Page 101 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"I don’t know that you can blame yourself entirely for Bennett's actions. He's a man, not a child. Although, I think he inherited your greed."

"I'm sure he did. I always knew Bennett didn't have the will to do what was hard. He was always looking for a shortcut. That's why I didn't give him more responsibility in the company, and why I was thinking of selling properties to put our financials in better shape. I didn't work as hard as I did for the last thirty years to have my son ruin all of that. I also knew I couldn't trust him. He's been in and out of alcohol and drug rehabs since he was fifteen. He's good for a while and then something snaps, and he goes off the deep end. I worried for years that I'd get a call one night that he'd overdosed. However, I never thought I'd find out he'd killed someone. That part is still difficult to digest."

"Have you spoken to Bennett about it?"

"Briefly. He doesn't want to talk to me, although, he has spoken to Paula a few times."

"How's she doing?"

"Not well. She wants to hide from all the bad publicity, so she's gone to stay at a sanctuary in France for a few months. She's embarrassed and ashamed of her husband and her son."

"I'm sure she's hurting. Will you stay together?"

"We've been married a long time, so probably…"

"I've wondered if she suspected something was off about your interest in me. She acted rather oddly when she let me wear your mother's necklace for my wedding."

"She wasn't thrilled with the idea. And she thought I was spending too much money on the wedding." He shrugged. "She might have been suspicious of my interest in you, but we didn't discuss it."

I had a feeling they rarely discussed anything, but I didn't care that much about his relationship with Paula. However, I was curious about one thing. "Is there a chance Bennett is going to wiggle out from these charges or get them lessened? Will you use your influence and wealth to save your son from life in prison?"

"No." His answer was blunt and unequivocal. "I want to be clear about that, Lauren. I'm not going to try to get Bennett a deal, because I won't let him ever be in a position again to hurt you."

"You should take me out of your will. Then he won't have any reason to hurt me."

"You're my daughter. I haven't been there for you, and I want to do better. I want you to have the life you deserve. And you will be in my will."

My gaze moved from Victor to my mother's tombstone, then back again. "I want to make one thing clear; I've had a good life, Victor. I might not have grown up rich, but I was taught the value of work and how to take care of myself. I was babysitting when I was twelve and serving up scoops of ice cream when I was fifteen. I had jobs after school and every summer. My mom helped me pay for college by working two jobs."

My eyes filled with tears, and I took a moment to regain my composure. "She gave me everything I needed, and she was the best mom in the world. She was my hero. I loved her more than I could ever express." I drew in a ragged breath, then added, "I came here wanting to yell at her for keeping you away from me, but I can't do that because she did what she thought was right. And if she was wrong, there's nothing I can do about it now. It certainly doesn't change how I feel about her."

"She was trying to protect you."

"And maybe herself, too," I said honestly. "My mom was a stubborn, proud woman. When you were willing to walk away from her, she was done with you. You weren't getting back in, no matter what. She was a fiercely loyal person, but if someone crossed her or did me wrong, she could be ruthless."

"I'm glad she was a good protector and that you had a great life with her."

I cocked my head to the right, a question on my lips that I'd wanted to ask since I'd learned he was my father. "Did you have something to do with me getting hired at your company?"

He shook his head. "I had no idea you worked for me until Megan brought me the marketing campaign, and I saw your name and your face. I couldn't believe you were one of my employees. Since you hadn't used your connection to me, I assumed you still didn't know I was your father."

"I didn't. I had been working in marketing, but I had never tried to go into the hotel industry because my mother hadn't wanted me to follow in her footsteps. However, when I saw the position at Carrington Resorts, it reminded me of her. I'd grown up in hotels, and working in one felt comfortable, like a second home." I cleared my throat. "That decision led to all of this…"

"Your job is still available, Lauren. If you want it."

"Too much has happened for me to go back to my old job."

"I actually have another idea, if you'll hear me out."

"What's that?" I asked warily.

"The Carrington Foundation. I'd like you to manage our philanthropic efforts. I believe you would be the perfect person to oversee where our money can best be used outside of our profit margin."

"I know about the foundation, but I've never been that impressed with it."

"Because it hasn't been impressive or a priority. I want to make it both of those things."

"Why? Because you think your company will need positive spin?"

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