Page 109 of Billion Dollar Revenge

I rise to my feet in a rush. “I’ve gotta go to my office. Let me know if you hear from him.”

Dashing out of the room, I head to the office to meet the police.

Bobby broke Shyla’s trust, and I know exactly how that feels. I can help take him down, and I have just the plan. Ready or not, here I come.

Chapter 30

Chelsea

I count to onehundred before I roll out my purple yoga mat, which I found in my closet. Under the dark sky and light wind, I decide to step out onto the grass with bare feet. Breathing in the fresh crisp air feels different in my lungs.

I’m glad I decided to keep stuff here for when I visit. I swallow the lump that’s lodged in my throat at how that has slipped over the years.

Not anymore…

I do some single-leg stretches on each side before sitting up to drink water. It’s still dark out. I couldn’t sleep, so once it hit 5 a.m. on my alarm clock?and after half an hour of tossing and turning?I got dressed. Then I quietly trekked through the house on my tiptoes and snuck out without waking anyone up.

After running through my stretches and breath work, I roll up my mat and sit in a chair on the porch.

Watching the sunrise out here is exactly what I needed. The cool breeze and the birds chirping are the perfect morning tune. There’s nothing better than this.

The door creaks open, and I turn my head.

It’s my dad. I smile at him, but when he steps out with two cups, my lips stretch even more.

“Thanks,” I whisper, taking the cup from him.

Immediately sipping the coffee, I settle back into the chair.

Dad sits in his spot next to me, and we look out onto the yard. Neither of us speaks; we’re just content to sit here and drink our morning brew. Even the coffee tastes different. Or is it because it was made with love from my dad?

I cradle my half-empty mug in my hands and look over to the flowerbeds, noticing how he has recently been in there. It reminds me of growing up and helping him. Anna and I had our own gardening gloves and tools to help him. And I’m sure we ended up making more mess than if he had done it by himself, but he never said anything.

“Are you ready for the opening?” he asks, breaking my trip down memory lane.

“Definitely. It’s been a long time coming.” I tilt my head on the back of the chair to face him, meeting his proud gaze.

“You’ve taken your time doing it. I think it’ll be the best in New York.”

I smile at his enthusiasm. “That’s a big call.”

One of his eyebrows edges up in a challenge. “I’m a big guy.”

I shake my head and roll my eyes. Dad jokes are the worst, but God, it’s what I need right now. Sitting here with my dad and reflecting causes a splinter of pain to pierce my heart. I’ve missed them all so much.

“Do you need me to come back with you?”

I know he’s referring to New York.

Shifting my eyes back to him, I ask, “You’ll be there this week for the grand opening, right?”

He touches my shoulder and squeezes it. His eyes are bright. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I let out the breath of air I was holding, suddenly thinking he wasn’t able to come. “Did Mom tell you I broke up with Bobby?”

“She did,” he replies simply.

I sigh loudly, feeling as if the burden has been lifted. I’m not mad at Mom. I wouldn’t have wanted to tell my dad. I feel like it’s the same as admitting I failed. I don’t want to let either of my parents down but, specifically, my dad. He’s so supportive and encouraging. He would’ve hated to know how little Bobby supported me. And how he belittled my passion for Pilates.

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