Jefferson’s head swerved in her direction, his mouth falling open. “No. Don’t even think about it.”
Nicholas’ grip tightened on my hand, both of us watching his parents in a battle of wills. Neither of us had any idea what was going on across the table.
“Yes. It’s time.” Clara waved her hand toward us. “They are married, having a baby. It’s done.” She pointed her finger and jabbed him in the chest. you to be a man and own up. It’s time our son knew the truth, and we’re not going anywhere until he does. I’m so tired of this. Tired of my baby believing lies. It ends tonight.” She let out a sob. “If you love me at all, you’ll tell him.”
Jefferson’s shoulders slumped as his face fell into his hands. The door to the room opened again, breaking the silence, and Nicholas stood and walked over to talk to the server. I wasn’t sure what he said, but the server left and the door closed, leaving the room quiet.
“He won’t be coming in again until we’re ready.” Nicholas sat back down in his seat, seeking my hand immediately. His touch alone made the uncertainty of what was coming more bearable.
“Jefferson, please,” Clara pleaded one last time.
He raised his head and nodded at her, before turning toward me and Nicholas. His seemed to have aged in the short time since our announcement. I knew he was in his sixties, but he never appeared that old until this moment.
“You really love her?” he asked Nicholas, making it sound more like a statement than a question.
“More than anything.”
Jefferson let out a short laugh. “I’m happy for you both. I really am. Despite my behavior, I’m not blind. I can see now what I’ve been trying to tell myself it wasn’t true.” He rubbed his eyes as if he were tired. “When you first introduced us to Willow, I thought it was just a fling. A phase. The connection was there from the start, but I didn’t let myself admit it.”
He took a large gulp of his wine, composing himself before he continued. Nicholas’ thumb stroked the back of my hand, and I wasn’t sure if he was trying to calm me or himself. Maybe both.
“I suppose I should start at the beginning. Your grandfather-my father-made some really bad investments before he died. You were just a kid really, so I’m sure you had no idea how close we came to losing everything.”
Nicholas shook his head, glancing between his mother and father.
“Well, I salvaged what I could out of his estate after he passed and did something I’ve regretted ever since.”
My stomach twisted, and I sat there in rigid silence, waiting for the bomb to drop.
“At the time, I thought I was doing what was best for my family. I went to Simon, and he introduced me to some people, and convinced me that the only way to get everything back was to engage in some less-than-ethical activities.”
Nicholas frowned. “Spit it out. What exactly are you saying?”
“Bottom line is, I took advantage of quite a few illegal investment tips.”
“Insider trading?” Nicholas asked.
Jefferson nod. “Yes, for the most part. I built my family’s fortune back up illegally. From that point on, Simon owned me. He kept me, and in part, you, under his thumb ever since.”
Nicholas’ face paled. “He’s your best friend.”
“It’s mostly all a charade, Nicholas. He’s wanted certain things over the years for his silence, but he’s very sneaky and insidious about it. He acts as if he cares about me, cares about us, but all he cares about is coming out on top.”
Nicholas looked down at his lap, squeezing my fingers. “You promised him that I would marry Rosemary.”
My breath caught at Nicholas’ realization, and I narrowed my eyes at Jefferson.
“Yes.” Jefferson met my gaze for a moment. “Although apparently, she didn’t agree with her father’s choice until recently.”
At least he believed what I told him about Rosemary.
“You tried to push me towards academia. Why ?”
“I didn’t want you anywhere near the business field. I moved us all out to Atkins to try and get away from this for a while. Get some distance. But you always had a mind of your own. You did what you wanted, no matter what I said.”
Nicholas gazed at him. “I’ve lived most of my life thinking you never approved of me. Wondering what it was I did to deserve your criticism. Trying to prove to you how successful I could be. You always made me feel unworthy. You did all that because of money?”
Jefferson leaned forward, his hands on the table. “Don’t you get it, Nicholas? Do you not see what I’m trying to tell you?”
“What? What could possibly be worth what you live with and do for that bastard?”
“You could lose everything. You started your company with your trust fund. A trust fund I established. If Simon exposed me, it could ruin you.”
The blood drained from Nicholas’ face as the ramifications became clear. Everything he’d worked for all his life was in jeopardy, and there was absolutely nothing I could say or do about it.
A thousand thoughts and questions swirled in my head. How could Jefferson do this? Was it really possible for Nicholas to lose everything? What would that mean for us?
The money meant nothing to me, as long as I had Nicholas. Did he feel the same? Was I selfish
to want him to pick me over everything else in his life? Could I do that to him?
Nervous to the point of being sick as the seconds ticked away. Somebody needed to say something-anything-just to end the awful silence which had fallen over the table.
Nicholas snapped out of it first, lifting his head and staring at his father. “Quit being so fucking melodramatic. You’re scaring her.”
Was he talking about me or Clara? Could he feel my anxiety through our linked hands?