I feel winded. Swallowing thickly, I find my voice. “Why isn’t he here?”
He pauses. “Ah, he chose not to be.”
“He needs to be here.” My chest squeezes. I want toseehim. I can explain. I can tell him how I was afraid, that I didn’t wantthisto happen.
“You must leave,” I say.
“Don’t be foolish, MissLane,” Mr.Darden murmurs. “Let’s hear him out.”
“No. Tell Tuck I’m not interested in his money. You have your NDA. He can go fuck himself.”
I walk to the foyer and open the door and cling to it, hands white with the effort.
He’s not here.
He doesn’t want rights.
He’ll never see her.
That,thatis nearly unbearable.
The walks we took.
The harmony.
He doesn’t want it.
Or me.
Or her.
A tear falls.
And another.
And another.
Rejection claws at me.
Cruel.
Harsh.
Distrustful.
If he’s my fate, then I don’t want him.
Shapiro heaves out an exhale as he stands and straightens his jacket. “MissLane, I have two daughters. It’s expensive. Perhaps, now, because of your feelings, you’re angry and not thinking clearly.”
“Don’t patronize me.”
“You’ll need financial security. It’s important to him that you’re happy with the settlement. Today he’s offering you five million a year. In court, it might be different. Take this, and become a wealthy woman.”
My jaw grinds. “Tell Tuck that I don’t want one cent from him. Goodbye.”
He leaves, and I slam the door. My hands fist and I yell, “Motherfucker!”
“Francesca,” Mr.Darden says, then takes my shoulder. “My dear ...”