Page 32 of Sinful Bride

“What…” She swallows hard and looks at the paperwork again. “What did you do?”

She does not seem as thrilled as I anticipated. “I kept my word. I found you a better job that pays better than them, and treats you far better than they do. I just didn’t mention it would be their jobs.”

“You own the gallery.”

“Actually, I don’t.” I flip the top page over and point to a very particular section of the sales contract. “You do.”

Daphne hiccups and covers her mouth. The hand holding the file trembles.

“The woman I was just speaking with, Aubrey Day, has been managing the premises and overseeing the sales transactions while you and I are away.” I search her face for any sign of elation. Any joy. Anything at all. “But this is yours. Anything you want to do—I might suggest changing the name from Bloom Brothers to something else for starters—that’s yours to decide.”

“What about Keith and Todd?”

I refrain from rolling my eyes. “They’ve made it very clear that they cannot be trusted to manage the gallery in an ethical and dependable manner, so they're out.”

“Out. As in…”

“Seeking alternative employment. Preferably in an alternative hemisphere. All things considered, it’s a mercy I’m letting them live long enough to do that.”

She stares at the folder. Her expression is unreadable, and that’s almost more unsettling than her anger. Or her sadness.

Between the two, I think I’d prefer her anger.

Unfortunately, it seems like I’ve only earned her sadness. She blinks up at me, and two fat tears roll down her cheeks that she wipes away.

I don’t understand. “What’s wrong?”

Daphne furiously shakes her head, jumps to her feet, and leaves the living room without a word. I give Taty a glance to make sure she’s still asleep, then rush after her mother.

I find her in the hallway, still within view of the bassinet but far enough away that we don’t have to whisper as much. She shoves the folder against my chest. “I don’t want it. Take it back.”

“I can’t do that, Daphne. All sales are final.”

“Then let this Aubrey person have it.”

“It’s a gift. For you.”

Again, she shakes her head. She won’t look up at me. “No. I don’t—I can’t be bought.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This. Buying me a company? A whole company? This is…” When she turns her face to try and hide the tears, I can see the sadness etched in her face. She’s nothing close to happy or relieved or grateful.

She’s fucking devastated.

And I’m fucking confused.

“I’m not interested in your money,” she snaps through her tears. “Frankly, I don’t care about anyone’s money. That’s not what I want.”

“So what do you want?”

“You.”

I suck in a breath. My heart slams inside my ribcage, and I feel my tongue thicken against the roof of my mouth. I don’t know why I’m so responsive, other than that it’s been hell in a handbasket just trying to avoid physical temptation.

Now, there’s this. Us. Something deeper.

Daphne sighs and wraps her arms around herself. “I just wanted you. Always did.”

---