Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Epilogue
One month later
Jade and her siblings gathered for the day in their parents’ lush backyard by the pool. She stretched out and relaxed under an umbrella, with only her legs in the sun. Her wedding was in one week, and she couldn’t wait to marry Knox right here, surrounded by the people she loved.
During the last four weeks, she’d started the therapy she’d missed, courtesy of Theo. Had she come to terms with what Audrey had done? Not yet. Was she still angry? She’d like to think her heart was too full for negative emotion, but there was a tiny corner that still hurt.
As for Theo, he was no longer an issue. Jade had given her statement to the police, and Theo had agreed to a plea deal in exchange for a sentence in a mental facility. The prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Scarlett Grayson, had asked Jade if she was okay with the potential sentence. For Holly’s sake, and the Theo she once knew, she’d agreed. Jade had liked Scarlett and how concerned she was about victim’s rights.
Holly was sad but adjusting, and Jade had brought her into the Dare family. She and Miles were here, enjoying the bright summer day and healing from the pain her brother had caused.
Beside her, Knox and Asher stood talking, looking at something on their cell phone screen.
She stood and joined them. “Hi, guys.”
“What’s up? You two looked deep in conversation.”
Asher slipped his cell into the pocket of his board shorts.
“You know our friend Derek Bettencourt?” he asked.
She nodded. “Business school buddy. He was on your Vegas trip, right?”
“That’s him,” Knox said.
“Isn’t he Senator Bettencourt’s son?” Aurora had walked over to join them. She was also in a one-piece bathing suit, and her cute baby bump was visible.
“The senator is also a presidential nominee,” Knox said. “And yes, Derek is his son.”
“He’s a fly under the radar kind of guy. The senator’s daughter, on the other hand, can’t seem to stay out of the headlines,” Asher muttered, a frown on his face.
His opinion of Derek’s sister was definitely not good, Jade thought.
“What’s her name?” Aurora asked. “Bettencourt sounds familiar to me, and not because of politics.”
“Nicolette Bettencourt.”
Aurora’s eyes widened with recognition. “I follow her on social media. She’s a model and an influencer.” Aurora waved at Nick, who was approaching with Leah’s hand in his. The imp had red ice pop stain all over her face, and it wasn’t even lunchtime yet.
Aurora shook her head and sighed. “I need to make sure he’s not spoiling her rotten. I’ll be back.”
Jade laughed and rubbed her own belly, wondering if she was having a boy or a girl. She and Knox hadn’t yet decided if they wanted to know in advance. Knox’s hand covered her own as they cradled her stomach.
“Nicolette is trouble,” Asher was saying.
Jade narrowed her gaze. “That’s harsh. I hope you don’t tell Derek your feelings about his sister. And it’s a good thing you don’t have to spend any time with her. Something tells me you wouldn’t be able to hide your feelings.”
Asher frowned. “Of course I wouldn’t say anything to Derek. But she has a public reputation. It’s not like I’m making things up.”
Jade settled her hands on her hips, not happy with her brother’s stubbornness and judgmental attitude. “She’s only twenty-one years old. Barely an adult. I think pegging her as trouble isn’t fair.”
Knox squeezed her tighter, a warning for her to relax. She understood he was worried about her anxiety and the baby’s health but Jade knew she was fine.
“Then I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree,” Asher said. “But one thing is certain. Today’s photos are going to hurt her father’s reputation.”
At that statement, Knox muttered in agreement.
“What photos?” Jade asked.
“Someone sold compromising pictures of her and posted them online,” Knox said.
“Naked ones?” Jade asked, horrified. “That poor girl.”
“What was she doing putting herself in a position for the photos to be taken in the first place?” Asher asked.
Jade glared at her oldest brother. “Oh, I don’t know. Are you saying you didn’t do stupid things when you were young?”
“He was born old,” Layla said, laughing as she walked by.
Their younger sister had friends coming over today and was lost in her teenage world as she headed to her room.
“Kid’s got a point about you.” Knox raised an eyebrow and glanced at Asher, laughing before turning to Jade. “Do you want a bottle of cold water?”
She nodded. “I’ll come with you. Asher, want anything?”
His cell rang, interrupting them before he could answer. He glanced at the screen. “It’s Derek.” He held up a finger for them to wait before answering the call. “Hey. You okay?”
Asher might be judgmental and uptight, but he worried about his family and close friends.
“Sure. Of course I’ll be there. See you soon,” Asher said.