“Sophia,” she answers. “You never mentioned that you and she were…”
“It’s a sore subject,” I explain. “She’s the one that might get away because why would she wait for someone broken like me?”
“Do you want to break this up to be with her or because you and I can never be together?”
“Both,” I answer. “Listen, I’m sure you have some amazing qualities underneath the attitude you like to use as a shield. In another life, I might’ve just married you because I had nothing going on for me. Now, even if I didn’t have Sophia, I’m aware that there’s a lot more than what I was told while growing up. I’d be looking for someone who I want to hold close forever. A woman who makes me feel alive, seen, and heard. Someone who loves me truly even when I fuck up because, while I pretend to be perfect, I’m anything but. Lucky for me, I found her. She’s my best friend, my partner, and the love of my life.”
She gives me a sad smile, “I wish someone would say at least a few good things about me, like you just did about her.”
“Listen, I know you think you have it rough, but I think that if you look outside the box there are great things waiting for you.”
“There are,” she assures me. “If you don’t mind, can we go to Sophia’s house? Everyone is there, waiting for us.”
My stomach sinks because this is it. Whatever Sophia has been working on is going to be unveiled today. I agree to go. During our walk, I try to run a few scenarios of what’s waiting for me, but nothing makes sense. I have the feeling that my brothers are involved in this too because Vance and Pierce have been absent the past couple of days working on a special project.
When we arrive at Sophia’s place, I find Pierce, Mr. Parrish, Sophia, and Owen Edelstein, who is pacing around the living room area. When he sees me, he says loudly, “Aldridge, I expect you to control my daughter.”
“Who the fuck do you think you are to yell at me?”
“I am Owen Edelstein, your future father-in-law,” he states.
“Listen, if you want to continue this conversation you need to moderate your voice because I’m not going to tolerate your tone. Now, I don’t have any control over anyone, including your daughter. She can control herself if she thinks she needs to. If not, well, she can do whatever the fuck she wants.”
“Your grandfather and I agreed that it’d be best if you marry her. If you don’t do it, you won’t receive the money I promised,” he threatens me though his voice is less threatening.
“You can keep it,” I suggest. “What makes you think that this scene will make me change my mind?”
What the fuck is Martina thinking? I glare at her and then at Sophia. She shakes her head so lightly no one would notice but me. Okay, she wants me to behave. There’s something happening here, and I better trust her.
“I refuse to sign that document,” he says pointing at the coffee table. “You can get yourself someone else to witness to this nonsense. No one is taking away my company. If this man can’t do what his family demands, that’s not my problem. I’ll sue.”
Grabbing the paper from the table, I realize it’s Martina not wanting to continue the three-month trial. I look at her and then at Sophia.
“Henry, I’ll walk away from this deal today, only if you promise to manage Edelstein Electronics just the way you do with Merkel. Also, by promising to offer me a job once I finish college,” she requests.
Her father laughs, “I said you were cut off after your thirty-second birthday unless you marry him.”
Sophia grabs one of her usual big binders and a drive, handing it to me. “Here are all the financial reports, tax returns, and bank statements for the company and the affiliates. Mr. Everhart is at the offices of Edelstein Electronics, ready to take over the company. However, Ms. Edelstein will only hand you the company if you meet her demands.”
“You can’t do this to me,” her father says. “That is my company.”
She waves a paper and says, “You signed this agreement, practically selling me to this man. If I decide to do things my way, you lose your company. Surprise, Daddy. As my thirty-second birthday present from me to you, I am leaving you without a cent. Let’s see how you and my dear brothers manage.”
I look at Pierce who shrugs and says, “It’s legal, and you don’t lose anything.”
Scanning through the document, I see that she’s asking to recover part of the company in ten years, or, if she decides to do something else with her life, to pay her half the value of said company. Whatever is better for her at that time. I shake my head and that’s when my phone buzzes.
I want to ignore it, but I see that Sophia is texting.
Sophia: Take it as it is. She doesn’t want to own it now. She’s afraid they might try to force her to give it back. We can see the options on how to compensate her later. For now, give her the power she needs.
“Is this what you want?” I ask Martina.
She smiles and answers. “Yes, if you don’t mind giving me a salary so I can pay for school. I’ll use my trust fund for my expenses. Sophie is teaching me how to budget.”
“Then let’s do it,” I agree and sign the contract they gave me.
“Your grandfather would be disappointed in you,” Owen says in such a way that for a second, I’m afraid of what Cyril would think.
“I loved the old man, but I’m disappointed in him for trying to dictate my life. This should be a lesson to you and your sons. Stop playing with your children’s lives, but I guess there’s no point in saying it when you have lost your company.”
“Surely you don’t think this is legal,” he changes his tone. “What kind of man just snatches a legacy out of an entire family?”
“I wonder what you’d have done if I was the one dissolving this,” I ask.
“Well—”
“He was already planning on how to split Merkel,” Martina interrupts him.
“Shut up. You don’t know what you are talking about. I raised you, you owe me, and this is how you repay me?”
She signs the paper just as Blaire and Leyla arrive to sign as witnesses. Pierce calls Everhart who has a security team at Edelstein Electronics ready to escort the main executives out of the premises. They shut down the system and freeze the bank accounts in case anyone tries to touch anything. It’s all so well coordinated and executed I’m in awe. I glance at Sophia who has a wide smile on her face.
“You can’t do this to me,” Edelstein protests, and that’s when Vance appears with Julian.
“Sir, your business in this town has been terminated. If you don’t mind, we’re going to escort you to the airport.”
The moment he’s gone Martina rushes to hug Sophia and says, “We did it! Look,” she shows her a shaky hand, “I’m so pumped but afraid. But we did it.”
“You did it,” Sophia reassures her. “You should be proud of yourself. As I said, he gave you power without even thinking because he thought he had you under his control.”
“Never again,” Martina states.
“Ladies, this is all great, but what the fuck just happened?” I ask.