Page 126 of The Honest Affair

That she remain divorced from Calvin Gardner for the remainder of her life.

That she assume an executive position within De Vries Industries and a position on the board of directors.

That she maintains a permanent residence in New York City.

If she fulfillsthe first obligation but chooses not to work for the company or live in New York, I instead bequeath ten percent of the company’s shares to do with as she pleases.

By the time he finished,tears were streaming down Nina’s face, and she wasn’t making a move to stop them. Skylar and Brandon remained quiet, not completely familiar with all of the complex family dynamics that would have precipitated such a reaction. But Jane’s eyes were shining too, and Eric watched with satisfaction as his cousin received her due.

“We wanted to tell you after the divorce,” he said. “But Thomas thought it would be better to add it to the probate proceedings. It was approved yesterday…so here we are.”

Nina seemed to be having a hard time speaking. Or even moving, for that matter. Eventually, she was able to reach into my lap and took my hand.

“She loved me,” she whispered, so low only I could hear her. “Matthew, my grandmother. She…”

I squeezed back, then pulled her into my shoulder so I could stroke her hair. “I know, baby. She did love you. She really did.”

“She wanted me to be safe,” she said. “She knew something was wrong with Calvin. So she protected me. She protected my future.”

I said nothing, just stroked her hair. This wasn’t the first time Celeste de Vries had gone about protected her family by what struck me as fairly fucked-up, convoluted means. But I couldn’t doubt her motives. Not now.

Nina sat up, wiping her eyes.

“Mr. Clark,” she said. “Is there something I can formally sign renouncing my claims to the company position?”

“Nina, are you sure?” Eric said. “You guys can stay in New York if you want. Zola could work at the company too. We’ll make it a family affair.” He reached across the table. “She never meant it to be just me in charge, don’t you see that? She wanted you there too.”

Nina turned to me. The question in her eyes was clear: Did I want to stay in New York?

Out in the yard, Olivia screamed with joy. Minutely, I shook my head. This was the right place for us, money or not. That hadn’t changed, even with the difference of a few billion dollars.

Nina looked back at Eric. “I’m sure. We’re doing something important here, Eric. And the company…it was never my passion. Family was, you see. And Matthew and I need some time to build ours.”

Mr. Clark pulled out some papers containing what looked like the transfer of ownership of stock into Nina’s name, along with another bundle in which she released Eric from any obligation to share company leadership with her. She signed her name with flourish, then accepted the copies of the documents and placed them neatly beside her drink. Outwardly, she looked calm and reserved again, but on top of the documents, her hands were slightly shaking.

“The car will take you back to Logan,” Eric told Clark. “The helicopter is there on standby.”

With a curt nod, the lawyer stood up. “Thank you, Mr. de Vries. Mrs. de Vries. It’s been a pleasure doing business with your family.”

* * *

Late that night,I awoke to find Nina’s side of our makeshift bed—which as of now consisted of only a queen-size mattress on the floor—empty. Down the hall, I could hear a light snore from Olivia’s room. But my fiancée was nowhere to be seen.

I got up and followed a distant light shining from downstairs.

Nina stood in the kitchen holding a glass of water, a moonlit goddess in her satin nightdress, blonde hair flowing over her shoulders like water. I watched her for a moment, content just to take in her pure, unadulterated beauty.

Then she turned. And set down her glass, then crossed the kitchen to me with purpose.

Without speaking, she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. Surprised only at first, I was more than happy to reciprocate, slipping my arms around her waist, then lifting her easily onto the counter that seemed to be built at exactly the perfect height for this particular activity.

Her long legs wrapped around my waist, drawing me closer as she devoured me whole.

“Matthew,” she breathed, like my name was formed by the shape of her mouth.

She grabbed at the chain hanging over my bare chest, capturing the cross and San Gennaro medallion to pull me even closer.

“Nina,” I responded as I drew my teeth down her shoulder. There weren’t any other words to say. We just needed each other, here in the kitchen. In the middle of this strange, moonlit night.

---