“See you later, Mrs. Windsor,” Larissa says, her cheeks bright red. I know I’m not supposed to have favorites when it comes to the children I teach, but she’s just adorable. She’s only eight, but she’s got the kind of discipline and raw talent required to succeed.
“See you next week, sweetheart,” I tell her, my hand brushing over her hair briefly. I can just envision her future, and I have no doubt it’s brighter than she imagines. If I have anything to say about it, it certainly will be.
The moment I set foot outside the Foundation’s building, bright light begins to blind me, and I freeze as shouts overwhelm me. Within seconds, two bodyguards appear out of nowhere. “Mrs. Windsor,” they say. “We’ve been assigned by your husband. It’s our duty to keep you safe, and we humbly request that you don’t engage with the press. Will you please let us escort you to your car?”
I nod, confused by all the noise and light. Is this what Raven constantly has to deal with? It’s overwhelming and terrifying. I’ve given interviews before, and I’ve even had paparazzi secretly take photos of me, but I’ve never experienced anything like this.
“Mrs. Windsor! Is it true your in-laws were responsible for the collapse of your father’s mines? Is that why Windsor Media has tried to suppress the news? Are you getting a divorce? Why is your father in the hospital? It can’t be a coincidence! Is it all an insurance scam?”
The accusations and insinuations continue to rain down on me as I’m led to the car, cameras flashing every few seconds. My mind whirls as the words slowly sink in. My father’s mines collapsed? Worry gnaws at me, but it isn’t for my father — it’s for Dion. I don’t even have to guess to know he’s responsible for this, and perhaps I should condemn him for it, but instead, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and protectiveness. The press accused him of what happened in one breath, while accusing my father of orchestrating insurance fraud in the next. If they’re going to focus on anything, I’d much rather it be the latter.
“Shall I take you home, Mrs. Windsor?” Garret asks.
I nod absentmindedly, and he drives away. “Garret?” I say moments later, my voice trembling. “Could you… could you take me to Windsor Finance?”
He nods sharply. “Certainly, ma’am.”
I’m still shaking by the time we pull up in front of the massive building and my mental state must be obvious, because the receptionist looks at me with a hint of disdain, her gaze roaming over my jeans. “I’m here to see Valentina Windsor,” I tell her, nearly stumbling over my words. I haven’t fully thought out my plan yet, and there’s no guarantee she’d even help me, but I have to try.
“Do you have an appointment?”
I shake my head. “No, but—”
She huffs. “Mrs. Windsor’s schedule is packed. You will have to make an appointment to see her. I’m afraid it’s near impossible to just walk in here and demand to see the COO.”
“Um, then, is Luca here maybe?”
Her eyes widen, and this time, she laughs. “I’m afraid not. Mr. and Mrs. Windsor are both occupied this afternoon. Would you like to make an appointment?”
She stares as though she’s only humoring me, and the humiliation burns. I pat my jeans, only to realize I left my phone in my bag.
“Look, I left my phone in the car or I’d have called her myself. Could you please ring her and let her know Faye is here to see her? I assure you she won’t send me away.”
She looks reluctant but nods politely. “I’ll make an exception for you,” she says, a blatantly fake smile on her face. “But please know you aren’t the first person to try this approach. She won’t give interviews, and if we find a camera on you, we’ll sue you.”
I blink as realization dawns, and then I laugh. “You think I’m a reporter?” I ask, my thoughts clearing. I was so panicked when I stormed in here that I wasn’t thinking straight, but I get it now. I’m not dressed appropriately for the office and demanded to see Val without an appointment. Of course I look dodgy.
“Please just call her,” I tell her, a sweet smile on my face. I can’t fault her for being protective of her bosses. If anything, I appreciate it after the ordeal I went through just now.
She nods and picks up the phone. “Your name was?”
“Faye.”
Impatience flickers through her eyes. “Faye what? Do you have a last name?”
Irritation runs down my spine, and I purse my lips for a moment. “Windsor.” I tip my head toward the big golden crest on the wall behind her. “Spelled just like that.”
Her eyes widen, and she nearly drops her desk phone. “Oh God,” she says. “I’m so incredibly sorry, Mrs. Windsor. It’s just, your hair! We… we’re given photos of all the Windsor family members, and I recognize you now, but in the photo you had brown hair!”
I grab the ends of my hair and look at it. “Right,” I murmur. “Look, I need to see Val or Luca, but if that’s not possible, could you at least leave a message for me?”
She snaps out of it and jumps out of her seat. “I’ll escort you up personally. I cannot apologize enough, Mrs. Windsor.”
Her attitude changes entirely, and by the time we reach Val’s office, she’s apologized at least a dozen times. If I hadn’t been so preoccupied with deciding what to say to Val, I’d have felt sorry for her.
“Come in!” Val calls, and I hesitate for a moment.
Her eyes widen in surprise when she sees me, and then she rises from her seat with the biggest smile on her face. “Faye, sweetheart! What are you doing here? This is such a pleasant surprise.”
She walks around her desk and hugs me tightly, and for a moment, I let myself lean into her. “What’s wrong?” she asks when I pull away. “Faye, you’re trembling, and you’re worrying me. What’s going on?”
She leads me to the seating area in her office, and I shake my head as I sit down. “It’s nothing,” I tell her. “I was just wondering about something. I realize that this is inappropriate, and likely an abuse of power, and if I ask this of you, I might destroy any relationship we could’ve had. You might find me immoral and horrible, but I—”
She grabs my hand and squeezes tightly. “Just tell me.”
“Is it true that your father’s family controls most of the insurance industry?”
Her gaze roams over my face, a calculative look in her eyes. “Not exactly, but my uncle does own the largest insurance firm in the world.”
“Would you… would you be in a position to deny an insurance claim, if… if it comes to it?”
She smiles then, the tension draining from her shoulders. “You had me worried,” she murmurs. “Do you really think I’d let our family’s hard work go to waste? Your father won’t see a single penny. He’s done. He’ll be charged with insurance fraud.”
“You knew,” I whisper.
She nods and gently brushes my hair out of my face. “Of course. There’s no way my husband could come home with blood on his clothes without explaining to me exactly how that happened. I’m so proud of him and the boys for standing up for you, and I’ll do my part where I can. You’re not alone anymore, Faye.”
I tense, humiliation rushing through me. “Did Dion tell you about… about my father’s violence toward me?”
It’s irrational, because I should be grateful he avenged me, but instead I find myself feeling betrayed. What I told him wasn’t meant for anyone but him. I didn’t want anyone to know. I’m aware that I wasn’t to blame for what happened, but a part of me still feels ashamed I let it happen at all.
Valentina’s expression darkens, and she looks away. “No,” she says, her voice soft. “I only knew about him stealing your money.” She grits her teeth and shakes her head. “I guess that explains why Luca was so cagey when he got home.”
Val gently rubs my arms and throws me a reassuring smile. “Don’t you worry about a thing, sweetie. I’ll handle any insurance claims that might arise, and the boys will handle everything else. Could I ask for something in return, though?”
I nod, intrigued by the helplessness that flashes through her eyes. “Of course.”
She hesitates and looks away for a moment, as though she’s thinking over her words before speaking. “I don’t need to remind you of the date, because you lost your mother on the same day, but…” she runs a hand through her long thick hair and inhales shakily. “Normally, the Windsor siblings gather to reminisce and celebrate their sweetest memories on the anniversary of their parents’ death, but it isn’t the same for Dion. He’s always hidden himself away, and I’m worried he’ll do the same this year. Please, Faye. Don’t let him be alone next week.”
I nod, my heart warming. “I won’t,” I promise. “I hear you, Val. I won’t let him push me away.”
She smiles at me then, relief flickering through her eyes. Dion is so loved, and I don’t think he realizes it. But he will. I’ll prove it to him, one way or another.
