Page 119 of Dial B for Billionaire

“What else can I do? Pretend it's fine that he's destroying everything?”

“Everything?” Her tone sharpens. “Or your father's version of everything?”

I stop mid-chew. “Whose side are you on?”

“Yours. Which is why I'm going to say something you won't like.” She leans forward. “This stance you’re taking—where it’s your vision or nothing at all—it’s doing to Bennett exactly what your father did to me.”

My head snaps back. “What do you mean?”

“You’re choosing the company over your relationship.”

“That's completely different?—”

“Is it? I spent thirty years with a man who put Carmichael Innovations above our marriage. Above our family. Above me. And here you are, ready to throw away something you say is real for the same company.”

“I'm fighting for people's jobs!”

“You're fighting for an ideal.” Her voice gentles. “One that was already lost the day your father signed those papers.”

The eggs turn to sawdust in my mouth. “So I should just accept it? Roll over while Bennett dismantles everything?”

“I'm saying Bennett didn't create this situation. Your father's choices did.” She reaches across the table. “The company was bankrupt, honey. Without Bennett, everyone would have lost their jobs immediately. At least this way, some people got another year.”

“A year of false hope.”

“A year of paychecks. Health insurance. Time to find new positions.” She squeezes my hand. “That's not nothing.”

My phone buzzes on the coffee table. His name lightsup the screen, same as it has every few hours for three days. Mom notices.

“Still calling?”

“And texting. And sending flowers.” I gesture to the bouquet wilting on my counter. “Yesterday's apology roses.”

“What do they say? The texts?”

I shouldn't look. But I pull up the thread anyway:

Bennett:

Please talk to me.

I miss you.

I know I fucked up.

Let me explain.

Layla, please.

I can't fix this if you won't let me try.

I need you to know you're not just a line item to me.

You never were.

That last one makes my chest tight.

“He seems rather persistent for a cold-hearted corporate raider,” Mom observes.

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