“I know where Lexenburg is!” she squeals. “It’s where you guys were visiting the… Holy shit! The castle!”
“Yep, we stepped up to take a picture with the king, who made an unexpected appearance, and there he was.”
“Oh my God. So, he knows?”
I spend the next twenty minutes telling her everything that’s happened in the last… well, damn, it’s only been less than twenty-four hours, yet it feels like it’s been days, maybe even weeks. Being with Liam does that to me—forces me to lose all track of time. When we’re together, it’s like the entire world disappears and time means nothing.
When I get done telling her everything, she asks, “Does this mean you guys are going to move there?” Her question is tinged with a hint of sadness and I know how she feels. As happy as I am to have found Liam, being with him will mean leaving Florence and the small family we’ve created there.
“We haven’t discussed it yet, but I don’t think the king can move.”
“No,” she agrees. “Well, damn.”
“We’ll be back in a few weeks. Even if it’s just to get our stuff… And we can visit, and you can visit us.”
“Yeah, of course,” she says. “It’s just, I’m going to miss you…”
“Me too.” We’ve spent the last six years practically joined at the hip. Our kids think they’re cousins instead of merely friends. I’m going to miss living down the street from them, but this is Liam—Jasmine’s father and the man I fell in love with all those years ago and never fell out. It’s all happening so fast, but he was right about what he said last night. We missed out on a lot and have a lot of making up to do.
We talk for a few more minutes, and once we hang up, I jump in the shower. After blow-drying my hair and getting dressed, I head out to find Liam and Jasmine. The part of the estate he lives in is huge and has what feels like a million halls, so when I turn the corner, one I could’ve sworn I already turned, I realize I’m lost.
As I’m pulling out my phone to call him, I run into someone. “I’m so sorry…” I say, glancing up to see… What was her name?
“Stephanie,” she finishes. “I’m glad I ran into you. I was looking for you. We need to talk.”
Her cold tone doesn’t sit well with me, but she’s Liam’s assistant. “Sure.”
She leads me to an office and closes the door behind us. She steps behind a large oak desk and gestures for me to have a seat. When I do, she sits as well, steepling her fingers together.
“Did you know that for the last several decades Lexenburg was the fourth wealthiest country in the world?”
“Actually, it’s the third.” I did my research when planning our trip. I love teaching Jasmine about each place we visit.
“That’s correct. It’s wealthy because of how it’s run. After William took over for his father, making the changes he saw fit, he jumped it up from the fourth to the third wealthiest country. Our unemployment rate is the lowest in the world. Our country is thriving and it’s because of William.”
“That’s amazing,” I tell her slowly, my stomach knotting. I’m not completely sure, but I have a sinking feeling about where she’s going with her factoids.
“The people trust William because he’s honest. He puts them first…”
I nod because I can’t speak with the huge lump forming in my throat.
“Have you ever heard of Gaitos?” she asks. Before I can answer, she continues. “It was the third wealthiest country in the world. Until a scandal with the royal family hit and the country crumbled. Which is exactly what will happen here if you stay.” Her gaze sears into mine. “I know all about you. How you met William…”
I swallow thickly. “That was a long time ago…”
“Doesn’t matter. Did you see Britain’s reaction to Meghan? And she’s not even married to the king.”
She pulls something out and sets it on the desk. A checkbook.
“Really?” I roll my eyes. “Kind of cliché, don’t you think?” This is like a scene from every royal movie on the Lifetime channel.
“Call it whatever you want,” she says. “But I’m merely trying to protect William and this country from you. He isn’t thinking clearly because of his alleged daughter.”
“There’s nothing alleged about her,” I snap. “She’s his.”
Stephanie shrugs. “If you stay and the people find out the mother of his child is a whore, you will taint this family. They will lose their trust in him. It will be the beginning of the end.”
I stand, refusing to listen to another minute of this. “If Liam feels that way, he can tell me himself.”
Stephanie stands as well. “He won’t tell you because he doesn’t want to lose his daughter. You don’t belong here, and you will only disgrace his name and this family. You will ruin everything he’s worked for, everything his family has worked for.”
She steps around the desk and over to me. “If you care about him, you will leave before you destroy this country.”
She extends her hand, which is holding a single check. “It’s blank and signed. You can fill in the amount.”
I back away from her and that check. “I’m not going away until Liam tells me to do so.”
I turn on my heel and exit the room. It takes me several minutes, and a few wrong turns, but I finally find Liam and Jasmine in the kitchen. They’re both eating a stack of pancakes and talking to each other like they’ve known each other forever. I stop in my place before they can see me and watch them for a couple minutes. Liam is telling Jasmine all about the country and the people. I can hear the pride in his voice, see it on his face. I try to push everything Stephanie said from my head, but one thing she mentioned bounces around like a ping pong ball. “He won’t tell you because he doesn’t want to lose his daughter.”
Everything he’s said to me since we reconnected tells me he wants me too—it’s not just about Jasmine. But as a parent, I know I would do anything for my daughter. Even if it meant destroying everyone around me. Can I let him risk that?
“Are you going to stand there and watch us eat or join us for breakfast?” Liam asks, meeting my eyes.
“Good morning.” I step fully into the kitchen.
“Morning.” He looks like he’s dying to come over and kiss me, but he refrains since our daughter is here and we haven’t spoken to her about us yet.
“Morning, Mommy,” Jasmine says around a mouthful of pancakes.
“Here.” He hands me a plate of food. “For you.”
“Thank you.” I smother butter and syrup on them before cutting them up. I take a bite and they’re delicious. Fluffy and flavorful. “So good.”
“Daddy and I made them.” Jasmine beams.
“You did a great job.” I lean over and kiss her temple. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, and this morning Mrs. Evelyn and I picked out everything for my room. It’s going to have a princess bed and a princess couch and a princess rug!”
“That sounds like a whole lot of princess,” I joke. She nods in agreement.