Love and Deceit

piercing sound broke through the calm silence like a knife, and I stared at the sc

of the Sinclair estate. I debated letting the call go to voicemail, but I knew better.

d sigh, I picke

I said, keeping

g, not a trace of warmth. Just my name, spoken like it

ock on the wall. "It's late. C

m for negotiation. "Be here in thirty minute

d respond, the

screen as frustration bubbled up inside me. Typical Charles

-not with my father. Charles Sinclair didn't take no for an answer, and going against

r. My apartment wasn't far from the Sinclair estate, but e

and sprawling gardens a testament to the wealth and power my father h

ly neutral as she ushered me inside. The warmth of the house d

study," she said quietly, befo

untless lectures, arguments, and ultimatums over the years.

avy door open,

hority. His graying hair was perfectly combed back, his tailored suit

gesturing to the

, Dad? You dragged me out here in

he didn't rise to my b

sank into the chair, my arms crossed.

ing, like I was a piece on a chessboard he was trying to position.

t heavy with implication. "The company is facing challen

off guard. "What

ything," he said, his tone clip

.. what does that

s locking onto mine. "I've

the gut. For a moment, I thought

gical thing in the world. "His family's company, Reynolds Pharmaceutical

inside me. "You can't be serious. You expect

y father said dismissivel

d, rising to my feet. "This is insane, Da

e, Aurora. I'm saving this family. And whether you l

y. "I won't do it. Find another way to sav

e. "This isn't a request, Aurora. The papers are already

his words sank in. This wasn't a

my voice barely above a whisper.

ll height. "And I will. Unless you want to se

een the heart of this family, the glue that held everything together. Los

let them fall. "I hate you," I whispere

t air biting at my skin. My mind raced, torn betwe

hought struck me, f

on Re

one I couldn't quite place. But I knew

s dang