Page 63 of Owned By a Billionaire

My heart cried for the man who had stolen it.

“Why did he leave?” Declan asked.

I puffed. “It’s a long, sad story. In a nutshell, he’s not who he says he is.”

Declan sat next to me on the sofa and took my hand. “I’m sorry, Mum. I could see he meant the world to you.”

I gulped back a growing lump in my throat. Using all my inner strength, I held back the tears burning behind my eyes.

“So, who is he, then?” Theadora asked.

I shook my head. “No idea. Rey knows.”

“If he can find out, you certainly can,” Declan said.

“I know. But, to be honest, if Cary can’t find it in his heart to tell me, then it’s not really worth it, is it?”

Declan nodded pensively.

I rose. “I best be off.”

Declan followed me downstairs. “Crisp’s not having the farm, Mother. Is it so bad if everyone learns he introduced you into Dad’s world? Or is there something more to it?”

Remaining silent, I walked out the door before my son could press me further.

I knew what I had to do.

I had to go to the police and tell them the whole unfortunate story, if only for my children’s future, because Reynard Crisp was like a cancer. He wouldn’t stop, and the thought of his criminal activities playing out so close to my grandchildren sliced me in half.

It was either hand myself in to the law or take a darker route, just as Manon had already spoken of.

I texted Theadora, asking for the address of that college.

She sent it back immediately.

Thefollowingday,Iwas in London. It didn’t take long to find Cary, who was just leaving the college at around the same time as Theadora had mentioned.

Walking with his eyes on the ground, he didn’t notice me waiting at the gate. My pulse pounded. I felt like a teenager about to strike up an awkward conversation with a boy she liked.

What if he tells me to go away?

Squaring my shoulders, I took a deep breath.

Cary glanced upwards and stopped walking, looking shocked at seeing me there. His hesitant gaze held a sense of caution, as though I were someone dangerous.

After a long silence, he said, “Caroline.”

I took his hand, which was bonier than I recalled. “Please, can we talk somewhere?”

He looked away, as though staring at me hurt. “I suppose Thea told you?”

I nodded.

He rubbed his jaw, which hadn’t seen a razor for a while. “I know I look terrible. In this jacket and these clothes…”

“I don’t care how you look. Let’s go somewhere private.”

He sighed and nodded. Pointing to a park, he asked, “How about we sit there? Or do you want a drink somewhere?”

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