Page 276 of The Bonus

I clench my hands at my sides.

“That you are with her out of pity and to be closer to your children.”

My chest rises and falls as I struggle for control.

“She’s poisonous, Gabriel.”

“You want to talk about poisonous?” I whisper. “Let’s talk about Dad, shall we?”

Her eyes hold mine.

“What kind of woman lets a man beg her for a divorce for fifteen years?”

She smirks, proud of her actions. “The kind that retains control.”

“Control over her reputation, control over her social status…control over the money… Tell the truth, Mother, you won’t divorce Dad because it will mean you lost…to her.”

Her face falls.

“We both know why you hate Grace…she reminds you of someone, doesn’t she?”

“Stop it,” she snaps. “Get out.”

“I’m not finished. I recently came across some very interesting information,” I snarl. “I went to our lawyer to add my children to our family trust.”

Her eyes widen.

“You can imagine my disbelief when I found out it was already under review, that somebody had recently tried to amend it.”

“I had to do it,” she splutters.

Fire flickers in my eyes, I feel it deep in my soul. “You cut your own daughter from our family trust?”

She tilts her chin to the sky in defiance. “I warned her.”

“To what…to toe the line, to do things your way. To not marry Helena?”

“Helena is no good for Carina.”

“Because she’s a woman?” I yell.

“Because she’s American. I have told you all again and again, I will not tolerate this behavior,” she yells at the top of her voice.

“You do not get to dictate who we love. You racist bigot!” I bellow. “Carina is the backbone of Ferrara Media; she has worked her guts out for years and you had the audacity to cut her from her inheritance without telling any of us?”

“I stand by it.”

“What have you ever done for Ferrara Media other than to drive our father away?” I scream.

“He left of his own free will,” she spits more of her venom. “If he loved any of you, he would have stayed.”

“Let me make something crystal clear, Mother. I have blocked the amendment; I’ve told Dad what you tried to do and he’s fucking furious. I will spend every last fucking penny I have to protect Carina and fight this…and you…” I whisper, “…will get nothing.”

She stares at me, guilt written all over her face.

I had hoped I was wrong; I’d hoped it was an error.

The truth hurts.

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