Page 145 of When Hearts Collide

My mind spins. What in the ever-loving bullshit is this?

“What the fuck are you talking about?” My heart leaps to my throat and I pinch my wrist to see if this is some sort of crazy dream. A sharp but fleeting pain spears me.

Still hurts.

“And to think, last year, you changed the name of our chat group to ‘Save Steven from Himself.’ Well, I say it should be ‘Save Ryland from Himself’ this year.” Steven chortles in the background.

Maxwell fills me in on the events from the last few weeks—Millie holding her ground with the dean to protect my reputation, Lana, him, and Elias meeting up with her, Elias’s intervention behind my back with the dean, something I’m immensely grateful for even if I’ll never tell him that or else his ego will grow bigger.

I stare unblinkingly at my brother, who is conveying problems and solutions like he’s reciting the number of digits in pi, completely unruffled and the opposite of the livid guy who gave me a beating that night at the airfield.

“What about this trust issue I heard about?” Adrian asks, his eyes narrowed at me.

I blow out a breath. “Aside from catching up on work here, I’ve also been in contact with our lawyers, and they’re researching solutions to unravel the trust as we speak.”

Staring at him, I murmur, “I messed up. Big time. And I don’t know if Millie will ever forgive me. But I figure I’ll start by looking into the trust because it’s about time I do something for myself and for her, if she’ll ever take me back.”

Adrian’s eyes soften. “And you think you can unravel this shit?”

“They think it’s possible, but it’ll take hours of research and we’ll need to work with Steven and Pietra Capital to move the trust assets around. But they’re optimistic.”

Maxwell leans forward, his voice thickening with emotions. “Don’t you see what I’ve been trying to tell you all along? We’re the Andersons and we look out for each other. You never had to go about it alone. I have faith in you figuring out the trust. And now, with the school situation settled, you can teach and do whatever you wanted to do all along.”

Steven murmurs, “And if you choose to quit Fleur and the company needs a COO, I’m more than happy to step in. I’ve been at Pietra long enough. It’s time for a change in scenery. Plus,” he smirks, the arrogant King of Wall Street in full force, “I’m going to be family soon.”

Maxwell lifts his wrist, the leather bracelet flashing under the daylight shining in through the windows.

“Let all that you do be done in love,” he murmurs, reciting the inscription I’ve long since memorized.

“Maxwell. Steven.” My throat tightens and my vision blurs.

This is what he said all along.

This is also what Millie said long ago as well.

I was too stubborn and set in my ways to see. Until now. And God, I hope it’s not too late.

A shadow appears in front of me, and Maxwell hauls me to my feet. He pulls me in for a hug and slaps his hand on my back.

“You would’ve done the same thing for me,” he whispers.

These are the same words he said when he was lying on the ground bleeding after he threw himself in front of the boar on the fateful day forever emblazoned in my mind.

Blinking rapidly, I clasp my twin tightly in my arms, my heart heavy and full at the same time.

After a few moments, he lets me go, gives me a wink, and saunters back to his seat.

“So, what are you going to do about Millie?” Adrian asks, his countenance much calmer than before. He rakes his hand through his hair, disheveling it, and lets out an exasperated sigh.

“I have one sister, and I’ve failed her too many times already. But I love her so much. She deserves the world.”

He stares at me, his eyes narrowing. “She deserves to have a man willing to risk everything for her. A man who puts her first. Can you be that man?”

I look at him, my chest heavy with regret. “I want to be that man. If she’ll ever forgive me for my stupidity.”

Steven reaches behind him and retrieves a manila folder. “Grace got this from Millie. Millie wanted you to have it. Read the contents. Maybe they’ll help you win her back.”

He stands up and the other two men follow suit. The impromptu intervention is over. Steven opens the door and walks out into the sunlight toward the helicopter sitting a few feet away.

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