Page 11 of Conveniently Yours

"How did you get so wise?" I ask her, knowing she's right. This isn't about what happened before, this is about our son and what's best for him and that means him getting to know Axel and for the two of them to have a relationship.

"Did you speak about your brother?" Evelyn asks me, and I shake my head.

I haven't spoken to Noah in five years, and I really don't intend to do so either. My brother hurt me more than I thought possible, but listening to him tell me he wished it was me that had died shattered me.

"Maybe it's time to put the past where it belongs and start anew?"

I sigh. "That's not something I've thought about," I tell her. Whenever I think of Noah, I always think of what he said and how awful he was that day. "I guess I'm scared about letting him in, letting both Noah and Axel in. They hurt me, and I don't, can't let them do the same to Brandon."

"People change, Scarlett," Evelyn whispers. "It's been five years, maybe it's time to let the pain go?"

I raise my head and look up at the sky. "How?" I ask, unsure of how to let it all go.

"You take a deep breath, and then you reach out. Extend the olive branch, if they don't take it, you'll know you tried, and that's the best you can do."

"Axel said he would call every day when I left."

She tuts. "You changed your number as soon as you left, you never gave him the chance."

I hate that she's making sense, her perspective isn't on my side, nor is it on his, but it's one that benefits us both. She's seeing this for Brandon's sake. She's my voice of reason, and I'm so very grateful.

"I guess tonight, we'll hash it all out?"

She nods. "That would be for the best. Only then can you finally move on. Don't be afraid, Scarlett, you've grown so much, you're stronger than you give yourself credit for. No matter what happens, you have Brandon and me."

I rest my head against her shoulder. "You're right."

She pats my hand. "Aren't I always?"

I laugh, just as she had intended. "Yeah, you are."

I hope tonight goes smoothly. I don't want to argue, and I don't want to cry. I just pray we can resolve things for Brandon's sake.

SEVEN

AXEL

"Ah, son, you're here," my father says as I enter the conference room.

I grit my teeth when I see he’s brought along two of his attorneys. I have a feeling this isn't a social call, and whatever the fuck he's got to say is going to piss me the fuck off. Our relationship hasn't been great since the day he told me I had to work for the company or I'd be kicked out and alone. It took me a few years to realize the company wasn't as bad as I had first thought. Since becoming the COO, I've learned a lot about the workings of it, and with some new additions to the team, especially in marketing, we've grown tenfold.

"Father, what can I do for you?" I ask.

I see him at work on the very odd occasion. He's not part of the business much anymore, he's more of a figurehead. One that's got a lot of sway over what happens, and that's something I'm hoping will change. I have a friend looking into the contracts and the business aspects to see if there's any way around it all. Ideally, I'd like to edge my father out completely. This is my grandfather's business, one he and his friend built from the bottom up. When I came onboard as COO, I realized quitequickly that my father was sinking the business quicker than he was taking clients on.

"Sit down, Axel," he snaps, and I raise a brow. As much as he likes to believe he's got a strong hold on me. He doesn't. The man is someone I despise more than anyone. No matter what he says or does, I do not let it affect me, I won't let it affect me as it did five years ago.

I take a seat and glance at his attorneys. "I have a meeting soon, so whatever it is you have to say, father, please get on with it."

I try to be as respectful as I can while around other people and especially when I'm in the office. But the man hasn't got my respect. He never will again.

"It's time," he begins. "I've pushed this off for as long as I can. Enough is enough," he says as though he's past his patience. Yet, I have no idea what the hell he's talking about. "The contract you signed when taking the COO position was clear, Axel. To gain the majority share of this business and become the Chief Executive Officer, you are to be married and produce an heir. I'm giving you eighteen months, Axel, if you're not married and have a child, the contract you signed will be null and void."

I stare at the old man, the one that's getting frailer by the day, and I only feel hatred. I fucking knew he'd pull some shit with this. I didn't know it would be this fucked up though.

My father pushes the contract I signed toward me, there's highlighted text for me to read over, but I don't. I'm not giving him the satisfaction of looking. "Is this all?" I ask in a bored tone.

My father gets to his feet, his mouth twisted into a snarl. "You have eighteen months, Axel, I advise you to find a bride and do it soon."

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