“Chase said you had mental problems! Before now, I thought you were bratty! You should learn from Lily and treat your family well. Chase
is going to run Sterling. You have to get along with him.”
Lily bruises, not needle marks.
w saw
“Have a doctor check me out.”
Mom snapped, “Don’t be insane! Why can’t you
<
Lily hadn’t figured out that my mom cared.
about money.
9
Jake hadn’t called Britney, he was trying to get
results.
He worked hard.
Then, Iris said yes.
Chase felt threatened.
The president rewarded me and Jake one
percent.
Jake cried, “I’m so happy!”
I praised him.
Britney called.
Г
Jake, you did it! You’re amazing! I knew you
loved me.”
Jake was bummed and looked at me.
I smiled.
Britney sobbed..
“Baby, let’s stop fighting?”
Jake said, “I’m drunk. I’ll call you.”
After the call, Jake was upset.
Three days later, at the gala, Lily brought
Britney.
Britney didn’t cause problems.
She looked at Jake with sad eyes, making him
feel soft.
<
After the gala, Britney cried, “Jake!”
Jake ran to her and hugged her.
The car drove away.
I stood there alone, cold..
Lily laughed.
“What’s wrong, sis? Should I give you a ride?”
I smiled at Chase.
Lily paled.
Chase looked past her and gave me his coat.
“Go home.”
Lily left.
Chase smiled.
<
“I’ll take you home.”
“Sure.”
10
In the car, Chase was nice to me.
I remembered the last time, he had been nice,
but he wanted to take all my money.
Like now, he wanted my business smarts and
my shares.
When I got out, Chase said, “Your brother isn’t good enough. Let me take care of you.”
I said, “He made a mistake. I’ll wait.”
Chase looked mad.
“I understand.”
<
Three days later, Jake said, “I was drunk! How
did you get home?”
I stared at him.
“Sorry. I missed work. I won’t again.”
I shook my head.
“I messed up! Where did you go?”
“Your brother took me.”
“What? He’s our enemy! Be careful!”
“We’re both doing it for Sterling.”
Jake looked guilty.
“I
gave Britney the shares, she was promised.”
I knew it.
<
I wondered what Chase would do.
Then, Chase texted.
Let’s have lunch.
Jake said, “Sorry, I should have asked. We did
that together.”
