My Family Faked Mom's Death to Stop My Wedding—My Adopted Sister Had My Fiancé's Baby novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: No Favours

"You own my father's debt," I said. "So you're one of them."

"No."

"Then why are you on my stoop?"

Bruce Rayne put his hands in his coat pockets.

"Because tomorrow your father will call me and ask for more time," he said. "I wanted you to hear that from me first."

"How much time does he need?"

"Six weeks."

I laughed, and it came out sharp.

"Six weeks for what?"

"He didn't say." He watched my face. "Your grandmother made me a promise to keep. I'll keep it. If you want me to call the loan today, tell me, and nine hundred people at Benedetti Foods find out by Friday."

"That's not an offer."

"It's the only one I've got."

I stood on my own step and understood that every adult in my life had a lever and a reason.

"I don't want your help," I said. "Or your promise. I'll pay for everything I use."

"Ms. Benedetti..."

"No favors, Mr. Rayne. Not a ride, not a lawyer, not a sandwich."

He studied me for a moment.

"Understood," he said, and went down the steps.

At the bottom he turned.

"I left my number with the lawyer. For emergencies only."

"I don't have emergencies."

"You will," he said, and walked away.

I went in, locked the door and slept on the hall floor in my funeral dress.

I woke at six to my phone ringing.

It was the wedding planner.

"Ms. Benedetti, I'm so sorry to bother you. Mr. Prescott called the florist directly this morning from Bermuda. His card was declined."

"Which card?"

"The black one. He tried three. The florist's shipment is already on the island, and he's saying you authorized him."

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