“Like I said, I’ll take whatever market value is for this place and be on my way.”
A wave of nausea rolled through Grace. She leaned on the counter. “That’s not happening.”
“Fine. My lawyer only gets paid if I do, so even if I get nothing, I win. Your name won’t be in any more fancy magazines after this.”
Her stomach dropped. “Why are you like this?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It didn’t have to be like this,” Grace said.
“You’re right. Itdoesn’thave to be like this. You’re always talking about choices. Now you have to make one. Give me my house or give me my money. Borrow it from your boyfriend if you have to. It’s pocket change to him.”
“You’re not getting anything from me or from Noah. You don’t deserve anything. From anyone.”
Tammy stepped closer until she was in Grace’s personal space. The hard look in her eyes was all too familiar.
“Life doesn’t always give you what you deserve. You need to learn that lesson. As your mother, I ought to be the one to teach you. What do you want more: me out of your life or a life with that man? Because I’m pretty sure my presence alone could mess that up. Even if it doesn’t—and make no mistake, there are plenty of ways it could—your career will take a hit when I contact the media, when you’re dragged through the mud. Social media is a beautiful thing, my girl. I can reach out to any news outlet with a simple post. Tag Noah’s name to it? That’s got gold mine written all over it.”
Grace pushed off the counter. “I wanted to understand why you were this way but it doesn’t matter. None of it matters. I can’t go back. I won’t. You aren’t worth the fight and you sure as hell aren’t worth the attention. You’re nothing to me. You have no idea what family, loyalty, or love mean. But I’ll get you your money. It’ll come with an NDA and an agreement that you never darken my doorstep again.”
It hurt, saying the words, but it also healed. She didn’t want to give her the money and had no idea where she’d get it, but she wanted to protect Noah more.
“Whatever it takes.” Tammy gave a self-satisfied smile.
“Get out. You can come back tomorrow morning and that’ll be the last time I see you.”
She shrugged it off like she was devoid of human emotions. “Fine. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
Grace laughed bitterly as Tammy turned to leave the kitchen.
“That’s the first time you’ve ever said those words and meant them.”
Her mother didn’t even reply. Which was fine. Grace was done listening.
44
Grace felt like she’d put caffeine right into her veins. She couldn’t control her jerky movements as she paced her house. Noah had phoned a record number of times but she needed to close this chapter of her life before she could go to him. She’d texted and told him to just give her until this afternoon.
After Tammy left yesterday, she’d showered off the visit, gone to the bank, and taken a loan against her home. With a check in hand, she’d drafted up the papers for her mother to sign and had them checked by the same lawyer who helped her with Noah’s contract.
Now she just needed her mother to show the hell up so she could send her packing. Her stomach rolled like a ship in a stormy sea. When her phone buzzed again, she checked it, frowning.Noah.She missed him, wanted her arms around him, but not yet.Soon.
“Where the hell are you?” She went to the window to stare outside. Tammy wasn’t known for punctuality, but with money on the line, Grace would have bet on her being on time. Her brain spun with possibilities: She was in an accident, she had a change of heart, she found a guy and forgot time completely.
When she saw Noah crossing his yard, heading for her place, her stomach cramped. Her body tensed. She needed to do this alone. It would be so easy to fall into his arms, curl into him, but she needed to draw on her own strength to prove to herself she could.
“He didn’t take you to New York to face his father.” He had his own demons. She could deal with hers.
She met him at the door, opening it before he could knock or come in. The relief that crossed his features when he saw her was echoed in her heart.
“Gracie. I’m going crazy.”
She walked into his open arms, returned his embrace, and breathed him in. “I told you, I just needed some time. This is almost over.”
Noah pulled back, and they went into her house. He shut the door, looked at her with furrowed brows. “What’s almost over, baby?”
She shook her head, the tenderness in his tone nearly destroying the dam holding back her tears. “This thing with my mother. It’s not ideal but I’m getting her out of my life. Out ofourlives. For good. She should be here soon.”
