“It’s me. I didn’t mean to skirt the truth about that, but after what you shared with me the other night, I was terrified to tell you who I was. My trust fund is what funds the center. My parents aren’t pleased about it, but because of the way they set things up for me when I was younger, they have no say in what I do with the money. I didn’t need it, but I knew some kids who did. That’s why I started it.”
“I don’t really know what to do with all this information.”
“Sofia I...”
“Sit down,” Dante growled from the other room as Ozzie went to stand and go to her.
“Is there more?”
“No... well, not really. I’m sure you put two and two together that my family knows about you, and they aren’t pleased. I want you to know that their opinion means nothing to me. You are not your father, just like I’m not mine. Micah has done a lot of work clearing your family name, but my parents are old money assholes who never change their mind about things. I know Corsetti Financial is a good firm. Years ago, I had even considered investing with them.”
“So you know about my father?”
“Just the rumors. Nothing real.”
Ozzie watched as Sofia stared at the table between them. At the mention of her father and her family name, she lowered her head and wouldn’t look at him. When she did finally look up, her gaze met with Dante’s.
“I think I’m ready to go now.”
She stood as Dante picked up her bag and walked toward her.
“Sofia wait, please, you have to believe me.”
“I believe you, Ozzie. I’m just not sure I can forgive you.”
He stood there paralyzed by her parting words as her cousin put his arm around her shoulder and ushered her out of the room. When the door clicked behind her, the last strings holding his heart together broke and rage filled him. He picked up the chair he had been sitting in and threw it against the wall. How could he have fucked up something so good, so badly? He wasn’t any better than his shitty father was. The last couple of weeks all he did was lead Sofia on, lead her to believe he was just a normal guy, like she was just a normal girl. The truth was, neither of them were normal. They both had fucked-up pasts that surrounded them with lies. She was the brightest thing he had in his life, and without even trying, he had snuffed out her light. He needed to give her time, let her be with her family. It would give him the time he needed to get back to Miami and formulate a plan to get her back. As much as he wanted to run after her in that moment, she deserved more from him. This was her brother’s wedding weekend, and he had already done enough damage.