“Can we at least come inside? I’m here because I changed my mind and want to see my daughter.” I held out my hands, but Eric just stepped back, allowing us to come into the house.
When I walked in, I noticed boxes were everywhere. Eric was right; Lola was moving to the estate.
I reached out for Jenni again, but Eric shook his head. “You’ve gotten to spend time with Jenni recently, but I haven’t. This ismytime.” He went over to the couch and sat.
Jenni tried to squirm away, but Eric refused to let go.
“At least let her play with her toys.” I held up a potato-shaped toy with glasses.
“She’s fine on my lap.” He struggled to hold on to her as she tried to flop backward.
The front door flew open, and there stood Lola. My heart quickened as she entered the room. Even in dirt-covered jeans and a utility jacket, she was radiant.
It had only been a few days since I saw her, but I missed her. My heart ached for her.
Hamish was right. What I did was stupid.
“Eric. Give me Jenni.” She walked over and held out her arms.
“Not until you and Jenner make up.” Eric lifted his chin as he tried to hold Jenni back.
Our daughter pushed with all her strength to leap into her mom’s arms. It was the most ridiculous-looking struggle I had ever seen. I’d laugh if I wasn’t so pissed off at Eric.
“You look like crap. What happened?” Lola asked.
Eric groaned and finally released Jenni. Lola scooped her up and came over to stand by me, so close I felt the heat rolling off her body. All I wanted to do was pull her and my daughter into my arms and never let them go.
But I screwed up, big time.
“I haven’t been sleeping because I lost it all.” Eric rubbed his eyes. “And if you must know, Jenner, no, I haven’t taken any drugs, unless you count aspirin for my wicked headache.”
“I know you lost all your money; that’s why I said you could stay here. I paid the rent for the next year for you.”
He shook his head. “What you don’t know is who I lost the money to...”
“I’m assuming to banks... that’s usually who collects debts. Right, Jenner?”
She spoke to me, and it felt like the sun was shining on my face. It was only a simple question, but I’d keep that moment in my heart for as long as I could. Even if I apologized for being a moron right now, I didn’t know if she’d take me back.
It was the not knowing that killed me.
“Usually. Of course, there are also criminal debt collectors.” I had a bad feeling that was what Eric was talking about.
“What? Eric, you didn’t!” Lola finally put Jenni down to play with her toys.
“No. God, why does everyone think the worst of me?” Eric stood and marched over to us.
“Maybe because you lost billions of dollars and haven’t exactly been honest with me for a very long time.” Lola pressed her finger into his chest.
“She’s right,” Hamish chimed in as he got down on the floor to study the potato head toy Jenni had abandoned for a pile of blocks.
“Fine. I’m not very good with money; I get it. But I would never go to the mob. In my defense, I didn’t know who was buying my businesses and loaning me money. I always did it through a business called Revenge Industries. I thought they were legit. Turns out, the one person who ran has become my worst nightmare.”
I rubbed my chin. “I have never heard of Revenge Industries before. Are they new?”
I was a lawyer to CEOs and very wealthy people. If a company with billions of dollars on their books existed, I’d know about them.
Then the last piece of the puzzle that was the nightmare of my sister fell into place...