Chapter 29
Serena
He yanked away from me, his voice a ragged shout. "Don't touch me! You don't get to touch me after what you've done!"
I froze. "What I've—what are you talking about?"
"Your father has been under unbearable stress," my mother said, her voice trembling in that practiced way that always preceded a demand. "The company is bankrupt, Serena. We're going to lose everything. And it's all because of you."
"Because of me?" I stared at her, my mind struggling to process the accusation. "How is this my fault?"
"You broke up with Wesley!" Elena's voice was sharp, accusing. "After you left him, he stopped helping us. And without the Lawson name backing us, no one wants to do business with Father anymore. We need five hundred thousand dollars by next week or the company goes under. Five hundred thousand, Serena. Do you understand what that means?"
My father let out a sound that was half sob, half laugh. "I should just end it. Jump out a window. At least then the insurance might cover something."
"Dad, don't—" I reached for him again, but he shoved me away.
"Don't what? Don't tell the truth? I spent decades building this family's reputation, and you destroyed it in one night!" He glared at me, his eyes bloodshot and wild. "I invested everything in you. Your education alone cost hundreds of thousands. And this is how you repay me? By letting me die?"
Elena moved closer, her expression shifting into something that might have been sympathy if I didn't know her better. "Father, please. Don't say that." She knelt beside him, her hand on his shoulder. "If it comes to it, sell me. I'd do anything to save you. Even if it's only worth a few thousand, I'd give it gladly."
My father just shook his head, his face crumpling. "You're a good daughter, Elena. Not like your sister."
The words hit like a slap, but I forced myself to stay calm. "I have a job now. A real job. But five hundred thousand dollars?" I shook my head. "I can afford maybe five thousand. That's it."
My mother's eyes brightened slightly, and I saw the shift immediately—the way her tears stopped, the way her posture straightened. "You don't need to pay it yourself, darling."
I narrowed my eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"There's a deal," she said, her tone suddenly brisk, businesslike. "A very lucrative deal that's almost finalized. We just need someone to close it. Someone professional. Someone who represents the future of the Vance family."
"I've never negotiated a business deal in my life," I said flatly. "How am I supposed to close something worth half a million dollars?"
Elena stepped closer, her smile sharp. "The deal is already done, Serena. All the terms are agreed upon. We just need someone to sign the final paperwork. But Father…" She glanced at him, still crumpled on the floor. "He's in no state to present himself. You, on the other hand—Yale graduate, professional, poised—you'd be perfect."
I stared at her, my instincts screaming that this was a trap. "Why me? Why not you?"
"Because I don't have your credentials," Elena said smoothly. "And this client values education. Sophistication. You're exactly what they're looking for."
I hesitated, my mind racing. This felt wrong. Everything about this felt wrong. But then my father spoke again, his voice barely a whisper. "Forget it. I'll just jump. My only successful daughter won't lift a finger to save me. All those years, all that money I spent on her education—wasted."
The words twisted something in my chest, even though I knew—knew—he was manipulating me. "Fine," I said, my voice tight. "I'll do it. But this is the last time. After this, we're done. No more debts. No more obligations. Do you understand?"
For a moment, silence. Then my father's ragged breathing began to steady, the gasps smoothing into something more controlled. He lifted his head slowly, the wildness fading from his eyes.
"You mean it?" His voice was still hoarse, but steadier now. "You'll do this?"
"I said I would."
He pushed himself to his feet, one hand braced against the coffee table. The desperation was still there, but measured now. Controlled. "You're saving the family, Serena. We won't forget this."
My mother moved toward me, her trembling hands reaching up to smooth my hair. The tears on her cheeks were already drying. "You're finally growing up, Serena. Finally becoming the daughter we always knew you could be."
I looked past her to Elena, who was watching me with a smile that made my skin crawl. Too satisfied. Too knowing.
"I'm not doing this alone," I said suddenly. "Elena comes with me."
Elena's smile faltered. "What?"
"You heard me." I crossed my arms. "If this deal is so important, if it's really as simple as you say, then you're coming with me to make sure it goes through."
My father's expression tightened, his eyes darting between us. "Serena, that's not necessary—"
"It is to me," I said firmly. "Either Elena comes, or I don't go."
Elena's jaw clenched, but after a long moment, she nodded. "Fine. I'll come." She looked at my father, her voice suddenly hard. "Don't worry, Father. I'll make sure this deal closes. Personally."