Chapter 22
With concern in his face, Wyatt reached out to Sloan, but she slapped his hand away. “Wyatt, I’m warning you–Brielle is everything to met If you dare hurt her, I swear I’ll never forgive you!”
“I never want to hurt her, Sloan, I just wanted to spend some time with her. She’s my daughter too…” Wyatt’s voice was frantic as he tried to explain
Sloan’s expression turned cold. “She’s not your daughter. She has nothing to do with you. We cut ties three years ago! I told you back then–if you betrayed me, we would be over for good. If you ever really cared about me and Brielle, you wouldn’t have done those disgusting things. Just looking at you makes me sick. Don’t ever come near us again!
With that, Sloan spun around and walked away without looking back.
Wyatt panicked and grabbed the hem of her shirt. “Let go!” Sloan flinched and yanked herself free. “Are you going to humiliate me like you did last night?”
“No… Last night, I thought you’d forgiven me. That’s why I tried to get close to you–I didn’t know it would scare you.” A bitter smile tugged at his lips. “Sloan, I know I hurt you. I know don’t deserve to face you or Brielle. But, I can’t just let you go. I swear I’ll change. Just give me a chance–just one.. Please… let me make things right.”
Sloan’s face remained emotionless. “It’s too late. You’re dead to me a long time ago.”
Wyatt stood there, frozen, as she walked away. A sharp, choking pain rose in his chest and tears blurred his vision.
It was too late. He had lost Sloan for good. She wouldn’t even give him the chance to fix things. She didn’t love him anymore. He had destroyed her heart completely.
Wyatt couldn’t believe it. He had always thought that if he just apologized sincerely enough, Sloan would eventually forgive him and they’d get back together.
But if she didn’t love him anymore… then what was he supposed to do?
The harsh truth hit him like a hammer. His mind reeled and his stomach twisted painfully. He stumbled and collapsed to the ground, clutching his abdomen as the pain sharpened. His body curled inward as he gasped, helpless against the wave of agony tearing through
him.
After bringing Brielle home, Sloan couldn’t hold back her frustration.
“Didn’t I tell you not to talk to strangers? How could you let him take you? Do you have any idea how worried I was?”
Brielle’s ice cream had already fallen to the ground, forgotten. Her big eyes were swollen and red from crying. “I just wanted some ice cream,” she whispered. “I’ve never had it before. My friend said it was really good. I’m sorry, Mommy. I didn’t mean to upset you.” Sloan’s anger melted away in an instant. Brielle had always been fragile since birth due to complications during delivery. Sloan had been strict with her diet to protect her delicate health–carefully balancing fruits and vegetables, never allowing junk food like ice cream.
How could she stay angry at the daughter she had nearly died giving birth to?
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and red from crying Tjust wanted some ice cream, she whispered. ive never nao m before. My friend said it was really good. I’m sorry Mommy I didn’t mean to upset your Sloan’s anger melted away in an instant. Brielle had always been fragile since birth due to complications during delivery. Sloan had been strict with her diet to protect her delicate health–carefully balancing fruits and vegetables, never allowing junk food like ice cream.
How could she stay angry at the daughter she had nearly died giving birth to?
Sloan sighed and knelt down, gently wiping Brielle’s tears with a tissue. “It’s okay. sweetheart. I shouldn’t have yelled”
She kissed Brielle’s forehead and stroked her hair. “But next time, you have to tell me first, okay? If someone takes you away you might never see me again.”
Brielle’s lip trembled as she nodded and wrapped her little arms around Sloan’s neck. Sloan held her close, feeling Brielle’s heart hammering against her chest
When Tristan arrived and heard what had happened, his expression darkened. His jaw tightened as his eyes turned cold.
“Sounds like the Finleys have too much time on their hands,” he said coolly, I think it’s time I give them something to keep them busy.”
Soon after, a storm swept through the Rainmere business world. Several companies tied to the Finleys were suddenly thrown into crisis–financial setbacks, operational failures and strategic disruptions hitting them all at once.
Whispers and complaints spread quickly among the business elite.
