He stood still and listened, allowing his anger to build.
“Maybe you can take the rental agreement from the owner. We can then make it impossible for her to pay, and she’ll have no choice but to come begging us. I mean, what does a little fabric shop make?” This came from one of his sisters, a little chuckle to her voice.
“She owns the building outright. There are no landlords or banks. I’ve already looked into it,” his father said. “All of her properties are owned by her. I’ve checked into each and every one.”
“So, she does have a business head on her,” William said.
“Oh, please, William. She is a simple commoner, and I don’t want her anywhere near Jared. The feckless boy. He doesn’t even begin to understand these people.”
He’d heard enough. Jared stepped into the dining room. “These people?” he asked, looking at his family. “You know, most parents would be so fucking happy that the woman he intends to spend the rest of his life with turned you down. There’s no price on her head, but instead, you’re looking for ways to destroy her.”
“How dare you speak like that here, Jared. Please, know your manners,” his mother said.
He burst out laughing. “Seriously? Manners? You call the woman I love a simple commoner. You insult her and look for ways—” He stopped, pressing his lips together.
“There is no way you could love that woman, Jared. I’ve seen her pictures and believe me, she isn’t anything special. Now pull up a seat and we’ll stop talking about this nonsense.” His father pointed at a chair for him to take.
Jared stared at his family.
None of them saw anything wrong with what they were doing. How they lived. He guessed, to many, they had a dream life. He shook his head.
“This is going to be the last time I come here. I know what’s happening at the company, Dad, so I’m only going to say this once. I love Meredith Shaw. We’re already trying for a baby, and I’m going to build a family with her. She’s everything I ever wanted in a woman and so much more. If you, or my brothers, or sisters, or mother, or any kind of association with the Peltzer empire try to hurt her in any way, I will make it my personal mission to ruin you. I have the power and the ability.”
His father stood. “Jared.”
He shook his head again. “You always told me I was different. Well, guess what, I am, because I’m in love with Meredith and this isn’t the family I want to be part of.”
Without another word, he turned his back and left his family home for the last time. He’d always hoped his parents would change, but he realized they were far too different. After climbing into his car, he pulled out of the long driveway. He wasn’t sad, but free. He’d never felt this way.
If his parents tried to attack, he’d deal with them. They weren’t going to ruin what he’d started to create with Meredith. Driving back through the city, he passed her shop. He pulled up outside to stare at the building. The file his PI had acquired him had told him the deal Meredith had gotten. The warehouse had belonged to a much older man who’d held on to it for sentimental reasons. He’d turned down so many offers from corporations who wanted to knock it and the surrounding buildings down to build a small mall.
He’d never sold. Meredith had come and had shown the man her vision. He’d lowered his price and made the deal, helping her in the process.
Jared had already reached out to the man who was enjoying a nice, long retirement in a beach house, and had even refused the extra money. His woman didn’t realize it, but her big heart had won people who had helped her to see her dream. She was also the key to his dream, and he only hoped she was willing to take the leap with him.
****
Meredith hadn’t cooked herself a Sunday lunch ever. Being alone, she’d always had pasta or a pie, or something else she’d fancied on the day.
As she placed the potatoes on the table, she looked toward the clock and saw it was getting closer to when Jared said he’d be home.
He’d gone out for a last-minute meeting, leaving her alone in his apartment.
She rubbed her hands together to try to heat them up. The food was all on the table. She’d poured him a generous glass of wine, while she had water. Even though the test said she wasn’t pregnant, she didn’t want to risk having any wine in case she was actually was.
Sitting down at the table, she took a sip of her water and stared at the clock.
Time ticked on by.