Page 99 of Broken Daddy

Did something happen to her so soon? She only just left—must’ve been sometime after I brought Eva to Chris’s before heading in to work.

What if we were wrong and Erik was working alongside someone else?

“I just got a text from Gen saying she’s moving to Germany. She’s not picking up her phone, which is definitely on purpose. So I’m asking you. What’s going on?”

Silence takes over the line.

“Nathan. You need to talk to me. I know I sort of pushed Gen on you, but I also know she’s—I don’t know how to explain it. She’s been more comfortable since she started working for you. More herself, and I just need to know what’s happening. I’m worried.”

Guilt nibbles away at my insides, because I know whatever I say right now, things will never be the same.

And Russ. Well, I don’t lie to Russ.

She’s already gone. It’s not like you can rebuild the bridge you burned.

So I take a deep breath, and I tell Russ Walker exactly what’s going on with his sister—the woman I’m in love with.

Chapter43

Genevieve

Even with Erik locked up, the knock on the door makes me jump.

I open the microwave door, letting the scent of popcorn waft out, and scan the apartment quickly.

It doesn’t feel like home anymore, even though a lot of my things are still here. But did it ever?

It’s a short walk to the door and I find myself stopping abruptly. The clock over the stove says 7:30 p.m., which is a bit late for anything, really. My landlord wouldn’t be checking in this late, and I’m not close with any of my neighbors.

Keeping the chain on the door, I undo the latch and open it just a few inches. Peer out into the hallway.

All the breath is sucked from me.

“Nathan? What are you doing here?”

I don’t mean for it to sound rude, but it must, because he shifts uneasily from one foot to the other. His brow is furrowed, his hands clenching. A nervous habit.

“Gen, we need to talk.”

Disappointment washes over me quickly. What was I expecting, some Hallmark moment? Nathan Sharpe confessing his love for me instead of using his serious billionaire CEO voice on me?

I push the door shut, undo the chain with a clatter, and open the door fully.

“You might as well come in, then.” Can’t exactly have him stand in the hallway, can I?

It’s a little tempting, mostly because I want to avoid embarrassing myself further. I can already feel my face burning with shame.

As Nathan follows me into the apartment, I register the time again and turn around.

“Where’s Eva?”

“She’s at Chris’s for the night.”

My heart does a stupid little leap.

“Is—is everything okay?”

His jaw clenches, the tendon working. “No.”

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