Page 79 of Unbreak Me
“When I turned eighteen, I found out I was pregnant. I could feel Ian pulling away, so I went to my father and told him to test him. I had to know if he really loved me like he said he did or if he just wanted my father’s power and money one day. He was livid about the pregnancy but agreed to do what I asked on one condition. If Ian chose money over me, my father got to pick who I had to marry.” Sadness briefly flashes across her eyes before the emotion is locked away, and the coldness returns.
“He gave Ian a choice…choose me and be cut off from the family, or take a large sum of money and disappear for good. I was actually happy about the offer I came up with,” she laughs. “The thought of running away together seemed like a fairytale ending. I didn’t care about my father’s money…I just wanted him.”
“He chose the money,” I softly say. I can’t imagine how that hurt.
“He chose the money. It proved to me that, in the end, the only person you can count on is yourself. What Ian didn’t know was how cruel of a man my father could be. He failed the test, and in the end, it cost him his life.”
“He killed him?” I ask, shocked.
“Well, not personally. He has men for that. Ian knew too much of the business by that point. He couldn’t be trusted,” sheshrugs her shoulders. “I was forced to marry Richard, and no one even questioned me when I had a baby nine months later.”
“Did he know he wasn’t the father?”
“He figured it out eventually. He worked closely with Ian back then and put two and two together the older you got. You look exactly like him. The auburn hair was a dead giveaway. Every time I look at you, it’s a reminder of my biggest mistake. I was young and stupid to put my trust in someone else.” She looks at me with a look of disgust across her features.
“You were headed down the same path I was. I saw the look in your eyes when you didn’t think I was watching. You were falling in love with him,” she jerks her head toward Ryder, “and you were going to lose yourself in the process. I asked my father to have Richard transferred to Seattle because I needed you away from this small town. When I found out you were pregnant, I wasn’t about to let you waste your life away for a guy.” Ryder’s jaw is tense as he stares at her. I can tell how hard this conversation is for him to be quiet, but he’s letting me take control and say what I need to say.
“I underestimated you, though. Going behind my back to the FBI…I didn’t think you had it in you. I guess I should be thanking you, though. With Richard out of my life, Father wants me to be more involved with the business. I’ve proved myself by keeping an eye on Richard all these years. I’ve played the dutiful wife, and it’s my time to show them what I can do.” She smiles at me, and I get a sick feeling in my stomach.
“We lost a lot of money because of you. It’s time you started to earn some of it back. Come with me.” Her eyes go wild with excitement. “I’m going to need someone by my side who I can trust. I’m offering you more money than you can possibly dream of. When I’m gone, it will all be yours—your empire…your legacy to your child.”
Ryder stands up to say something, and I immediately go to him and place my hand on his heart. It’s beating fast under my palm as he looks at me. He takes a deep breath, and I close my eyes, feeling his love and strength swirl around me.
“You still don’t get it, Mother.” I turn and look at her. For the first time, I see her for what she is. A sad, lonely girl who’s scared. She’s shut herself completely off to love out of fear, even to her own daughter. “I don’t want your money. I never have. Love isn’t a weakness.” I glance up at Ryder and he gives me a small smile. “It’s our biggest strength.” I look back down at her and take Ryder’s hand.
“I’m not going with you. I choose Ryder. I willalwayschoose Ryder.”
“You can bring him with you,” she waves her hand at Ryder. “I’m sure I can find something for him to do.”
“My family isn’t going anywhere near you. We’re staying here.” Ryder’s firm voice fills the air before he grabs my hand. “We’re leaving.” We turn to go and her voice stops us.
“Hmmm. I wonder.” She furrows her brows and looks between us before settling on Ryder. “Two million.”
“Two million what?” Ryder’s been patient up until now, but I can tell he’s had about all he can take from her.
“Eve or the money. It’s a better deal than my father gave Ian. The only way she will leave with me is if you walk away. Think of what this money can do for your daughter, for your brothers…for your family.”
“You can’t be serious.” I look at my mother like she’s lost her mind, which is most likely the case.
“That’s not even a choice for me. Eve.”
“Fine. Five million.”
My eyes widen as I stare at my mother.
Ryder tightens his grip on my hand as he reigns in his anger. “We’re done playing your little games here. I can’t be bought. Noamount of money would make me leave Eve.” He pulls me to the door.
“You walk out of that door, Eve, and we are through. I won’t make you this offer again, so don’t come crawling back to me when you are bored of playing house.”
Ryder stops and turns to stare at her. “I know in your own twisted way, there is a part of you that loves your daughter. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come back for her. So, I’m going to tell you this one time. Stay away from Eve and stay away from our family. If I hear you are back in town, I won’t be so nice next time.” He turns to go, and I stop in my tracks.
“I need to hear you say it, Mother. I refuse to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I want your word.”
She lifts her perfect eyebrow at me, and a hint of amusement crosses her face. “You could have had such potential.” My eyes narrow at her and she sighs. “Fine. You’ve made your choice, no matter how stupid I think it is. You have my word. I’m leaving tomorrow, and trust me when I say I’m never stepping foot in this godforsaken town again.”
I search her eyes and feel she’s telling the truth. Ryder opens the door, and I glance back at her one last time. “Goodbye, Mother,” I say before walking out the door and finally feeling free of the chains she’s had on me.
When we get to the car, Ryder stops and pulls me in for a hug. I collapse into him and let him be my strength when I have none left in me. Tears soak his shirt as I let all my emotions run free.
