My Dad's Rival

Maybe he really is hoping that we can fix this.

But this is the problem. There’s nothing to fix. Because once he learns of how I deceived him, he’s going to want nothing to do with me. I’m a spy in his company, after all. He doesn’t know who my dad is yet, but once he does, he’ll see that he’s been played. And who would ever want to be with a woman who is so sneaky and conniving?

The rest of my day is spent worrying about the meeting with Wyatt. What is he going to say to me? Am I going to be able to walk away a second time? Will I have the guts to tell him why I’m here in the first place? My heart plummets in my chest. I know that I don’t deserve a second chance, and yet I’m praying for it. I’m praying that he’s going to tell me that he doesn’t care what my original intentions were. Because the thing is, my desire to give information to my dad went out of the window the moment I met Wyatt.

I never would have told my dad anything. I realized right from the beginning that I could never betray Wyatt like that.

But I still kept up the lie. I still didn’t tell my dad or Wyatt what was really on my mind. I failed them both. And now I have to admit that to Wyatt. Only then will I know where I truly stand with him.

I’m hoping for a miracle, that Wyatt won’t be angry with me…but even if he finds it in himself to forgive me, we can still never be together. Not while my dad walks this earth. It’s the one thing I could ever do that my dad would never forgive me for. Being with his biggest rival would be a kick in the teeth for him, and I know better than to dream of things that will never be.

The end of the day is drawing near. I compose myself for the hardest conversation I’m ever going to have to have. I’m going to have to truly bare myself, leave all my cards on the table. And when I’m done, I’m going to be a broken woman.

As an intern, I’m cycling around the office and my last task of the day was on the bottom floor of the building. I take the stairs up to the top of the building. Endless flight after endless flight of stairs…it’s like a punishment. I want to feel a little of the pain that I’m causing everyone else around me with my actions. This will be a lesson I can learn from. Maybe I can become a better person when this is all done with…

Maybe.

When I come face to face with Wyatt’s office door at exactly five pm, I take a deep breath and approach cautiously. I don’t feel ready for this. But I don’t think I was ever going to be ready…but I have to do this.

I knock on Wyatt’s door.

“Come in,” his voice calls out gruffly. I take another deep breath and let myself into his office. His head is bowed as he sits behind his desk. I hate seeing him like this, knowing that I’m the cause of his pain and misery. I never wanted to be this person. I never wanted to hurt the man I care so deeply for. But it’s done now. I can’t take it back.

I just have to be honest.

“Thank you for coming,” Wyatt says, barely able to meet my eye as I sit down opposite him.

I’m trembling.

“I just…first off, I want to apologize for leaving the way I did. But I had my reasons, I swear.”

Wyatt’s face is creased into a frown. “I’d be interested to know what those reasons are, Lucy. Did I…did I do something to hurt you? If I did, I could never forgive myself.”

“No! No, it’s nothing you did, I swear. You’re such a good man, Wyatt. I’m the one who did a bad thing,” I whisper. How could he think it was he who did something wrong when he’s been nothing but kind to me.

He stares at me, waiting for an explanation, but words desert me.

He takes a deep breath before going on. “You’ve been holding something back from me haven’t you?”

I nod slowly.

He sighs. “I could tell all along. Whatever it is, Lucy, I don’t care. I don’t care what it is. I want to be with you no matter what.”

“I don’t think you’re going to feel the same way when I tell you what I’ve been holding back,” I whisper. Wyatt sinks back in his seat. I hate how distressed he looks. I hate even more that I’m about to make it worse.

“Then tell me what’s on your mind. Because I can’t work it out,” Wyatt growls softly. I can tell he’s still willing to give me a chance. He wants me to have an explanation for all this. But the explanation almost certainly isn’t going to be what he expects, and he’s definitely not going to like it.