Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 377(@300wpm)
She pushed her hair back off her shoulder. “Nursing jobs are difficult to find. Full-time ones especially, with all the cutbacks to health care here. When I graduated, I could only find part-time shifts. I finally got this position, and even it is only considered permanent part time. There are no benefits, no retirement plan, nothing like that. But I was happy to get it, because it was steady.” She sighed. “Not long after I started, Ronald became a member of the board and made a large donation to the hospital. He became a benefactor.”
I knew instantly it wasn’t due to his boundless generosity—he was still controlling her life. “So, he’s a silent threat?”
She shrugged. “I know he keeps an eye on me. I let him think I dislike the night shift, and I keep a low profile at work and do my job.”
“And you never make friends at work.”
“I keep my relationships private.”
As I suspected, she did that so he wouldn’t try to interfere. If he thought she was happy, he would do something about it. I couldn’t help but practically growl. “He’s a fucking asshole.”
“I know. I keep my eye open for other jobs. I haven’t had any luck yet, but I keep looking.” Then she shrugged. “And as for the other part, I do it because of whatever charity it benefits. Ollie was always huge on giving back—he hated his father’s extravagant way of life. In my own way, I do it to honor Ollie. The rest I do to get along…for now.”
I grabbed the wine and refilled my glass as I thought about what she had told me, trying not to sound curt when I spoke. “How long do you think you have to atone for something that wasn’t your fault?”
She looked at me, frowning in thought. “I will never atone. My monetary debt will be paid in a few years.”
I shook my head, frustration building. “There is no debt. They’ve drummed this into your head for so long, you really believe it. What you should be doing is telling them to fuck off.”
“You sound like Elena.”
“She sounds like a smart woman.”
“So, I do that, and what? Lose my apartment, risk my job, and have to ask someone else for help? It will be done soon enough, and I can move on.”
I shook my head in frustration. I couldn’t understand how she allowed this, but then, I didn’t have years of bullshit drummed into my head. This was Ally’s reality. “You shouldn’t have to be doing any of this.”
She crossed her arms, beginning to look angry. “It’s my life and my choice. Nothing’s going to change it.”
“I want to help you change it,” I retorted. The protective feeling I had when it came to her was unexpected. The desire to have her in my life was paramount, and I wanted her to feel the same way.
“You can’t. This is how it is for me—at least for now.” She shifted, beginning to push herself out of the chair. “I shouldn’t have come here, and I shouldn’t have burdened you with all this. I’m sorry, Adam. I need to go.”
I tugged her back down. I knew if she walked out my door, it was over before it started. She would overthink and make a decision based on even more guilt, instead of going with what she wanted. “No, I don’t want you to.”
“Don’t you get it? I’m still tied to them. Soon, I won’t be. I just have to wait, and then I can move on with nothing holding me back.”
I gaped at her. “You can’t put your life—your happiness—on hold. Jesus, Ally, life moves so fast. You can’t waste it.”
“My mother and Ronald would never approve of you. They would make my life miserable. They would make your life miserable. I’m not worth that aggravation.”
I snorted. “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that.”
“You don’t know how crazy this all is. They constantly push the ‘right’ sort of men my way. Ones they approve of.”
And no doubt, ones who were totally unsuitable to her, I thought in anger, but suited them. It was something else she allowed because she didn’t have the strength to fight them.
But I did.
“And I wouldn’t fall into that category? Because I don’t wear a suit and tie, and I have tattoos? Because I’m not a member of their ‘exclusive club’?” I huffed in exasperation, knowing my voice was edging toward antagonistic.
“Yes.”
“I can hold my own, Ally. I’m not in the same league as your parents, but I assure you, my stock portfolio is impressive. I own this building, my bank account is sizable, and I’m well-known and respected in my world.”
“You’re missing the point—you’re not part of their world.”
I laughed without humor. I despised elitism. “I’m common, you mean?”
“Worse.” She softened the word with a smile. “You’re a wild card.”