Chad came back to his senses and loosened his grip.
He waved Nick off irritably. “Go. Talk to my assistant about your terms.”
His men hurried up and haled Nick out. I stepped forward. “Wait. What do you mean by that?”
Chad blocked me and clasped his hands down on my shoulders. “Nothing. Come home with me.”
I broke free and rushed over to grab Nick’s shirt. “You want money? I’ll pay. Just explain what you said.”
My heart pounded, panic nearly choking me.
Nick brushed off his restraints, looking past me to Chad. “Last month, while I begged for your investment, I figured some things out. Ten years proved I’m no businessman. Every venture was a bust. When I heard you two were divorcing, I let it all go. The
world has got another free soul, but Heather won’t come back.”
He stared at me and spoke seriously. “The night before their engagement, Chad knew Heather was running away. In fact, he arranged her escape and even… the plane ticket.”
An echo swirled in my ears, pulling me back to ten years ago. Through a door, I heard my parents groveling to Chad.
“Why not move up the wedding? We didn’t specify which girl to marry off anyway.”
There was a moment of silence before Chad’s cold voice came through. “Make it quick. I don’t want the Caldwells‘ name to be
dragged down like yours.”
Nick laughed out loud. “You schemed to marry her, so what? The ten years turned her into a laughingstock in Aurespring.”
Having my shame laid bare, I wanted to sink into the floor. Still, I didn’t get why Chad had chosen to help Heather escape.
“Why? Why did you let her go and come after us?” I demanded, looking at Chad.
His lips pressed together, and his fists clenched on his sides. After a long pause, he snorted, “The one I loved wasn’t her. Your parents got it wrong, using Heather as a bargaining chip. I went to your house over and over. Heather and I always included you, but you never looked at me.”
His voice carried a hint of sadness. I thought I misheard it.
His fists unclenched, and he stared at me. “I set Heather free and got to marry you. But I knew you were never willing. Heather’s death and your family’s schemes stood between us.”
I gave a bitter smile. What stood between us was more than that.
Nick stepped forward, pulling a yellowed envelope from his coat. “This is from Heather, for you. If she had made it ten years ago,
1/2
Chapter 5
this would have reached you.”
The envelope was singed. Inside were two expired ticket stubs. A small note held Heather’s neat handwriting.
[Grace, be brave like me, and you’ll find happiness.]
Chad’s eyes dimmed. He snatched it, then stared at me in disbelief.
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