Page 52 of Billionaire Temptations

I stormed out the front door and climbed into the Rolls Royce, where Darren was waiting for me. Tears started to stream down my face because the reality of what happened and what was to come hit me. I wanted to throw up.

“I’m sorry, Emma,” Darren spoke as he handed me a tissue.

“It’s okay. We knew this fucking day was coming, and I thought I was prepared. But the truth is I love him, Darren.”

“I know you do, and I’m sorry.”

My phone beeped with a text message from Max.

“My parents are highly upset. Try to get some sleep, and I’ll come by in the morning.”

I couldn’t bring myself to answer him back. I continued to shake as Darren helped me out of the car.

“I have faith that things will work out, Emma.”

“I doubt it, Darren. Thanks for the ride.”

“Have a good night.”

I entered my apartment and headed straight to the bedroom. After changing into my pajamas, I climbed into bed and laid my head down as the uncontrollable tears fell.

I could barely openmy swollen eyes as I had to make my way to the bathroom to throw up. I tossed and turned all night from the nightmares I had. I splashed my face with cold water and grabbed my phone to see if Max had messaged me. He hadn’t. It was nine o’clock, and I didn’t know what time he was coming over. I needed to talk to him and tell him that I was in love with him. I couldn’t just let him walk away from this not knowing. It was a risk, but I was willing to take it. As I walked to the kitchen to make some coffee, I stopped when I saw a white envelope in front of the door, almost like someone had slipped it under. I walked over, picked it up, and ran my finger across my name, which was written on it. I nervously opened it and took out the white stationery that was folded inside.

My dearest Emma,

I’m writing you this letter because I can’t bear to say goodbye to you in person. Last night was one of the toughest nights of my life. Although we had this planned for the past three months, it still felt incredibly real. I’ll always cherish and never forget the time we spent together and getting to know one another. You are an incredible and loving person who deserves only the best. And believe me, I wish I were the best,but I’m not. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and you’re incredibly talented and smart. Something about you makes people feel good when they’re around you. Even if I had the shittiest day, just knowing that I was going to see you made it all better. Call me a coward for hiding behind these words because that’s exactly what I am. I know I’ve hurt you, and I’m sorry, and I hope you can forgive me one day. It’s time for me to step out of my father's shadow and discover the man I truly am. I’ve always dreamed of starting my own company away from my father’s, and now, thanks to you, I can do just that. I know this is probably as hard for you to read as it is for me to write. I’m a flawed man, Emma, and you deserve someone who’s flawless. Because that’s exactly what you are. Promise me you’ll never stop dancing and take full advantage of what life has to offer you. I’ve opened a bank account in your name for the sum of $250,000. I don’t want you to worry about having to find a job and living expenses. I’ve also set up an account at Parsons in your name with the rest of the tuition money until you graduate. Go to school and live your dream. You deserve it. Goodbye, my sweetest Emma.

Love always, Max.

I dropped the letter and fell to my knees, sobbing and shaking, trying to get hold of my emotions. The hope I had was gone, and I had nothing left. I set myself up for agreeing to this proposed deal, and I knew the more we became involved, the harder it would be to let go. I got up from the floor and lay down on the couch, where I spent the rest of the day. Kara and Molly came over after they finished working at the salon, and as soon as they walked in, they saw the letter on the floor. Molly bent down and picked it up while Kara came over and wrapped her arms around me, and I continued to cry on her shoulder.

Chapter Twenty

A week had passed,and I wasn’t any better. Hannah and Austin dropped by a couple of times to check up on me because I hadn’t been in school. I couldn’t bring myself to leave the apartment. All I did was sleep. On a Thursday night, there was a knock at the door. Kara was supposed to come over, so I thought it was her. To my surprise, when I opened the door, I saw Bradshaw standing there.

“We need to talk.” He stormed past me in anger.

“I’m really not up to?—”

“I don’t give a fuck what you’re not up to!” he yelled. “Was this whole engagement a sham? Did you help Max out so he could collect his trust fund and leave?”

“Talk to your son. Now I want you to leave.”

I wasn’t about to talk to him about this.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me everything!” He walked up to me and grabbed my arms, gripping them tight. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You filthy little whore!”

Suddenly, and out of nowhere, a strength rose inside of me as I got out of his grip.

“Don’t you ever fucking touch me again, or I swear to you that I will call the police. Imagine what the headlines would say. Imagine what Carol and Fiona would say. You disgusting pig! How dare you fucking blame me for Max’s behavior. Because of YOU, he did what he did—always walking in your shadow, expected to be the perfect son. Your dirty affairs with all your whores you’ve had over the years and then threatening your child if he told his mother! What kind of father are you? How do you feel that you’ve scarred your son from the age of thirteen when he saw you in Hawaii fucking another woman who wasn’t his mother?”

The look on his face was complete shock. The door opened and Kara walked in.

“What the fuck is going on in here? I can hear you all the way down the hall.”

“Mr. Hamilton was just leaving,” I spewed.

He turned and walked out the door without saying a word, shutting it behind him. I stood there, trying to calm down, when, suddenly, I felt an intense cramping in my stomach. I doubled over in pain, and Kara ran to me.

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