Page 29 of The Breakup Broker

“James—”

“Did you know Henry comes to visit me every day?” The abrupt change of subject knocked me off balance. “Even on the bad days, when I don’t remember who he is.”

My throat tightened. “I didn’t know you were having bad days.”

“More and more lately, I’m told.” He let out a quiet breath, the weariness settling into his features. “The mind is a funny thing, Savannah. Some days, I remember everything—every book I’ve read, every deal I’ve made, every moment with Margaret.” His voice grew quiet at the mention of his late wife. “And other days ... I look at my grandson and see a stranger.”

“I’m sorry.” The words slipped out in Savvy’s raw, unguarded voice, not Jennifer’s polished tones. “I didn’t know.”

“Nobody knows. That’s how I wanted it.” He picked up his book, running his fingers over the worn cover. “Did you ever read this?”

“Gatsby?” I latched onto the familiar territory of literary discussion, which belonged to the old me, not the professional I’d become. “It was required reading in high school.”

“Ah, but did youreadit?” His eyes took on that familiar gleam he used to get when we discussed literature. “Really read it, not just for a grade?”

“I...” I hesitated, remembering countless discussions in his study. “I thought it was a warning about the danger of living in the past.”

“Close.” He set the book aside. “It’s about trying torecreate the past. Of thinking you can go back and fix what’s broken instead of building something new from the pieces.”

Understanding hit me like a physical blow. “James?—”

“Henry told me what happened with Caroline.” His voice carried a touch of amusement. “Quite the coincidence, wouldn’t you say? You being the one to deliver that message?”

“It was just business.” But even I could hear the lie in my voice.

“Was it?” He leaned forward. “Or was it the universe’s way of saying some stories aren’t finished yet?”

“Our story is finished.” The words came out sharper than I intended. “Henry made that very clear five years ago.”

“Did he?” James’s expression turned thoughtful. “Or did you both assume you knew what the other was thinking? That’s the trouble with young love—everyone’s so busy protecting themselves that they forget to actually talk to each other.”

“There wasn’t much talking involved.” I couldn’t keep the edge from my voice. “He just ... disappeared.”

“Ah.” James nodded slowly. “Like Gatsby disappeared from Daisy’s life? To protect her? To become worthy?”

“This isn’t a novel.” I stood, needing to put distance between myself and his too-perceptive gaze. “Henry didn’t leave to become worthy. He left because—” I stopped, realizing I still didn’t know why. All those years, and I’d never gotten an explanation.

“Because he thought he was protecting you,” James said gently, his voice steady but soft. “The same way I would have protected Margaret from anything—even myself if I had to.”

I turned to face him, my heart pounding. “What are you talking about?”

“Henry never stopped loving you, Savannah.” The words struck deep, knocking the breath from my lungs. “He walked away to keep you safe, even if it meant losing you. That’s not so hard to understand, is it?”

“That’s not—” My voice cracked. “He didn’t?—”

“Didn’t he?” James picked up his book again, though his gaze stayed locked on me. “My son-in-law can be ... persuasive when he wants something. And what he wanted was for Henry to be the perfect Kingston heir. No distractions. No small-town girlfriends with dreams that didn’t fit the family image.”

The room seemed to tilt. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that sometimes the people we love make terrible choices for the right reasons.” His expression turned somber. “And sometimes the right reasons aren’t enough to justify the pain they cause.”

I sank back into the chair, my legs suddenly unable to hold me up. “Henry’s father ... threatened him?”

“He did more than threaten,” James said, his voice laced with old anger. “He prepared everything in advance—manipulating property assessments, building inspection reports, creating a paper trail that could make the marina look like a failing business whenever he needed it. Richard doesn’t just destroy things, Savannah. He establishes the mechanism for destruction, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. Makes it look like he’s three steps ahead, ready to be the executioner.”

I stood abruptly, anger and hurt warring inside me. “I’m not surprised Richard Kingston would try to control everyone’s lives,” I said, my voice tight. “But I am surprised Henry let him.”

James watched me pace, his eyes tracking my movement. “What would you have done if he’d told you?”

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