Page 171 of Sinclair Duet

I shook my head. “It’s not. Darius has felt incompetent ever since I was born. He knew he could never be me. I had both parents loving one another. You know why I walked out of here that night a year ago?”

“Your note said things moved too fast.”

“My parents,” I said. “I knew that I’d never have what they have, with you.”

Amber looked down. “You don’t have to be cruel.”

“I’m being honest. And as for siblings, Dani and I know what that means. We have one another’s back. We support our parents the best we can. It’s always been a competition with Darius.” I scanned Amber up and down. “I’m sure he thought he hit fucking pay dirt when he landed you. Did you tell him you left me?”

“When Darius tried to run Sinclair, he had too much pressure. He’s ready now.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. “Why the fuck are you fighting for him?”

“I like him. I’m worried about him. If he could co-CEO with you, he would feel redeemed.”

“It’s not my fucking problem if he feels redeemed.”

The phone in my suit coat pocket buzzed. I pulled it from inside the coat and brought the screen to life. I had two unread messages. Both made me smile. The first was from Ella.

“Oh,control freak, my love. I’m in my office at Corporate. Tell me you’re okay. I don’t want to have to bail you out of jail.”

The second was from Timothy.

“It iswith great sadness that Mrs. Gloria Wilmott announces her resignation from the Sinclair Pharmaceutical executive board. She reflects fondly on her time with this company and is satisfied that through her tenure, Sinclair Pharmaceuticals has become a thriving competitor.”

I reactedto Ella’s message with a heart emoji and to Timothy’s with a thumbs up.

“Damien?” Amber asked.

“It’s over. Your mother has stepped down. Dani will call a meeting of the board and the no-confidence vote will be stricken from the minutes. If Darius brings it up again, I’ll press charges against both of you for breaking, entering, and planting recording devices without our consent. Timothy has begun the filing for the annulment. You won’t fight it.”

“If we stay married, you could get out of the probationary period.”

I shook my head. “I’m not worried. I have five more months. Even if Ella and I wed before that, I’m not bringing up the addendum. I’m fucking good at what I do. I’ll have the permanent title.”

She tilted her head. “I really wanted us to work. I thought you’d come back.”

“Ella is my someone. I’ve known that since the first time I saw her. I was wrong to encourage a relationship between the two of us, you and me. For that, Amber, I’m sorry. I should have been going after her.”

“I never thought you’d show up with her. I couldn’t believe it when you came to the hospital. I thought you two were over.”

I never gave up.

It was one fateful flight that brought us back together.

“Not over,” I said. “Just rekindling what we had and making it stronger.”

Gabriella

One month later

“Why is Mr. Welsh pulling out of the coalition?” I asked Julia through the phone.

“It isn’t because of the campaign. I believe he is still working with Beta Kappa Phi.”

“He is,” I said, “with another manager.” Thank goodness. “Did he give you a reason?”

“He told me something in confidence.”

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