Chapter 6

I stare at the flame hovering over my cake, then turn to look at the man holding it. I take a breath and think about what I really want. Julian lied to me and chose another woman. I don’t want him back. I don’t deserve to be treated like that, and I don’t want to be with someone who clearly doesn’t care about me.

What do I want? I want to be happy. I want to have just enough money to live comfortably without worrying all of the time. I don’t want to work sixty hours a week and spend every day exhausted. I want friends and family who love me and who don’t lie and use me. I just want things to be better. So, I close my eyes and make my wish. That things would just get better.

Adrian’s smile is a little sad as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a business card. “If you ever need anything, give me a call.”

I frown at the card. I don’t need charity, and money can’t fix everything. His son cheated and lied to me. He isn’t going to solve that issue by throwing money at it. Does he think he can pay me to ignore it? Be one of those women who turns a blind eye to their partner’s indiscretions. That’s not going to happen.

“Sorry, but I’m not interested.” I roll my eyes at him. “Don’t bother. I won’t be calling you.”

“Why not?” He keeps the card held out. “Why scoff at the opportunity for help.”

I give him an unimpressed look. “I can take care of myself just fine, and no offense, but you are one of the last people I should be asking for help.”

A dawn of realization hits his expression, and I realize I’ve said too much.

“I understand.” He nods. “Coming to Julian’s father might complicate some things for you. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for the part I played in all of this.”

Words leave me as I gape at Adrian. He knows and he’s sorry? I used him to get back at his son, and he’s apologizing to me? Granted he is the one who pushed Julian to break up with me, but that’s beside the point. He should be angry with me. Instead, he just looks regretful.

I clear my throat and put the blame where it belongs. “Julian has been lying to me about everything from day one. He’s the one who chose another woman and left me. That’s not your fault and there’s nothing you can do to fix it.”

He just nods at me, still holding the business card.

“Thank you.” I finally say.

“For what?” He asks.

“The birthday wish.” I force a half smile.

He smiles back and rises to go, but before he does, he sets his card down on my lap. “Keep that. You might need it sometime. There’s no expiration date.”

Speechless, I hold the card gingerly in my hand and watch him go.

I’m still staring down at it, when I hear frantic steps and an urgent, “There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

I shove the card in my pocket and look up to see Julian rushing toward me. “You found me.” I say regretfully.

It’s really not a good time to see him. The urge to shove him into traffic is a little too tempting. It’s a good thing I have enough self-awareness to know I wouldn’t do well in prison.

“Where have you been?” Julian asks, a little out of breath.

I’m definitely not answering that question, so I deflect with one of my own. “Tell me, Julian. Was it funny?”

He gives me a confused look. “Was what funny?”

“Playing with me.” I snap. “Was it a fun time leading me on and letting me believe you care about me?”

“I do care about you!” He reaches for me, and I quickly lean back away from him. If he touches me right now, I don’t know that I won’t be able to resist smacking him across the face. And we’re in public, so that would definitely cause a scene.

“Julian, you’ve been lying to me since the day we met.” I insist. “I know who you are and who your father is.”

Julian goes a little pale and panic fills his eyes. “Lily, please. Let me explain.”

I sigh heavily and wait.

“Yes, my father is Adrian Whitmore.” He says his father’s name with such disdain that I finally meet his eyes. “I left the day I turned eighteen. I rarely speak to him. He’s my father in name only. He even tried to trap me in some political marriage, and I despise him for it. I want nothing to do with the man. I swear it hasn’t all been a lie.”

“How?” I ask incredulously. “Julian, you’re the only son of a billionaire. That’s a pretty big secret to keep.”

“It’s not my money, it’s his.” Julian’s eyes go hard. “He’s the reason my mother died. I want nothing to do with him, his money, or the inheritance. For all I care, every bit of it can burn. I won’t touch a dime.”

He says it with such hatred, I have no choice but to believe him. “I swear, I didn’t mean to lie to you. I care about you. It’s just that the money has never been an option for me, so I’ve never brought it up.” He insists, his eyes a little softer. I can still see the fear in his face, like he’s afraid I don’t believe him.

“And what about your other big secret?” I ask. “Vanessa. Your fiancé?”

As if uttering her name had summoned the demon, the gorgeous woman appeared through the revolving doors to the hotel, making her way down the steps in her three-inch stilettos to where her chauffer waited. She didn’t so much as stagger even though I know she’s indulged in more than her fair share of the party’s wine selection.

Would it be petty of me to hope she tripped on the stairs and fell on her face?

“So, when did I become your fiancé?” Julian calls out to her angrily.

Vanessa stops in her tracks and narrows her gaze at me. “We’ve been practically betrothed since we were teenagers.” She pouts her lips. “Everyone says so. I’ve always known we would be married someday and so does my family as well as the entire community.”

“You’re all wrong.” Julian responds. His voice is hard and rage simmers in his eyes. “Leave and don’t dare to make such assumptions again.”

Vanessa doesn’t argue, though her pout looks a little more genuine now. In fact, she looks a little fearful as she turns and scampers off to her waiting car.

Julian turns back to me. His face loses its anger, and his eyes fill with an urgent pleading. He doesn’t wait for me to say anything before he kneels before me on the stairs and places a hand on the side of my face, the other takes my hand.

“Lily, I swear, there is no one but you. You are my past, my present, and my future. You are my entire world, and I don’t know what I would do without you. Please believe me, I don’t want anyone but you.”

Maybe I’m just gullible, but I believe him. He’s looking at me like I have the power to break his heart in the next moment and leave him in pieces.

Still, I don’t respond. I’m not sure why, but I’m nervous that I’m being too forgiving. All of the lies he’s told still linger in my mind.

Yet, the way he’s clutching my hand, and the fear in his eyes says that what he is saying is true.

He looks down at the untouched cake in my hand and his face gets a little sadder. “I’m sorry I missed your birthday. I should have been there.”

“Why weren’t you?” I ask. “You canceled and came here instead.”

He looks a little embarrassed. “One of the guests was the lead guitarist for Stone Thrones, the rock band. He never makes public appearances, but I heard he was going to be here tonight, and I wanted to meet him. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

I roll my eyes though a smile tugs at my lips. The man loves his music. I wish he had just told me. I wouldn’t have begrudged him the once in a lifetime chance to meet one of his idols.

His love for music was the reason we met. I was walking home from class, and he was heading back from an album release party at a local record store. I had been accosted by two men in the dark street trying to force me into an alley. Julian saw them and chased them off with a rusty tire iron.

He had been so concerned, making sure I was alright and walking me back to my apartment. We instantly connected, talking about everything from music and movies to plans for the future. From there one date had gone to the next until we became each other’s entire world.

“Let’s go home.” I finally say, taking his hand.

As I stand up, a small white card falls from my jacket pocket.

“What’s that?” Julian asks as I pick it up and shove it back where it came from.

“Nothing.” I answer and walk with my boyfriend back home.

Closing the door to our small apartment, I walk to the bathroom to take a shower. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the card and stand next to the trash, staring at it. I don’t need it. Adrian has no place in our lives.

Yet I stand there, frozen in time, unsure whether to drop it.