“Seriously, what do we do?” Jenner asked.
We didn’t have time to discuss it as the devil herself walked in. “I love what you did with the place,” Jocelyn said as she came to a stop in the middle of the room.
“What are you doing here?” Jenner bit the words out through clenched teeth.
“I’m here to apologize.”
We all gasped. I glanced at Jenner to see if he believed her, but based on the way he was glaring at his sister, I suspected he didn’t.
“I don’t believe you,” I said.
Jocelyn sighed and came over to the desk. “I understand. I’ve done a lot of soul searching the past few months, and I’ve got to say, I’m bored.”
Jenner pointed at his sister. “There it is. You’re bored and want to play games with our lives. That’s not happening. Leave, Joce.”
“I’ve paid for the week, so I’m staying.” Her features softened, and she seemed sad. “I know you may not believe me, but I really am sorry for the way I treated all of you. Except for you.” She pointed at Lydia. “I gave you a necklace; I wasniceto you.”
Lydia nodded. “Thanks for the necklace, by the way. I love it.”
She really did. Lydia told me how she wore it to bed just because she always wanted it touching her skin.
“But over the past few months, I have realized I treated everyone like crap, especially you, Jenner.”
“Okay.” Jenner took a step back.
The entire room felt his unease, but that didn’t stop Jocelyn.
“That’s why I want to give this back to you.” She pulled something out of her blue blazer pocket and held it out for Jenner. He hesitantly held out his hand and winced when she placed it on his palm.
“Mom’s ring. But I thought I had that...” Jenner patted himself down with his free hand.
“Nope, I took it. Then I disappeared and bought a place nearby, in that new development called Billionaire Row. It’s big—our entire apartment growing up could fit in my bathroom.” She snorted. “Anyway, when I got what I had been working for almost my whole life, I suddenly realized I had no one to share it with... no family, no friends. I had alienated everyone, which was fine with me when I had a purpose. But now what? I have all the money but nothing to work toward.”
I frowned. Despite all the terrible things she had done, I felt bad for Jenner’s sister. “If you’re looking for something to do, you can help with running the estate,” I offered.
Jenner groaned and turned to me. “No, she cannot help here. You realize this is just another one of her schemes?”
Maybe it was, but she was family.
“The past is the past, Jenner. Remember?”
He rubbed his face. “Throw that at me, why don’t you? I’m seriously regretting our pact right now.”
I smiled and wrapped my arm around his waist. “She hasn’t even met her niece yet.”
“Oh, there’s no way I’m letting Jocelyn near Jenni,” Jenner said right as Jocelyn said, “I’d love to meet little Jenni.”
I gazed up into my love’s eyes. He tried to dodge me, but eventually he said, “Fine. But you’re working outside with Lydia, not inside. And you’re never to be left alone with Jenni.”
Jocelyn smiled, and for the first time, it looked sweet, not evil.
Then something happened that shocked both of us. Jocelyn yelped and embraced us. “Thank you so much. I promise, you won’t regret this. I’ll leave you alone and get settled into my room.”
Jenner groaned as he watched her leave for her room. “I had forgotten she was a guest.”
“Maybe she’ll take that time to make it up to us. I think she really wants to be accepted.”
“You say that, Lola, but you have only known her a few months. Remember, I’ve known her for twenty-seven years.”