Page 133 of Dex

“I didn’t know.I don’t even believe it.My father would never do this!”I cry.“I work there, Dexter.I didn’t see any signs that things were that bad.”

He exhales loudly.Wearily.Like a man defeated.“You were in the brand strategy department.I doubt you’d have known.”

“Is there a chance your father might be exaggerating?”I’m hanging onto this as if it’s my only lifeline.Because that’s a possibility.Paul Knight isn’t transparent, and I don’t trust him.

Dexter’s eyes cut to mine.“Not a chance in hell.Though it explains why he remained in São Paulo, when everyone returned, when we went on our honeymoon.He was there, going into the offices, most likely looking over things.Snooping.I had a feeling he would, and I would go so far as to say he probably even hired his own people.My old man has contacts everywhere.I’m guessing he got an independent group to audit your father’s books.That’s why it’s taken him a while to tell us.This man doesn’t make a move unless he has the facts.”

“That’s why he attacks like a snake.Because he can,” I snipe.

Dexter sounds so sure and even I believe this about his father.Suddenly I’m not so sure about my own father, and the thought turns me cold.Papai sent me into a marriage of convenience, without telling me the truth.

I feel betrayed by Papai, by the man I thought I knew.The ground beneath my feet feels like sinkhole, ready to gobble me up and swallow me whole.

“My father doesn’t like being tricked, Daniela.You don’t know how bad this is.You don’t know what the consequences are.”

We get into the elevator and descend in silence, my mind a whirlwind of questions and denials.This is bad.This is really bad.

When we step out, we walk straight across the marble floored lobby, heading for the front entrance.I glance up just in time to see Rio sauntering past, not stopping to talk to either one us.A quick head nod of acknowledgement, and he disappears into the same elevator we just vacated.No doubt heading up to see Paul Knight.My stomach pitches once more.

“He wouldn’t have called us into that meeting unless he had proof, so I feel like he’s telling the truth.You should speak to your father,” Dexter urges, his face haggard and lined with worry.“I need to be somewhere, but I have a car and driver arranged to meet you out front.He’ll take you home.”Then he walks away, like we’re strangers, all over again.

***

DEX

Rio sends me a text.

Wassup dude?You guys looked unhappy

What you gone and done now?

I shove the phone back into my pocket.I can’t deal with him right now.

Jesus.

I made the mistake of telling him, telling Jett and Zach how good things were between me and Daniela.They all joked about not seeing me, that I haven’t met them for drinks or anything lately.Did I have to tell them that I liked spending time with my wife?

Hell, no.

My wife.

What a fucking joke.

The warmth between us?That electric, easy intimacy we’ve lived in these last few weeks?Gone.Evaporated in an instant.I should’ve known a meeting with my father would end badly, but I didn’t expect this.

Now it feels like my whole world has been hit by a meteor.It’s a miracle we’re still standing, still breathing.

I try to work all day, closing the door to my office, telling my assistant that I can’t be disturbed.But I’m hiding, is all.Hiding from everyone and everything, trying to process this news.

Daniela might not have lied to me, but she didn’t come clean.And her father?

A joke.

Not only is he a bad businessman, but he also sold Daniela out to help him.He doesn’t deserve a daughter like her.

The day passes, and I realize I’m avoiding going home.Used to be that lately I didn’t like going into work.All I wanted was to be at home with Daniela, and now?I can’t bear to walk into my own apartment and confront the truth: This marriage is nothing but a sham, and she used me.

That’s not true, my heart whispers.Believe Daniela.She doesn’t lie.She’s too decent, and honorable for that.It’s possible that she didn’t know the full extent of what was happening with her father’s business.If that’s the case, it means she’s the innocent party here, and if anyone is at fault it’s her father, because he sold his daughter to the wolves, knowing that his company was in dire straits.

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