“I want you to hear me out,” he yells back at me. “I was in college when all of this happened. I was humiliated. My father was all over the news, my family was dragged through the mud, and people called me a thief. I was just nineteen. I didn’t have a clue what he was doing.”
I swallow hard, shaking my head as he speaks. “Again, I’m really finding it hard to feel sorry for you. Because you see that?” I point to the oak tree across the creek. “That’s where my father rests. His ashes are under that tree. So I’m sorry your ego was hurt, I’m sorry your name was run through the mud, but my father’s life is under that tree. His best friend and mentor took everything he ever earned—betrayed his friendship in the most vile of ways. My father trusted Jonathan.” My voice breaks. “And he lost everything—every single dime we had. We moved back to North Dakota with literally the clothes on our backs. It destroyed him, Holt. All he ever wanted was to provide for his family. Secure his future—and your father robbed him of everything.” My voice breaks, and I feel the tears pool in my eyes.
I hate this. It’s like I’m reliving it all over again. Why did he have to come back here?
My face goes hard again. “So I’m sorry, Holt. I don’t feel sorry for you.”
He looks desperate, his palms upturned. “I just wanted to make it right. I wanted to right his wrongs.”
A few seconds of silence go by when I ask, “How did you find me? Why couldn’t you just leave my family alone? We’ve been through enough hell to last a lifetime.”
He looks away from me, fixing his eyes on the tree next to us. “I thought I was hiring a little farm girl from North Dakota. I was hoping to help her achieve a dream . . . offer her the life her father wanted. Call it repentance for what my father put your family through. But then you walked into Jackson-Hamilton and rocked my world, Saige. You were sexy and smart and witty; everything I wasn’t expecting. You turned my world upside down. I fell in love with you, and that wasn’t a part of my plan.” He looks back to me, his blue eyes full of hurt.
He pulls his hands from his pockets and runs them through his hair. “I know I should have told you who I really was. But I fell in love with you, and I knew if you found out you’d run.”
“And yet you continued to keep your secret,” I snap at him.
“I did,” he admits, his voice full of regret. “I haven’t spoken to my father in thirteen years. When he walked into my office, it was the first time I’d even seen him since I legally changed my last name to my mother’s maiden name. I’d written him off a long time ago. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see him again. It was easier to keep my lie, because the thought of living without you made me crazy.”
“How many more lies are there?” I snarl at him.
“Saige, don’t . . .” He takes a few steps closer, and I hold out my hand, gesturing for him to stop. He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out an envelope. Looking at it, he sighs and holds it out to me.
“What is it?” I cross my arms over my chest, not trusting him. Clouds have covered the sun, and the afternoon air has moved from chilly to almost cold.
“It’s your last paycheck and a letter of recommendation.” His jaw clenches, his hand visibly shaking as he holds the envelope out toward me.
“A letter of recommendation?” I ask, confused.
He swallows hard, looking sad and defeated. “I made a call to Compass Aeronautical. You have a job waiting for you there. You’re talented, Saige. Don’t throw away your career because you’re angry at me.”
My entire body shakes as the reality of the situation settles on me. He’s letting me go. My breathing quickens, and my heart stammers in my chest. “I don’t need your letter of recommendation—”
He nods. “You’re right, you don’t. Your work speaks for itself.”
I scowl at him. “And I don’t want your money.”
“I understand. I figured you’d say that.” He almost smirks. “For the record, Saige, I built this company from the ground up with my partner. The capital raised was legitimate. Not a penny of it came from my father or any Ponzi scheme.”
I nod at him in understanding as my knees shake and my heart aches in my chest. This will be the last time I see Holt Hamilton. “I think you should leave now,” I say quietly, our eyes locked on each other.
I look into his crystal blue eyes for the last time as he walks toward me, stopping right in front of me. I keep my arms crossed against my chest as a protective barrier, not letting him close. Murphy wags his tail next to me and looks up at Holt.