Page 138 of Billion Dollar Mistake

“Better than I deserve,” I answer honestly.

“You’re paying a price for your mistakes. You’re human. It’s okay to make mistakes, it’s what you do after that’s important.”

I let her words sit with me for a few moments before I pour my heart out to her. The person other than Nova I feel I can be vulnerable with.

“Grams, I can’t lose her.”

She holds my hand and looks me dead in the eye.

I know I’m about to get my ass handed to me by just that one look. “If you’re adamant that she’s the one then you need to show her. So far, you’re doing a good job at pushing her away.”

“I don’t mea—"

She puts up her hand and looks to the side. My mouth closes.

“I’m not done speaking. You need the hard truth. You work too much. You’re thirty-eight. Unmarried and without children. Do you want things to stay this way, or are you ready to get your girl?”

If you had asked me this before I met Nova, I would have said no. But now, I want everything with Nova.

“Yes.”

“Then quit working so much. Focus on what matters to you. There’s no point in having money if you're lonely. It won’t fill the void. This was a wakeup call. Use it wisely. I'd hate to see you let that sweet girl go because you're a damn workaholic.”

“I don’t know how to quit working so much.”

She pats my hand. “I’m not a fool Remy and neither are you. Figure it out. You were always good at challenges and this one is your biggest yet.”

“I love her.”

“I know you do. So prove it to her. She’s got a long recovery ahead of her. And I’d hate to make you feel worse than you do, but you did this to her. You better be there as she heals. She needs you.”

The door swings open again, and I expect my family has come back, but it’s the kitchen bringing in my food. Grams lets go of my hand and takes the seat beside my bed. Having her here makes me feel settled. I eat the sandwich, juice and crackers. It doesn’t fill me up, but it at least gives me something.

My eyes feel heavy, and I’m suddenly tired. Grams stands.

“Don’t keep yourself awake. I’m going to go down and tell them all to leave. You need to rest.”

“Thanks, Grams.”

“Also, can you go back to the nice Remy. I don’t like this grumpy version.”

I chuckle. “Is that so?”

“Yeah, your parents said you’re back to the days before Nova.”

“I’ll try but no guarantees.”

She rests her hand on my cheek. “That’s all we can ask for.”

She turns with her walker and leaves my room. I don’t even remember hearing the door click before I’m fast asleep, yet the same horrors fill my dreams. Nova in the passenger seat covered in blood and unresponsive. I wish it was a dream, but it’s not, it’s my reality.

Chapter 33

Jeremy

I watch the sunrise from my hospital bed. Even though my mom got my phone out, I haven’t been able to bring myself to switch it on.

I still haven’t decided how I’ll handle work. I know the emails and to-do lists will be piling up, yet that still can’t get me to touch it. My brothers are keeping my personal assistant up-to-date, so she can answer people when they call. Leaving me to rest as they say. None of them know that the sound of Nova's screams still haunts me. It was so high-pitched, laced with fear. It’s the last thing I remember.

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