Vivienne’s POV
“Let him through,” I called out and Jerry spun to face me, his face blanking with shock as he took in the sight of me.
“Yes, Miss Terrence.”
Jerry Baxter looked worse for wear, his blue eyes bloodshot and his blond hair a muddy light brown that had slightly outgrown his usual playboy hairstyle.
He seemed so ordinary and small now. Nothing like the man who’d shamelessly divorced and chosen his mistress over me on our anniversary.
Mr Prescott and I had really done a number on him, hadn’t we?
A bitter smile grazed my lips as Jerry hurried past the security to reach me but I didn’t acknowledge him until we were in a meeting room and I had temporarily dismissed Christy.
“To what do I owe this… unexpected honor, Jerry?”
Jerry hadn’t stopped staring at me, almost seeming awestruck.
“I can’t believe you are actually the daughter of Isle Terrence.”
I met his gaze unimpressed.
“I can’t believe you came all the way here to tell me that.”
Jerry flushed with embarrassment at my words but I couldn’t find it in myself to feel bad for him.
Men like Jerry and Reid Prescott were the same.
All they cared about was money and status. Both of which I now had, unlike the poor Sophia of the past, who they’d looked down on.
“You are right. I didn’t come here for that,” Jerry said finally. “I came here because I want to apologize.”
Now this was unexpected.
I raised an eyebrow questioningly.
“Whatever for?” I asked.
Jerry’s gaze fell from mine, his hands balling into fists.
“I hurt you and shattered our marriage for nothing.”
Oh.
Those were the words Sophia Evergreen had so desperately wished for the day Jerry had tried to pay for her virginity with a check.
Now I couldn’t even be bothered to care.
“Our marriage was never a true marriage,” I shrugged indifferently. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
“Either way, I broke your trust in a despicable manner.” Jerry continued earnestly.
I almost rolled my eyes.
“I would prefer it if you went straight to the reason you are here,” I cut in abruptly as I checked my watch. “I have a meeting in fifteen minutes.”
Jerry straightened and I knew immediately that he was getting to the true purpose of this visit.
“Prescott,” He started. “You went to his wedding.”
At the mention of his name, all I could see was him in that suit getting married to Daphne. Kissing her. Holding her.
And all I could hear was his desperate plea last night for me not to leave him again.
Jerry’s words cut through my thoughts.
“I really hoped you would be happy even if it wasn’t with me, Sophia and I can’t forgive Reid for treating you the way he did six years ago,” He almost seemed to tremble with rage.
Jerry took my hand in his, his gaze passionate and deadly.
“Let’s join forces and take him down. With your hold on Terrence and my shares in Baxter Cor-”
I shoved his hand off mine, standing in one fluid motion.
“I’ll pass.”
Jerry seemed confused as he spoke.
“You’ll pass?”
“I have no intention of ‘taking down’ anyone,” I deadpanned. “My only concern is the growth of Terrence Corporation.”
Jerry’s lips parted, his disbelief apparent in his gaze, and he said the most outrageous thing.
“You love him.” He uttered.
No. I’d loved Mr Prescott. Reid had used me.
It was all past tense. Not that I’d clarify that to Jerry.
“I believe you can see yourself out, Mr Baxter,” I said dismissively, turning my back to him.
Jerry reached out and grabbed my wrist pulling me to a forced stop, moving to face me.
“What did he do differently, Sophia?” He asked, his eyes searching mine. “You forgave him so easily for manipulating you but you won’t even look at me.”
With all the self-defense classes I’d taken over the years, Jerry’s hold was far too easy to break.
“The next time you touch me without my express say-so, I’ll have you locked up faster than you can blink,” I threatened without my pitch changing even once.
“As for forgiveness,” I let myself smirk slightly. “I have a long memory and I will never forgive or forget the actions of people who intentionally hurt me.”
Jerry seemed even more confused.
“Then why-”
I interrupted him before he could even finish.
“Instead of borrowing trouble, why not focus on the imminent release of your deranged ex-fiancee?”
Jerry paused, his cheeks flushing red with embarrassment.
Apparently, Jerry hadn’t been successfully able to pin any charges on Kate, and my attempted murder charge had been unable to stick as well because my attackers had changed their stories at least thrice during a re-appeal.
I wasn’t too bothered about Kate though.
I had more than enough resources to ensure she disappeared for good if she so much as raised a finger against me and my children.
“I refuse to be dragged into your family’s affairs. If you want to get back at your brother, by all means do so, just leave me out of it.” I finished flippantly before moving to leave the room.
I paused just as I reached the door.
“Lastly, it’s Vivienne now, not Sophia.”
Jerry and Reid could kill each other if they wanted. I couldn’t care less.