I got to my feet and buttoned up my suit. “I look forward to your decision on the matter.”

Aurora grabbed my hand before I could leave. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I hope you find someone who makes you happy.” I pulled my hand out of hers and walked out of the restaurant.

The weight on my shoulders felt like they were lifted. I pulled out my phone to call Allison. She needed to know what was going on, plus I needed to know if she was going to make it back for the dinner I hoped to have with my parents to discuss my relationship with Fiona.

Liam opened the door for me when I got to the car. I offered him a smile and slipped in while Allison answered the call.

“I just got done talking with Aurora and her parents.”

“Attaboy,” Allison said, and I could hear the excitement in her voice. “Finally. Do you think they will get the memo now?”

“I told them to pull out of the company if they deem it fit, but I absolutely will not be having this conversation with them again. So, I think they will let it go.”

“Good for you, I’m so happy for you. And Fiona?”

“She’s scared I’m going to leave the CEO position, and I’m scared I’m going to lose her if I don’t do something fast.”

“She does love you, you know that right?”

I grinned so wide that it was hard to reel it in enough to answer my sister. “Aurora said she tried to get Fiona to talk to me for her, but Fiona told her she was in love with me.”

I can even hear the smile in my voice. Allison laughed out loud, and I grinned even wider. I was that happy.

Chapter Nineteen

Fiona

Islowed down to a stop when I realized the figure I was looking at was actually Mason. He was dressed in a suit and standing in front of the house I now know belonged to his ex-wife.

Instead of walking past him like usual, I stood next to him and watched the house, too. He turned to look at me, but didn’t say anything because I didn’t look away from the house to acknowledge him. We didn’t get along well, but Christian has been kind enough to tell me it had nothing to do with me.

The sky was starting to take a tinge of orange, and any time soon, Christian would be coming to my house to drive me to dinner with his parents. I wasn’t sure how that was going to go, but I was terrified.

It was nice to see someone who was feeling the exact same thing I was feeling. The man who lived in the house with Cherie, the ex-wife, has not been around for a while. I knew because I’ve been keeping close tabs on the house.

Mason let out a sigh, but his eyes never left the house. “I have no idea what to say.”

“I think she would appreciate the truth.”

“What if she is well over it? I wouldn’t blame her; it’s been seven years. I honestly have no idea what I’m doing here, but Christian has put this idea in my head, and I can barely get a shut eye because I keep thinking what if.”

“Christian says you have daughters.”

“Two of them,” Mason replied with a ghost of a smile.

“Well, I’m sure that your honesty will pay for something. You might get your children back even if you don’t get your wife back. It’s not like she’s married to the man, right?”

Mason nodded. “It’s not like she’s married to the man.”

We both went quiet.

“Christian tells me you’re having dinner with his parents tonight.”

I nodded in response. “I’m terrified about what the outcome would be. I love Christian, and I don’t want to lose him, but I don’t want him to lose being the company’s CEO. He’s worked too hard for this.”

“I’m going to say something that will sound very hypocritical, but deal with it. Christian is willing to make the sacrifice for you because he believes you’re the one for him. If you have any doubts, now would be the best time to let him know.”

He looked over to me, and I quickly shook my head. Mason returned his eyes back to the house.

“Good. All you need to start thinking is that you’re worthy of being the one he chooses. That’s all. He loves you; you love him. That’s all that is supposed to matter in this scenario.”

I nodded. I could do that.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go and try my hands at getting my family back.”

“Good luck.”

Mason offered me a smile, and I stood long enough to see him knock on the door and get invited in. I wore a smile on my face before turning and walking to my house, sparing Christian’s a look before going in.

In a few hours, we were going to be meeting his family, and I was going to believe that I deserved to be with their son. I was going to be as brave as Mason.

****

The dress I ended up wearing was navy blue and came to a stop just below my knees. Allison and I decided upon it. And the entire time, Allison told me to stand my ground to her parents.

“It’s important that you don’t let them scare you, Fiona.”

I’ve heard so many variations of the advice that I was determined to not disappoint any of them.

The necklace, paired with the navy blue dress, was made of white pearls that Christian had gotten for the occasion. The shoes were also white. I looked elegant when I stared at myself in the mirror. I couldn’t help but feel a little bit overdressed. It felt like we were going to a ball or some overly formal event.

The bell to the apartment rang through, and I stood frozen, watching my reflection in the mirror.

“You look wonderful, Fiona,” Allison’s voice came from the speaker, pulling me out of my head. I looked over at her on the screen with a smile as the bell rang again. “Don’t keep my brother waiting. It’ll be fine. Speak to you later.”

I nodded, and walked out of the living room, clutching the accompanying white purse. I opened the door to find Christian in a navy blue suit. I couldn’t hide the grin on my face.

“You look beautiful,” Christian said, taking my hand. I blushed to the floor before replying.

“You look handsome, too.”

Liam smiled at me as we approached the car. He opened the door to let us in, and I smiled at him, too. I hoped to the heavens that it would go well, as Liam pulled out of the compound and into the street. Christian held my hand, rubbing his thumb in a circular motion all around the back of my hand.

****

The dining table was quiet save for the sound of the cutlery touching the plates. I couldn’t tell how the food tasted because I was anxious. And it didn’t help that the other occupants of the table kept eating like they didn’t know why we were there.