26
Nick and I did have some good memories. Before Ella came along, every year on my birthday, he’d take me to the river to set lanterns afloat. When we were kids, I’d make my wishes out loud, and within days, whatever I wanted would somehow arrive from Holt HQ. Later, I stopped saying my wishes aloud, but Nick always managed to find out through mutual friends.
When I arrived at the riverbank, he was already there. One look told me everything–I’d been right. The Nick of the past had been wide–eyed, new to business, untouched by its darker side. This Nick he had the bearing of someone who had tasted both victory and betrayal.
“Mila, it’s been years since we’ve come here,” he said, looking out at the dark water. “Remember when you slipped over there?” He pointed to a step near the water’s edge. “You were so scared you started crying.”
2:31 PM
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“Your memory’s impressive,” I replied with a smile, though I was anything but amused. “I don’t recall that at all.”
He looked at me, quiet but intense. “So, you intended to shut me out right from the start?”
“What else could I do?” I gave him a sidelong look. “Just wait around for you to ruin me again?”
Nick’s expression hardened, his voice growing softer. “Mila, I was wrong.” He paused, then continued. “It was the Carringtons. When I went after them, I found out Ella’s assistant was one of theirs. They swapped out the fake poison with the real thing, pinned it on the Jensen family. I believed you, so I didn’t stop her. But she…
“I don’t care,” I cut in, flatly, I knew all this already. What did it matter? He’d made his choices, and the damage was done.
what if she poisoned herself because she felt ashamed after I advised you to reconsider?” I asked, unflinching. “Nick, deciding her future was always in your hands.”
“When you saw Mr. Holt wouldn’t budge, you hesitated, didn’t you? But then you let that one suggestion be the excuse to burn everything I’d built to the ground!”
“I thought-”
“I’m not listening.”
The autumn wind whistled, cold and biting. Nick’s gaze lingered on me for a long moment, and then he let out a low laugh know just how to fix things for us.
He pulled me forward, leading me to a nearby abandoned yacht, where Ella was being held by two guards, her forehead pressed against a gun. She was crying.
The moment she saw us, Ella burst into pleas. “Nick, I’m so sorry! Please, I know I was wrong!”
Nick only sneered. “Time for you to make amends.” He pulled the trigger.
