom to find her crying in the bathtub. She’d quickly cover her tears with a splash of water and pretend everything was okay. I knew she wasn’t, but I didn’t know how to help her back then.If only.
My father believed she was too sensitive and unstable, and he persuaded her to go to the doctor. She was prescribed anti-depressants in an instant, and seemingly, all our problems went away…until the day they came flooding back. The day she left us.
Without my father’s knowledge, she’d stopped taking her medication. My mother must have felt every emotion she’d muted in those years, and without knowing how to channel her gift, the pain was too much to bear. My father bore that guilt and, in turn, neglected us.
I returned to Harlow Manor an hour later, feeling much lighter. The house was quiet, so I tiptoed up the stairs and into my bedroom, closing the door softly behind me. Placing my bag onto the desk, I picked out my glistening bracelets and slipped them over my wrist before methodically arranging the other crystals around the room.
Amethyst by my bed to help me sleep, citrine in the far-left corner to attract money, and rose quartz by Finn’s picture on my bedside. My love.
As I positioned the lovely pink stone on the nightstand, a light tap on the door had me knocking the crystal to the floor. “Damnit,” I muttered, scooping it into my hand as my heart hammered in my chest. I could already sense Adam’s presence.
I cautiously approached the door and opened it a fraction to find Adam shuffling his feet while his hands rested in the pockets of his jeans.
“Does Liam need me?” I squeezed the crystal tight in an effort to stop my eyes from wandering down the tight sleeves of his navy t-shirt.
“No.” He gazed down the hall. “He’s um…taking another nap.”
“Can I helpyouwith something?” I asked with an edge of impatience. The longer I stood in front of him, the more I wantedmorefrom him.
He shook his head. “No.”
“Then, why are you knocking on my door?”
“I, um…” His jaw pulsed, clearly struggling with his next words. “I wanted to apologize.”
My eyes widened. “Oh.”
“For assuming you were a scam artist.” He rubbed the back of his neck with a wince. “And the other stuff.” He swallowed. “I didn’t know…about your husband.”
“How could you?” I huffed. “You didn’t even know my name until yesterday.”
“You didn’t know mine either.” Adam folded his arms. “So you’re hardly the innocent party here.”
“You saw my ring and slept with me because of it.” I matched his stance. “What does that say about you?”