Page 37 of Knocked Up By the Silver Fox

"Did Allen tell you what's happening?" she asked, and her face turned to take me in. Her eyes looked pained, her lips slightly curled downward in a frown.

"We've had several board meetings, yes." This wasn't the topic I wanted to discuss, but I could tell she was having emotions about it. It did involve her too, and I knew no one would ever inform her of things unless I did. I was fighting hard to make sure my board and my chiefs all knew she wasn't doing what the gossip mill said.

"And?" she said in a defeated tone.

I rested my hand on her thigh and rubbed my thumb back and forth. She still didn't loosen up at all. In fact, she grew more tense as I explained things.

"Nevil is buying up shares as fast as shareholders sell. There is talk about me sleeping with you." I grimaced and bit back my own emotion so I could keep a steady expression for her. I didn't want her fears to feed off my lack of self-control. "People are saying you were selling insider information and some of our shareholders fear they'll lose money, so they're backing out."

The entire thing was a scheme cooked up by Banks himself; there was no doubt in my mind. Though I'd recently come intosome new information from our CTO that the email address that sent Beth those bullying emails was created and came from within our own servers. It meant someone on my team was taunting her all along, so that part wasn't cooked up by Nevil.

"Will, this could destroy me. You know I've sent out three hundred résumés and I've only gotten a handful of responses?" My chest tightened and I hid my scowl. I hated that she felt like she had to look elsewhere for work, but I knew she was only protecting herself. "This whole thing is destroying me, and you swore no one would know. Every firm in New York has seen the tabloids. I have to search for a backup employment opportunity outside of the city."

My throat knotted up and I swallowed it back. "Beth, I'm not going to let them fire you."

"You can't decide what they will or won't do." She turned away and stared out the window and I knew she was hurt. There really was no way I could stop them if they wanted to fire her. They could vote me out as CEO at any second too. It was out of my control and she knew it. And my empty promises weren't ever going to bring her reassurance.

"I got a job offer." Her lips moved and sank my heart like the Titanic.

"You what?"

Beth swiped at her face and I knew she was crying. "All of this is my fault, Will. Your life would be on track if I hadn't messed things up. You told me after that kiss that nothing could happen, and I agreed that day. And then you flirted with me and I should've said no. I should've walked out of your office that day. Abby wouldn't hate you or me. The board wouldn't be breathing down either of our necks. And Nevil Banks wouldn't be trying a hostile takeover just to get me."

Beth turned to look at me and her words cut my heart open. "Beth, don't say that. I love you. I don't care what happens to anything else. This isn't your fault. We love each other."

"The job is in London." Her eyes met mine and the shock of her statement slapped me. I pulled back, sinking into the leather of the seat. My shoulders drooped. It felt like the wind was sucked out of my chest. "They can start me in one month. It's better pay, better benefits. They'll give me a relocation stipend and?—"

"No," I muttered but it was halfhearted and weak. I was devastated. I thought we were on the right track here. I thought things were going well. Abby was even coming around.

"It might be what's best, Will." She leaned forward, angling her body toward mine now. "I can't sit here and watch you lose your company while the entire city is calling me a gold digger and saying I'm sleeping my way to the top."

"Beth, you can't believe that moving across a whole ocean is the best thing." I took her hand and pressed it to my heart. "You'll destroy me."

The car rolled to a stop and the brakes squeaked. "I'd be saving you, Will. You just don't see it yet." She sighed sadly and leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "I need some time to think about this choice…I just need you to respect that, okay? Don't try to call me or buy me flowers or convince me I'm wrong. Just let me think." Her sad eyes raked across my raw soul and left me bleeding out.

"Beth …"

"Bye, Will," she said as she slipped out of the car and into the night. When the door shut, it felt like a bomb went off in my chest. None of this was supposed to happen. She couldn't go to London, I just found her. I just fell in love. Things weren't supposed to go like this. We were supposed to be happy now.

25

BETH

The stares were getting worse. It had been weeks since I told Will I needed a little space to think about things and in those few weeks it felt like my entire world had imploded. I knew my work wasn't what it should be because I was distracted by the atmosphere I was in.

A few of my coworkers ignored the talk and treated me the same as always, but some of them were snide and made hurtful comments every chance they got. It made coming to work feel daunting and the more it stretched on the more I was strongly considering a different job. My résumés had been fruitful, just not here in the city.

I hid in my cubicle with my head low and my hand pressed on my belly. I'd begun to feel the flutters of life in my womb and those tiny movements became my solace throughout the day. I still didn't know how to tell Will, especially with the gossip going around. I knew he would never think I was out to get his money, though I wasn't sure he would be happy about it. He was in his mid-forties. A man that age doesn't think about having children. I knew he was probably focused on continuing to build his empire until he retired.

No, if word that I was pregnant got out, it would be me who suffered. I could almost hear the rumors now—Beth Reid slept herself to the top and look where it ended her…And poor Abby. I saw the way she resented me when I sat across from her at that table. Yes, she was civil with me, and maybe Will looked at that and thought she was being friendly, but I knew she didn't want me there. How much more would she not want a baby?

The entire thing was stressing me out beyond belief. I knew no matter where I was, I'd still have the stress of being pregnant and having a baby whose father might or might not want them. And I'd still have to fight out of this dark place I'd been in mentally for weeks now. But if I left and took a job on the West Coast or that one in London, I'd leave Will in a better place. He'd have a more powerful position with the board, and his daughter too. And Nevil would have no reason to try to take over Will's firm.

"Ms. Reid?" I heard and my head popped up.

Allen Reithman stood at the corner of my cubicle as if hovering, waiting to be invited in. I sighed and sat straighter, though my baggy sweater was hiding my tiny bump. It had started popping out, and I'd taken to wearing baggy shirts with sweaters over them and leggings, to avoid being noticed. For the most part it was working, but I knew it would only last a short time. Soon it would be obvious to everyone, which meant I had to make my decision soon too.

"Yes, sir?"

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