Page 157 of Down Knot Out
Simon leans forward, elbows on the table, and grins like he knows a secret. “It’s me, of course. We’re announcing our engagement next month.”
The room drops ten degrees. Beside me, Dominic stiffens, his scent going sharp and defensive. Nathaniel stays motionless, but his knuckles turn white around the pen he grips.
Gregory shifts with a subtle flick of his fingers, dismissing Simon before turning back to me. “The Sullivan alliance has been useful, but Simon’s involvement ends here. Your match is with Jonathan Sinclair, as discussed. Your indiscretions with both the Santaros and the Misty Pines packs were unfortunate, but not irreparable.”
“Temporary deviations,” Gregory corrects. “But not permanent.”
Simon doesn’t back down. “Everyone experiments in their twenties.”
Gregory doesn’t acknowledge him. “Before any formal announcement, we’ll need to terminate your existing courtship and verify there are no complications. If pregnancy is confirmed, we’ll take appropriate action. There can be no question that the heir is ours.”
“Appropriate action,” I echo, emotion stripped from the words.
Nathaniel’s arm presses hard against mine now, his restraint wearing thin. The pen in his hand creaks under the pressure of his grip, plastic threatening to snap. Dominic doesn’t move, but his scent turns acidic. Rage coils through our bond, barely held in check. Gregory is talking about terminating their potential pup as if it’s a legal formality and not a life.
Gregory slides another document forward. “This outlines the expectations going forward. I suggest you read it and take notes.”
I flip it open and stare at the stack of papers, each page filled with Gregory’s plans for my life. A neatly organized future, where I serve as a pawn in his corporate empire and a vessel for the next generation. A bridge to his malleable future heir.
Harrison clears his throat. “We’ll need your signature today on the preliminary agreement. The rest can wait until after the public announcement.”
Gregory leans back, satisfaction settling across his features. “It’s time to come home, Chloe. This rebellious chapter ends now.”
Rebellious chapter. As if I had a say when I was kicked out of the Sinclair pack in the first place. Like I’ve been a child throwing a tantrum all thistime instead of struggling to survive without a pack.
I lift my chin. Gregory appears so certain, so convinced of his victory.
He has no idea what’s coming.
“I’m not here to agree.” My shoulders square, steadied by the weight of my Alphas’ belief. “I’m here to end this.”
His expression doesn’t change, but his scent shifts, a note of uncertainty cutting through the confidence. “End what, precisely?”
“Whatever control you think you have over my life.”
Simon snorts, leaning back in his chair. “This should be entertaining.”
The calmness with which Dominic opens our legal folder belies the simmer of anger flowing through our bond while Milo slides a stack of prepared documents across the table. The heavy cream paper bears the watermark of his prestigious firm.
“What is this?” Harrison reaches for the documents, scanning the first page, and his expression tightens.
“My counter-offer.” I lean forward, placing my palms flat on the cool surface of the table. “In exchange for full disassociation from the Sinclairname, estate, and any arranged matches, I want a buyout of my inheritance.”
Gregory stares at me, his face unreadable. “Disassociation?”
“I renounce the name, the estate, and the obligations.” Each word feels like shedding a layer of skin that never fit right. “I walk away clean. You pay me to disappear.”
A muscle twitches in Gregory’s jaw, the first crack in his composed mask. “This is absurd.”
“Is it?” I tap the document with my index finger. “You want to control me through inheritance? Let’s cut out the manipulation and get to the point.”
Gregory exhales slowly through his nose. “Whatever grievance you think you have?—”
“This isn’t about grievances.” I cut him off, my heart hammering. “This is about my freedom. I don’t want your name. I don’t want your legacy or your expectations. I just want your money.”
Gregory’s face hardens. “You sound like your mother.”
“Apt, don’t you think?” I meet his eyes without flinching. “Augustus married her for money. You rejected her for money. Let’s end this the way it began. With money.”
