Page 43 of A Billionaire's Secret

“It’s more complicated than you think,” he began, staring blankly. “Diana did it behind my back, but I also got involved, hoping to protect her.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me until now?” Anger seeped through my words. “I could understand why she couldn’t tell me, but you? And you have the nerve to say you love me? Or did you say that out of pity, regret, and desperation?”

“Victoria, I’m not one for excuses,” he declared. “Nor do I do and say things out of desperation. But you were right. You don’t know me. And you don’t know the distance I would go to protect the people I love. You included.”

“So much so that you’d standby and watch me get wrongfully defeated by your daughter, find out about it, and then try to cover it up instead of coming clean to me?” I leaned over the table, making sure every word sunk in.

Christian tensed up in his seat and leaned in, his warm breath filling the space between us as he spoke.

“Did it ever occur to you that I tried to protect you? That telling you about it could make you a witness and get you involved—” he insisted.

"I can't do this," I cut him off, my voice trembling with pain and anger. With that, I turned on my heels and fled the restaurant, desperate to escape the suffocating truth.

20

Christian

Asmuchasmyheart felt crushed and my ego—destroyed, a liberating feeling flooded my veins. It was true what they said—the truth does set you free. Diana knew about Victoria, and Victoria knew about Diana. Whether or not they’d forgive each other was out of my control. But I wanted nothing more.

Diana, William, and I had agreed to pay one million dollars to the vet and put all of this behind us. William had surprised us last minute with an agreement that he had drafted and made Dennis sign. The agreement stated that Dennis had confessed to administering the drug and then agreed to receive a final sum of one million dollars in return for silence. If he ever spoke out, the document would be entered as evidence in court. Yes, Diana and I would be held liable, but so would Dennis. He’d be tried and convicted for drugging the horse and accepting a hefty bribe for it.

“Dennis, I’m not sure you understand the gravity of all this and what would happen to your life if you ever told a soul,” I had grilled him that day.

“I do now,” he had confirmed. “You won’t ever hear from me again.”

“It’ll be best if you lay low once you receive the money, don’t go flaunting it around, raising suspicions as you did with your new ride,” I had insisted.

“Understood. I will.” Dennis had nodded, shifting in his seat. “Can I go now?”

“Yea, get out of my face, and I can only hope you find another job. You’re not fit to be a vet,” I had finally spewed.

I had walked out of that bar, knowing full well that I’d live the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. But I hoped that Diana wouldn’t have to. And for now, that was enough.

***

“Diana, let’s go! What’s taking you so long?” I yelled at my daughter with one foot out the door.

On her own accord, Diana had asked me to accompany her to Louisville. She said she had some unfinished business she wanted to take care of. The secrecy of her words left a sour taste in my mouth.

“Dee-Dee, you have to understand that this secrecy is making me nauseous,” I pleaded with her on the road.

“I know, it’s nothing bad, I promise,” she assured me.

“Well, where am I taking you?” I inquired as we approached the city.

“Barrington Downs,” she declared.

“What’s there? I thought you were done with that place?” I questioned her, adjusting in the car seat.

“Just trust me, Dad. I need to do something,” she scoffed, turning up the radio to shut me up.

Discomfort and anxiety raced in my veins the closer we got to the stables. My heart beat faster with the idea of running into Vitoria there, but most of all, I didn’t feel ready to face her after our last dinner.

I knew I had hurt her deeply, and there was nothing I could say to make it better. I hoped that with time, her hatred toward me would wash off, and through repeated acts of kindness, I’d win her back. But today, I’d stand back.

I pulled up a few feet from the gate, and Diana slipped out, slamming the door before I could ask her any more questions. I sat there for a few moments, contemplating getting out and looking for Victoria, but anxiety got the best of me, and I disappeared behind the rolling hills. I, too, had something to take care of.

I came to a stop at my Louisville estate and greeted Edward, who patiently awaited me.

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