Page 117 of Billion Dollar Dispute

"So, you thought you'd wait here all day until I came home?" I cross my arms, eyebrows raised.

He leans back slightly, his posture relaxed but determined, his hands in his pockets. "If that's what it took," he replies, meeting my gaze without flinching.

“I’m not ready,” I say, softer than usual. I understand he’s trying, but I’m not ready to let him in just yet.

When he reaches out, my body jerks back. I can’t let him touch me; it’s too hard. His hand curls back, and he puts it back into his pocket.

“I only did it to protect you. Scared you’d get hurt and you’d lose hope, and I couldn’t have that,” he says with vulnerability in his expression.

“I’m stronger than I look,” I argue.

“What can I do to make you trust me again?”

“I don’t know,” I tell him honestly. I’m just empty and need more time. Words are just words to me. I used to feel safe and secure with him, but now…I feel hollow.

“I need to go inside and work. I have a lot going on right now,” I say, trying to scoot past him.

He stays quiet, his eyes fixed on my face. “I’ve never lost anything. Losing you made me die inside. But not only did I lose you… I lost Chad too. And you’re a package deal, and fuck, I want that. I love you. I love him. I love you both so fucking much. You're the loves of my life. Please.”

My knees threaten to buckle at his words. I know what he's saying is true, and my heart aches for my mouth to express thesame to him, but he hurt me by betraying my trust. I need proof of change, and that will take more time.

“I need time to think. You hurt me. It’s only been a few days.” With a shaky hand, I put the key in the lock.

He reaches out to touch me, but quickly retracts his hand. “Take the time that you need. Just know I’m not going anywhere. I’ll never give up on us. I made a mistake not telling you, and I swear I’ll prove that from now on. I’ll always be honest.”

I sigh. “That doesn’t change the fact that you should’ve told me.”

“You're right, I should have. That's something I will always regret. I’m so fucking sorry.”

His sincerity hits me hard in the chest, and my eyes sting. Before I can stop it, a tear slips down my cheek. “Me too,” I sniff as I turn and open the door.

I’ve never had a guy chase me and beg me like this before… This is different. But if I am to take him back, I have to wholeheartedly believe I can trust him. Our relationship only exists that way, and if I can’t see myself doing that, then there’s no point, even if I love him. Love alone isn’t enough.

“I won't give up,” he says, and I turn away before I say anything else. The moment I’m safely inside my house, I drop my purse and slide down the door, my ass hitting the floor as I cry into my hands. I stay there for a while, and when I’m blotchy and out of tears, I stand and start cleaning up the contents that fell from my purse.

I pause when I see the card Molly gave me. It was for her therapist.

As much as I want to give Harvey another chance, I need to focus on myself. I need to heal. From everything I’ve been battling, it’s time to call.

I don’t waste time or give myself a chance to overthink it. With the money coming in from the business and having paid Pedro and Jade back, I know it’s time to spend on myself. As hard as that is, I realize I need this. I hit dial, and when the receptionist answers, I book my first session.

Chapter 35

Harvey

I stand there, staringat the peeling cream paint, my head hanging low. Slowly, I walk back to my car, feeling like I’ve left my heart in that apartment. They’re everything to me, and without them, nothing else matters. I can still hear her sobbing behind the door, and all I want is to go in, hold her, and tell her I’m sorry until she believes me. I’ve failed her.

I drive to my parents’ house, shattering piece by fucking piece. Knowing she’s in pain is killing me. I have to fix this. Fix us. I’m dying inside.

With a heavy heart, I pull up to the modern New York house, ring the bell, and the longtime maid opens the door. My mom will be at work, but my dad might be here or at Grams’s. I hope he’s here.

“Hi Saylor, is Dad here?”

“Yes, Son, he's in his study,” she replies.

She calls me “Son” because she never had children of her own, and she watched me and my brothers grow up. I give her a hug as I enter.

“Do you need something to eat or drink?”

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