Page 104 of Tender Offer
“I assure you, Alexander Donnelley outlined his wishes to the letter in the trust instrument,” our solicitor says from the other end of the table while gathering his papers. “I assisted in the trust’s creation, and I can guarantee that the guiding document is ironclad. A written notice of Victor’s termination as trustee has already been filed, as have the legal documents for the trust resettlement. I scheduled a call with Preston and William to review the details on Monday. Gentlemen, it’s always a pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”
Hugh’s rambling is the soundtrack to the war of remaining glares. He’s pacing back and forth like he had a claim to my family’s empire.
Michael assesses me from under an inquisitive brow, curious how I snatched control from my father’s fingers—something he’s yet to do with Hugh. William is on the phone behind my former desk, his Italian slip-on shoes propped up on the polished surface. He’s an annoying shit at times, but he is the only person I trust not to lead this company with greed. William alwayssupported my sustainability efforts, and he believes in centering local economies. That’s why he developed the relationships to do so while reducing our carbon footprint. This new vision will require him to travel more as CEO, but he’ll tackle it happily. William always loved being on the go, while I prefer to stay in one place.
There’s only one place I’d rather be, and I’m on the first flight out after Monday’s meeting.
Every day without Puff feels like eternal damnation. Everything is falling into place, but it means nothing if I can’t have her.
“How did you do it? The trust instrument isn’t public knowledge.” My father buttons his gray suit coat on his way over to me. “I made sure of it once you assumed CEO.”
“He had a damn good CFO,” KD says from the door. “It took some work, but I pulled everything we needed.”
“Bellamy Evangeline, are you—”
“Pregnant,” she supplies to her wide-eyed father, running a hand over the bump that’s protruding from her wrap dress. He stumbles to his chair for support. “Over five months now.”
KD has the pregnancy glow. She’s filling out more, her once slender shape giving way to new curves. The joy of expecting is in every smile she offers, which happens more and more often these days.
If Hugh Kidwell was at risk of a stroke before, one is imminent now. He’ll pop a blood vessel if his eyes grow any bigger. His gaze shifts from KD’s face to her belly before he stands and trips over himself in a rush to his daughter. He falters at her raised hand.
The frown currently wobbling her chin has me out of my chair, inspecting her for any signs of discomfort.
“What’s wrong? Is it the baby?” I haven’t stopped pursuing Madison, but I still check in with KD to ensure our daughter is okay.
“I don’t deserve you, Preston.” She wipes away a tear and sighs. “Have you looked at your email?”
My brows pinch. “No. I had my phone on silent for this meeting. You’re scaring me, KD,” I say to her pained stare and restless fingers rubbing her wrists. “What’s wrong?”
“I’d certainly like to know,” Hugh puffs. “You got my daughter pregnantandstole the company? You are a bastard, Preston.”
“No, he’s not!” KD’s bark hits her father like a jab. “Preston has always cared for me. Treated me as his equal. He fought for me to have a seat on the board, and you took it away from me because I wasn’t Michael, your precious son. You never call or visit, so don’t pretend you’re the doting father you think you are.”
Hugh shrinks half a size when he winces. There’s nothing he can say to erase decades of him devaluing his daughter.
“Hey.” I reach for her. “What’s going on?”
Her eyes brim with tears. “I wanted this,” she says, her voice choked. “Us. The chance to make you happy.”
“Bellamy,” I sigh.
“I know,” she nods and wipes her cheek. “I’m not her and never will be. Your actions are loud and clear. The way you pursue her. You love Madison.”
“I’ll be here to raise our child. You know that, right?”
She forces a smile. “I do. Preston, you’re a good man, but this isn’t your baby.”
Black walls close in as the foundation beneath my shoes threatens to crumble. The beginning drums of a migraine pound behind my temples, a steady beat to drown out the room. Hands are flailing, and mouths are moving. I don’t hear anything until my brother’s piercing scream.
“You let him believe he got you pregnant as a way to keep him?” Michael grabs William’s shoulder and shakes his head. William would never hurt KD, but he isn’t chambering the anger rising in his voice. “Do you have any idea what you put him through? We treated you like family when yours thought you were shit! Back up, Michael!” He pushes at her brother. “I’d never lay a hand on a woman, but I will knock a bitch out today.”
I close my eyes to ease the ache in my ribs and keep the room from spinning. William and Michael’s argument fades under the betrayal of one of the closest people to me. It’s a knife I never saw coming, a blade puncturing remnants of the care and trust I had for someone intent on upending the life I’m fighting to live with Madison.
Fatherhood is a life sentence I once feared, but thinking about it recently brought me joy. I didn’t know how or if Madison would choose to tether herself to the complicated web KD and I spun, but I was determined to love my child fiercely. A child that isn’t fucking mine.
“Preston, wait,” KD pleads when I pull away. “I swear I did not trick you. When I found out I was pregnant, I knew it was a sign that we were meant to be a real family. I love you. You were my first, and I hoped—” A sob racks her chest. “Everything is ruined!”
“You kept this pregnancy a secret for months.Months,” I seethe. “The games with Madison weren’t enough? You had to almost pin a baby on me? Do you have any idea the harm you caused? I cared for you, as a friend and a partner in this business.”
