Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 67510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Aires
I couldn’t get over her clingy dress, accentuating all the curves of her petite body. Once she stood in front of me, she smiled, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“You feel good in my arms, Bay.”
“You don’t feel so bad yourself. How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine.”
“You keep saying that.”
I changed the subject. “How do you make a black dress look this good?”
“Do you like my dress?”
“I’ll like it more on my bedroom floor.”
“That’s quite presumptuous of you,” she teased. “What will your parents think if we sleep in the same room?”
“Gorgeous, I’m a grown-ass man.”
“And what a man you are.” She smiled. “But I still want to be respectful in their home.”
“Aires.” My father interrupted us, much to my disapproval. “We’re ready to read the will.”
I nodded, looking over at Bailey. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere, okay?”
I sensed she wanted to come with me. However, she reluctantly agreed instead.
On our way to the office, my father informed me, “You know your grandfather, there’s going to be conditions for your inheritance.”
I didn’t say a word, mostly because I knew what I had to do, and there wasn’t anyone who would change my mind. Luckily, his office wasn’t far from the room where I left Bailey. I couldn’t help but remember how many times I played in his office as a child while my father and grandfather talked business.
His attorney didn’t waste any time, but I was still the last person he addressed. “Nicolas Aires III, your grandfather has left you—”
Before he could continue any further, I interrupted. “I forfeit my inheritance.”
The expression on my old man’s face was enough of a reward for me. Along with everyone else in the office with us.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he bit.
“Did I stutter?” I gestured to the room. “Everyone heard me, right? Or would you like me to repeat myself?”
They all nodded, and I looked back at my father, whose glare was throwing daggers at me.
In a high-pitched tone, he spewed, “Are you high?”
“Quite the contrary. I’ve never been sounder of mind.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying… I advise you to get your shit together, or I’m going to have to—”
“Mr. Rolof,” I announced, sending the email from my cell phone. “You’ve just received my letter of renunciation for my inheritance. Thank you for your time.”
With that, I snapped around and left.
I wasn’t surprised when I heard my father say, “This is fucking bullshit!”
I sympathized with him, experiencing firsthand how it feels like to get fucked by his own family. My inheritance had always meant more to him than it ever did to me. I didn’t need the money, and this was the last straw that tied me to him. This was a long time coming, and I was thankful it was finally done and over with.
He had nothing to hold over my head now, and he knew it too. My father was all about control, and the fact that I just cut his cord wasn’t lost on him.
He followed me down the hallway until we were back in the library with Bailey. She didn’t know what I’d done. I didn’t tell anyone. Not even my agent. I didn’t want anyone to try to talk me out of it. I’d made my choice years ago. It was always going to come down to this moment.
It was the only way I could escape his claws on me.
“How dare you betray me like that?”
Bailey gasped, surprised by the turn of events.
“Believe it or not, this isn’t about you,” I countered.
“Then what is it about?”
“It’s about me. I’m doing this for myself and no one else. I don’t need your money. I never did.”
Bailey grabbed my hand, and it caught his glare. “Is this why?” He nodded to her. “Is she the reason you’re turning your back on your family?”
“I’d watch your tone if I were you.”
“Or what?” he snapped. “She’s nothing but the daughter of a drug addict. Is that what you two have in common?”
My fists tightened.
“You don’t eve—” I stepped toward him, but Bailey stepped between us instead.
“My father is more of a man than you’ll ever be,” she argued, standing tall. “You have no idea how lucky you are to have a son like Aires. All he’s ever done is try to prove himself to you, only to be met by your ignorance on how to be a loving father. I feel bad for you. You’ll never get to meet the amazing, generous, loving, and successful man you’ve raised despite your incompetence.”
Before I could give any thought to her defending me, my gaze shifted to my mother, who was suddenly in the room, overhearing everything we said to him. My old man didn’t move. He simply stood there while my mother and I locked eyes. For the first time, I saw something in them that I’d never seen.