I had never felt more alone than I did at that moment. Even when I’d faced Nina and Levi at the café, I’d known backup was merely a shout away. But here, in this town so far from home, there was nowhere to hide and no one to help me.
I took a breath and reminded myself I was doing this for my mom. She wanted me to know where I came from, so here I was filling in the blank space on my family tree. If it didn’t go well, I never had to see the man again. The thought relaxed me somewhat, and I managed to clamp down my nerves and pull my shoulders back. I pushed away the fleeting doubts that had been fluttering in my stomach and entered the room.
Like the rest of the mansion, Matthew’s office was obscenely large and extravagant. The walls on either side of me were lined with heaving bookcases that stretched up to the high ceiling above. They drew the eye toward large bay windows on the opposite wall that overlooked the perfect gardens beyond. The room smelled of leather and books, and the only sound was the soft scrape of my Converse as I walked toward the mahogany desk that stood proudly in front of the vast window. A man was standing in front of it waiting for me, but it was only when I stopped a few meters from him that I finally allowed myself to lift my gaze.
As our eyes met for the first time, my father’s widened slightly with apparent surprise. He stared at me for a moment, seemingly frozen in place, but with the next blink of his eyes, the shock vanished, and his expression turned stony as he proceeded to look me over. I felt a little like a horse up for auction as he took in every detail of me. His lips twitched with the barest hint of disapproval as he eyed my beaten-up sneakers, and he frowned when he saw the coffee stain on my shirt. I got the distinct impression he was thoroughly unimpressed by me, but Matthew LaFleur was hardly the man I’d expected to meet either, and I was scrutinizing him just as much as he was me.
Matthew was definitely handsome for a guy his age. He had striking blue eyes and angular cheekbones with stubble across his jaw that was perfectly trimmed. His most striking feature was probably his thick head of salt-and-pepper hair, which didn’t have a strand out of place. There also wasn’t a single crinkle in his expensive suit. He was far too polished for my liking. From the shine on his shoes to the controlled expression on his face, it was clear he’d spent years buffing out all of his flaws and held himself with the rigid arrogance of a man who always got what he wanted.
He reminded me of the statues I’d passed out in the corridor. Carefully crafted and proudly displayed with a permanent, planned expression etched on to a cold, stone surface.
My hands twisted as I clasped them behind my back, and I tipped my chin up as I met his stare. I felt like nothing more than a speck of dirt to this man. A grimy smear across his polished marble floors that he wanted swept away. I refused to cower before him though. I hadn’t needed a father in seventeen years, and I didn’t need one now—no matter what my mother might think. Staring at this stranger, I only wished she hadn’t suddenly changed her mind about us meeting.
What was she thinking, sending me here?
“Hello, Isobel,” Matthew finally said in greeting. They were the first words I’d heard from the man, and they held a complete lack of emotion. He had a British accent that was every bit as haughty as his expression. Mom’s Downton Abbey obsession was suddenly making a whole lot of sense.
I hesitated for a moment as I wondered how to respond. What did I call this man? Dad? Father? Matthew? Matty? In my mind, I’d always thought of him as that jerk who abandoned my mom, but that was a bit of a mouthful to say aloud, and I doubted it would be well received.
“Mr. LaFleur.” I finally found my voice and settled on something formal. He seemed like the type who would balk if I tried to call him daddy.
“You look like her,” he said as he continued to study me. “Candice, that is.”
He hadn’t said that I looked like my mother in the endearing way most people gushed over our similarity. It was more a statement of fact. He could have been speaking about something as bland as the weather. I didn’t miss how his eyes flickered to my untamed hair as he spoke my mother’s name. My unruly curls were exactly like Mom’s, and I was sure he was currently wondering if I even owned a hairbrush.
His gaze continued to assess me, and while his face didn’t give much away, I could tell he disliked every part of the girl standing in front of him. From my ratty sneakers to the collection of bangles jingling around my wrist, I was everything he didn’t want in a child. When his scrutiny returned to my face, I was almost worried about what he’d say next.
“But you have my eyes.”
I wasn’t expecting that. He was right though. My eyes were a similar hue of blue to his. I wished he hadn’t brought it to my attention. I might have only just met my father, but I already knew I wanted nothing from this man, especially not something as permanent as the eyes I saw in the mirror each day. My father’s eyes were an icy shade of blue as cold and hostile as the rest of his demeanor. Why couldn’t I have been born with green eyes like my mom?
He looked me over one last time before he turned and walked behind his desk. He lowered himself into his chair and crossed one leg over the other with a gracefulness I most certainly hadn’t inherited. I remained where I was standing, unsure what he expected from me. He’d arranged this meeting, and yet he was acting as though it were just another item on his daily agenda.
It’s not like I wanted to be here, and the only reason I’d agreed to come was because my mom insisted. I would have given anything to have her here with me now. I couldn’t begrudge her for her absence though. Not when she had the café to run.
“Please, take a seat,” he said, gesturing to one of the free chairs across from him. “I trust your journey here was smooth.”
Matthew clearly couldn’t feel the kink in my neck or smell the coffee stain on my shirt. My legs were still cramping from being tucked under me as I’d slept on the bus last night. I was hardly going to alert him to those facts though.
“It was fine,” I replied. “Long, but fine.”
He nodded. “I did offer to fly both your mother and you up here, but your mother insisted against it.”
This was news to me, but it sounded just like Mom. Her pride would never have allowed it, and now I’d met Matthew, I could understand why she’d be hesitant to accept anything from him—I didn’t want to owe this man anything either.
“I’m glad that Candice finally came around and allowed us to meet,” he continued. “Clearly, I’ve missed a lot of your upbringing.”
“Clearly,” I muttered. I didn’t miss how Matthew made it sound like Mom was the reason he’d been absent all these years. He was probably used to spinning the truth in his favor like that. You didn’t get as rich as him without throwing a few people under a few buses.
“I’d like to remedy that.”
It took me a moment to realize what he’d said, and I struggled to contain my surprise. He looked like a man who didn’t want anything to do with me, let alone a father who wanted to become involved in my life.
“Why?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“You are my only child, my legacy in this world. Why wouldn’t I wish to know you?”
I could think of plenty of reasons, the main one being that he’d had years to get to know me but had chosen not to. Not to mention that the man hardly appeared paternal and clearly disapproved of me. But, I didn’t say any of those things out loud.
“I certainly hope we are able to make up for lost time,” he continued. “There’s a lot we have to learn about each other.”
“Okay.”
I didn’t know what else to say, but Matthew nodded as though my vague acknowledgement of his comments meant I was completely on board. I felt nothing of the sort though. I still wasn’t any more interested in making up for lost time with Matthew than I was when I’d gotten on the bus back in Rapid Bay.
“As your father, and under current circumstances, I am also able to provide you with certain opportunities your mother cannot.”
My eyes narrowed. Was this man seriously judging my mom’s ability to provide for me? She’d been caring for me for seventeen years—unlike some people.
“However, if you are to take advantage of those opportunities, it will require…a little refinement.” His gaze had again fallen to the coffee-stained outfit I was wearing. “There are many opportunities that will come with being a LaFleur but also expectations.”
A snort accidently escaped me. As suspected, this rich stranger didn’t think I was good enough to be associated with him. “Look, I’m not sure what you expect of me, but I’ve got no expectations for you. I don’t need you to provide anything for me. I have everything I’ve ever wanted back home with my mom. And just because you knocked her up seventeen years ago doesn’t mean I’m a LaFleur.”
If my crass response bothered him, he didn’t show it. “You have my blood running through your veins,” he replied, calm as anything. “You are a LaFleur, whether you like it or not. And though our surnames may be different, you have inherited all that comes with being a part of this family.”
This conversation was definitely not going how I imagined. I thought perhaps we’d exchange awkward pleasantries and maybe he’d ask me about the summer break or going back to school. I never imagined he’d want to be involved in my life or would sit there throwing around words like legacy or expectations. Who even spoke like that?
“You never wanted to be a part of my life before now. Why do you suddenly care if your blood is running through my veins?” I asked.
My question seemed to take him by surprise, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of emotion in his gaze. “You think I don’t care?”
“Well, you haven’t exactly been banging down our door trying to get to know me, so I think that shows how you really feel.”
His eyes still revealed hints of confusion, and he slowly shook his head. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”
“Yeah, I doubt that. But, look, if you want to be part of my life, that’s up to you. Just know that I’m not changing for you or for anyone.”
I had only met him to make mom happy. I definitely hadn’t come here looking for a father, and I was perfectly content to leave without one. I’d done just fine without him so far. We didn’t have much money back in Rapid Bay, but my mom and I were happy. I was beginning to see why she hadn’t told me much about my father growing up. He really was from another world, and we were much better off without him.
“I’m not asking you to change who you are,” he said. “But there are certain things you must do in order to better represent the family name.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“For starters, you’ll get the best education money can buy. I have enrolled you at Weybridge Academy, and you will be attending school there from Monday.”
My mouth dropped open, and I stuttered. The nerve of this guy. My hands clenched into fists at my side as I attempted to control my outrage. I didn’t want his stupid name, and I certainly wouldn’t be attending some pretentious school to try to impress him. I happened to think my education back home was just fine.
“Well, as generous as your offer is, I’m afraid I have to decline,” I said. “I’ve already got a school, and I happen to like my name as it is. It’s been just swell meeting you, but I’d best be off. I would hate to take up any more of your time.”
I started for the door. The stench of wealth and arrogance in this room had grown suffocating, and I never wanted to inhale the pungent scent again. I was supposed to stay the night here, and my bus didn’t leave until tomorrow, but even just a few minutes after meeting Matthew, I knew I would rather sleep at the bus station than spend another moment with the man.
“If you attend this school without complaint, I’ll also pay for your college education…”
I froze, my feet suddenly glued to the floor. I couldn’t deny Matthew’s offer was tempting, and my chest twisted with a desperate sense of longing. He was dangling in front of me the one thing I had always wanted more than anything, and yet I knew I couldn’t accept it. I couldn’t leave my mom like that. I’d already made up my mind about college. I needed to stay in Rapid Bay and help at the café.
“I don’t even want to go to college.” The lie tasted like acid on my tongue. It was one thing to write off my dream to Norma or even my mom, but denying it to Matthew was harder than I cared to admit. I’d been telling them, and convincing myself, I just couldn’t afford to go to college, but now this man was going to give it to me on a silver platter.
Matthew let out a sigh. “That’s not what your mother said.”
“Well, she lied.” I forced my feet to start moving forward once more, and when I got to the door, I wrapped my hands around the handle and jerked it open. I needed to get away from Matthew as quickly as possible. Who knew what else he was going to offer to try to convince me to stay.
As the door swung wide, I found the butler standing there, barring my way. The man must have been in his sixties, but he was a surprisingly imposing figure and seemed to take up most of the doorway. He didn’t move an inch as I tried to edge past him, and it was clear he had no intention of letting me leave.
I spun to face my father. “So, what? Since bribery won’t work, you’re just going to hold me captive?”
“You are not a captive here, but you will be attending Weybridge Academy.”
“Like hell I will.”
Matthew lifted a hand as if to silence me. “It has already been decided. You are to attend Weybridge Academy for the final year of your schooling. You’ll have accommodation on the campus, but I’ve purchased this property so I can visit when my schedule allows, and we can get to know each other. Your mother has already agreed that this is in your best interest.”
“My mom would never agree to this without talking to me.”
“That is between you and your mother, but she did agree. Now, I have work to attend to. A room has been prepared for you to stay in tonight, and a car will collect you and take you to school in the morning.”
It wasn’t often I was lost for words, but I was really struggling to find them right now. I must have looked like a gaping fish opening and closing my mouth as I tried to figure out what to say.
“But, she…”
The butler appeared at my side and started to guide me from the room. I must have been in shock because I didn’t complain as I mechanically turned to follow him from my father’s office. Had my mom really sent me away without even discussing it with me first? It didn’t seem possible.
“Oh, and one last thing,” Matthew said as I went to leave. I only half turned to him because I was still trying to process the last few blows he’d dealt me. Seriously, what more could this man throw my way?
He straightened a little in his chair as I met his eyes. “The children of many influential families attend this school. I’m sure you will make connections with all of the right ones. However, there is one boy I must warn you to stay clear of.”
I was still in a state of shock after everything Matthew had already told me, so I didn’t know how to react. Who was this boy? And why did Matthew care about him? The poor guy probably just came from the wrong family or his bank account didn’t live up to Mr. LaFleur’s lofty expectations.
“His name is Noah Hastings.”
I was about to ask Matthew why he was bothering to warn me, but I realized there was no point. He hadn’t been listening to a word I’d said so far. I’d already told him I wouldn’t be attending his stupid ritzy school, and I felt certain once I spoke with my mom this would all be sorted out. I’d be on the bus back to Rapid Bay by morning, and Matthew’s advice about where I should go to school, how I should act and who I should associate with would be a distant memory.
“Whatever you say.” I shrugged.
Matthew seemed pleased enough by my response. Clearly, he didn’t realize I had no intention of ever meeting this boy, let alone avoiding him. Matthew nodded to the butler, and the man went to guide me from the room once more.
“This way, Miss Isobel,” he said.
I didn’t complain as I let him lead me from my father’s office. The sooner I got away from Matthew, the sooner I could call my mom and sort this whole mess out.
I followed the butler back through the house and up the wide set of marble stairs in the entranceway. He showed me to a bedroom far more lavish than any I’d seen before. There were plush cream carpets spread across the floors and an enormous bed with a lush white comforter and hints of gold sparkling on the headboard. Two sets of double doors covered one wall and appeared to open onto a private balcony. On the opposite wall, a wide archway led through to an open living area.
“This is your room,” the butler said as I stepped inside. “There are clothes in the closet for you. Everything you require for school is already packed.”
He gestured toward a door I hadn’t noticed yet, and curious, I wandered over to check it out. I pulled the door open, and my mouth dropped as a miniature chandelier lit up above my head, revealing a closet larger than my entire bedroom back home. The racks were filled with clothing, and a whole wall was dedicated to displaying bags and shoes. I couldn’t bring myself to step into the closet. Even from here, I could tell the clothes were made from luxurious materials that probably had eye-watering price tags attached.
“He got me clothes?”
“Yes, Mr. LaFleur had them delivered in time for your arrival. Everything was selected by one of New York City’s top stylists, and I’ve been assured the collection reflects what young people are wearing these days.”
The way he said young people with such distaste might have been funny if I wasn’t under house arrest. I got the feeling this man wasn’t a big fan of teenagers, and looking after one definitely hadn’t been in his job description when he’d agreed to work for my dad.
“Dinner will be served in an hour,” he continued. “And—”
“Oh, I’m not hungry.” The last thing I wanted was to sit through a meal with my father, and I wasn’t sure I could eat right now anyway. “So, don’t worry about preparing anything for me.”
He nodded. “Well, if you need anything or you change your mind about dinner, you can call for me using the buzzer.”
I noticed the intercom on the wall and nodded. The butler went to leave, but I interrupted him before he could fully close the door. “What was your name?”
“You may call me Caldwell,” he replied before nodding and clicking the door shut.
“Caldwell,” I muttered. He was as total a stick-in-the-mud, just like my father.
Once I was sure he was gone, I pulled my backpack from my shoulders and unzipped it to pull out my phone. Seeing the contents of my bag made my stomach swirl with irritation. They expected me to go off to some strange school tomorrow, and all I’d brought with me was one change of clothes. My mother had some serious explaining to do.
I found my phone at the bottom of the bag and dialed home. Mom answered on the first ring. “How was it? Did you meet him?”
“Oh, yeah, and my father’s a real peach. I can’t imagine why it took you seventeen years to introduce us.”
She let out a low exhale. “It didn’t go well then.”
“No, it didn’t. The man thinks I’m trash and seems to want to change everything about me. But, that’s not even the worst bit. Did you really agree to send me away to school?”
The other end of the line went quiet for a moment.
“Mom?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I agreed.” Her voice was low and filled with shame. Her guilt only flared my annoyance.
“And you didn’t think to ask me?”
“Well, I knew you’d be hesitant,” she rushed to explain.
“So, you just sent me here knowing I wouldn’t be coming home. Not giving me a chance to say goodbye. Fully aware I’d be gone for months.”
“Yes.”
“I only have one change of underwear!”
“Isobel…”
“Mom…”
“We figured it would be easier this way. He said he has everything you could ever need.”
Everything I could ever need? That was impossible when the thing I needed most in life was my mom. She was my best friend. We did everything together. I was too angry to tell her that though. “How could you do this to me?”
“How could I say no? To letting you attend one of the most prestigious schools in the country?”
“Uh, easy. You just say no.”
Mom wouldn’t be derailed though. “Isobel, you’re so smart. You deserve every opportunity in life, and going to Weybridge Academy will give you a real shot at getting into a great college next year. A college Matthew has offered to pay for…”
My mom sounded like such a sellout, and I struggled to reign in my anger. “Surely, if you wanted this guy to bankroll my education, you would have asked for his help getting me into this snotty school years ago. Why now? Why not last year or the year before that? What changed?”
Mom took a deep breath.
“Mom?”
“You changed,” she answered quietly. “You stopped dreaming, and I won’t let you waste your life.”
“I didn’t stop dreaming. I just decided I’m not going to college.”
“Why? Because you so desperately want to spend the rest of your life in Rapid Bay? I know that’s not the life you want, and I won’t let you stay here and be held back because of me.”
“People change their minds, Mom. I told you I don’t want to go to college anymore.”
“I’m not stupid, Isobel. I know I’m the reason you haven’t looked at colleges for next year. But I can manage the café just fine without your help.”
“I like helping out at the café.”
“I know you do. But Rapid Bay is the life I wanted. And if you go to this school, the possibilities for you will be endless.” She paused for a moment, and her voice calmed as she continued. “You don’t honestly want to go back to school here after everything that happened there last year, do you?”
I swallowed a heavy lump in my throat. “I’m not that fragile. Yes, I was upset by everything that happened, but that doesn’t mean I want to run away.”
“It’s not running away. You’ve been like a zombie all summer, and you haven’t seen a single one of your friends during the break. You deserve a fresh start, and you deserve the future you dreamed of. Matthew can help give you that.”
I scrunched up my nose at the sound of my father’s name on her lips. I hated to hear her say it. I still couldn’t understand how she ever could have been attracted to someone like him in the first place. My mom was so full of life, but I wasn’t sure if Matthew even knew how to crack a smile.
“What did you ever see in him? Was it the money?”
“Of course, it wasn’t the money,” she replied. “He’s not so bad, Isobel. Give him a chance, and you’ll see he’s got a big heart.”
It seemed far more likely the man had an empty cavity in his chest, so I found it hard to believe her. “Mom, I don’t want him in my life, and I don’t want to go to a school that’s so far away from you. Can’t I just come home?”
She didn’t even pause before she responded. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that. I’d never forgive myself if you wasted this opportunity. No. You’re staying right where you are. You may be angry with me right now, but one day, you’ll thank me.”
I was struck speechless by the finality in her voice. Mom never made decisions this way. She’d never forced my hand like this before. We’d always discussed these things together.
“Well, I guess that’s that then.” My tone was devoid of emotion, and I couldn’t help but feel hurt by how this had all played out. My mom had always told me there were things more important in life than money, but it seemed that was a lie. How could she abandon me this way?
“I guess I’ll see you when I see you then,” I said. “Maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas…”
“Isobel…”
“No, Mom, you don’t get to Isobel me. You’ve really hurt me. I can barely even talk to you.”
“Okay…” she murmured. “Well, call me when you get to school. I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
“Sure, Mom. I’ll talk to you then.”
I ended the call and walked over to the balcony doors. I pressed my forehead against the glass and stared out at the rolling expanse of green lawns beyond. The sun was starting to set, lighting up the sky with a pinky golden hue as it breached the horizon. I normally loved a beautiful sunset, but I couldn’t appreciate this one. Not when my whole life was about to turn upside down. My dad was even worse than I’d expected, my mom had betrayed me, and tomorrow I was leaving behind everything I knew.
As I stepped back from the doors, I caught my reflection in the glass. My blonde hair was a mess, my eyes were wide, and my ripped jeans and stained top looked completely out of place in the lavish bedroom that surrounded me.
I didn’t belong here, and going to Weybridge Academy was only going to prove it. I’d felt like a fish out of water from the moment I’d arrived in this town. And it seemed that tomorrow I was going to have to figure out how to breathe air.
