Page 36 of Merging with the Billionaire

Roger leaned forward in his chair, placing his hands on his knees as a confused look settled on his face. “You’re going to have to explain what happened, Conrad, because I can honestly say, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Conrad wasn’t sure he wanted to get into what he saw with Roger. What he needed was another jolt of coffee. He stood up and headed over to the counter where he left his caffeinated beverage. He picked it up, took a long swig, and then came back to his seat.

“After the picnic, I dropped Tiffany off at her place. I was headed home when I realized that she had forgotten her wallet in my car. I went back to return it and found Artie Frankhurst outside her apartment. I wasn’t sure what he was doing there until I saw them kissing.”

“Are you sure you saw them kissing, or did you see Artie kiss Tiffany, and you left before you saw her push him away? I only ask, because I know for a fact, that there is no way she willingly kissed him, let alone made plans to get back with him.”

“And why is that?” Conrad inquired, taking another drink of his coffee.

“Because Tiffany dumped Artie when she found out he was cheating on her,” Roger explained. “It’s not my story to tell, but he hurt her really bad. I honestly thought she might swear men off forever because of what he did to her, but then somehow you worked your way into her life, and she opened up to you.”

Conrad felt sick to his stomach. Why had he been so brash and taken off without giving Tiffany a chance to explain? He should have known better, but he let his fears take over. “I didn’t know that. She never talked about what happened between them, and I never wanted to press her on the matter.”

“If I’m completely honest, you wouldn’t have been the man I picked for my sister,” Roger admitted.

“Right, because I’m not like you and Artie. I don’t come from a long list of rich relatives who came over on the Mayflower centuries ago,” Conrad mocked.

“No, it’s because you have a chip on your shoulder, a chip so big you let it cloud every decision you make, down to not giving my sister the benefit of the doubt. You need to let go of your anger, over your past and where you come from. For my part in what happened, I’m sorry, but you can’t use that to keep you from your future. If you can let go of your past, maybe there’s a chance for you and my sister. I mean, after all, she could do a lot worse.”

Conrad rolled his eyes, putting his coffee down on the table. “That’s a ringing endorsement.”

“Actually, it is. It’s hard for me to admit when I’m wrong, Conrad, but I was where you’re concerned. You’re a good man, if you can get out of your own way.”

“So, other than coming over here to berate me and tell me how utterly I’ve failed, why else are you here?”

Roger looked Conrad straight in the eyes. “I came here to tell you to fight for my sister, fight like you did for your place in society, your company, for everything you’ve ever earned. If you do that, I will back you a hundred percent.” He stood to his feet and headed for the door. Over his shoulder, he added, “Don’t make me regret coming over here and apologizing to you. Go find my sister and tell her you love her, because it’s obvious you do.”

As Conrad sat on his sofa contemplating what Roger just said, he realized that everything the other man said was true. He was harboring resentment and anger from his past. He didn’t trust anything or anyone because of it, and it caused him to possibly ruin the best thing to ever happen to him.

If he was going to change, he needed to give everything over to God. He spent the next half hour praying and releasing his past pain, then the next half hour getting ready to go win back the love of his life.

* * *

Nearly half theday was gone, and Tiffany knew she needed to be getting ready to head into work. All she wanted to do, however, was to continue to lay in bed and mope over how things ended with Conrad. She really cared about him and couldn’t believe he just ghosted her out of the blue. One moment, she thought she had found the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with, and the next, he was gone without a trace.

She grabbed a hair tie and quickly pulled her hair up into a tight bun before shuffling into her closet. She picked out a navy-blue pantsuit along with a cream top and slipped them on. Next, she brushed her teeth, then put on her makeup, before finishing her outfit with a pair of beige pumps.

A knock at her door caused her to pause, wondering if she should answer it. Was Artie back again, bothering her? If he was, it was time for her to involve the authorities. Grabbing her cell phone, she marched over to the front door. “Look Artie, I told you to never come back here,” she yelled through it, just before she threw it open to reveal Conrad on the other side. “What are you doing here?”

“I was hoping we could talk. Can I come in?”

Tiffany debated, wondering if she wanted to allow Conrad access to her home again. Her need to know the truth overruled her pride. She gestured for him to come inside.

They made their way into her living room where she took a seat on the couch. He sat down next to her and turned to face her. “I know I hurt you, Tiffany, and I want to say I’m so sorry.”

“You came here to apologize?" she asked with incredulousness. “Well, let me save you some time. I don’t need to hear an apology; I need you to tell me why you decided to ghost me. We were in a good place, finally able to be open and honest about our relationship.”

“I know, and I messed it all up. I came back to your apartment and found you with Artie, and assumed all the wrong things,” Conrad explained. “And I’ve realized, it wasn’t just because of that. It’s because I hadn’t let go of my past. I was walking around wearing my hurt like a shield constantly waiting for everyone to betray me. It’s why I never let anyone get close, until you. Somehow, you snuck through all my defenses, and by the time I realized it, it was too late. I was in love with you.”

“You’re in love with me?” Tiffany repeated back in shock. “Really?”

He nodded. “So much, it scared me into running away before I could get hurt, but I realized now, loving you is worth any amount of potential pain I might face down the road. I would risk everything to be with you, Tiffany.”

“I love you too,” she said, reaching out and placing her hand on his. “It’s why I was devastated when I thought you were done with me.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you like that, but I can promise you, I will never run away again. I’m here to fight for you, Tiffany, every day if I have to.”

A small smile curved her lips. “You are a good fighter, I mean, that’s how we started out after all.”

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