Page 318 of Double or Nothing

Bullshit.

I want to scream it from the rooftops.

“You accepted because you understood what was best for both families,” he says. “Just as I did.”

“You told me your father was dying.”

Mum presses her hand to her forehead.

“Please stop saying that, Alice.”

“Why? It happened. It’s the truth.”

“It was a misunderstanding,” Christopher lies.

I stare at him.

“You said Trevor was terminally ill. That seeing us married was his final wish.”

“I explained the pressure my father was under. You interpreted it too literally.”

His voice never changes.

That’s the most frightening thing about him. He doesn’t need to raise it. He’s such a good liar, he doesn’t need any dramatics to make it work.

“This discussion is about Bryce and Jack Reid,” Dad says. “Not Trevor.”

“No,” I say. “It’s about me, actually. It’s about me.”

“Alice –” Dad tries to interrupt, but I don’t let him.

“It’s all my fault,” I say. “Not theirs. If that’s how you want to frame things, I’m the villain here, not them.”

The room becomes deadly silent.

Mum reaches for my hand, but I don’t let her take it.

“Darling, what do you mean? How could this be your fault?”

I gather my words, trying not to burst into tears.

“Bryce helped Jack because of me. Jack created The Gilded Table because he believed in my work. So did Bryce. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t let them think I wanted a different life.”

My voice shakes.

So do my hands as I look at my father through teared up eyes.

“Don’t fire Bryce,” I say.

Dad studies me.

“Please!”

I hate how small the word makes me feel. A few hours ago I was flying high that collectors knew my name. Helena Mercer congratulated me and told me my work had spoken for itself.

Now I’m a child again, waiting for my father to decide if my confession will suffice.

“Bryce has been amazing for years,” I continue. “He’s done everything you asked. He’s worked every hour you needed and always put the company first. He’s been as loyal to you as anyone ever could be.”