Chapter 15 I blinked . Then snorted . " You've officially lost the plot . You're pimping me out to a man who looks like he gets senior citizen discounts . ' Don't be dramatic , Mum snapped , though her voice stayed polished and posh . If you won't marry Rhys , you'll have to marry someone . You don't get to float around like some spoiled socialite with no value . That's not how this works . " ] I stared at her . ' So , this is it ? I dump Rhys , and suddenly you're throwing me at the next billionaire with a functioning heart valve ? Mum pursed her lips like she was trying not to roll her eyes . I was furious when I heard about the state of your relationship with Rhys . Especially your attitude yesterday . You were cold . Rude . Disrespectful . You embarrassed me . But the situation , as it turns out , could still be salvaged . Right , because now that your precious Catherine's back in Skyline City , suddenly it's " convenient I'm out of the way , " I said , unable to stop the bitterness from slipping out Mum didn't even blink . It is convenient . Rhys and Catherine have history . They're better suited . " ] So I did you a favour then . You didn't do ine a favour , " she snapped . You created a mess . Without Catherine's timely return , what you did may have seriously offended the Grangers . Do you have any idea how valuable that connection is ? You don't want Rhys ? Fine . But you're going to make it right by finding another match - and soon " No , " I said flady . Mum leaned forward , that terrifying stillness settling over her face - the kind that always came before she did something diabolical . "T invested a fortune raising you . Education Clothes . Debutante nonsense . Do you think that was free ? You've done nothing for the family , Mirabelle . At the very least , you owe us a strategic alliance . It's the least you can do . ' ] expense I've cost you . But I'm not selling myself to the highest bidder I scoffed . " Send me an invoice then . I'll pay back whatever little ex just so you can recoup your " investment ". " Throughout the mother - daughter debate , Frank - darling Daddy - just sat there . Silent . Supportive in the way that meant I'll let your mother destroy you and offer you a biscuit afterwards . ] I turned to Mum again . That wasn't why I came back . Why the hell did you call my boss ? You got me fired . That was the price of disobedience , she said coolly . "You don't get to disrespect me and walk away unscathed . And Rhys deserved better than your tantrum yesterday . You embarrassed all of us . You should be thinking about how to make things right instead of behaving like a brat . I suggest you start by making a date with Leonard Shaw . Tu I clenched my fists. Tmi never marrying Shaw . Or any other sleazehag you dig up from your Rolodex of corporate creeps . " Mum was utterly unfazed . You'll fall in line . You always do " You've already cost me my job . I don't even live at home anymore . There's nothing else you can take from me ." Her smile was dow . Cold " Don't be so sure . I can decided your lease was vold | do plenty enty . You like your your apartment , don't you ? Shame if your landlord suddenly My stomach dropped And that best friend of yours what's her name ? Yval Yvaine ? Her parents ' httle family business still depends on our supplier network ild change . Fast " at her , completely stunned . " You wouldn't . " I you be willing to risk it ? " ray she said it , I knew - without a shred of doubt - that she meant every vile syllable . [ ] dine Vance didn't run a Fortune 500 company , but she did run my father like a high - end Roomba , and Daddy dearest was -deep in Skyline City's business scene . If she wanted to destroy someone's livelihood , all she had to do was give the word . dn't have a choice . Not really . I couldn't let Yvaine get caught in the crossfire of my family's twisted drama . If someone had to go vn , it wasn't going to be her . I went on the offensive . [ ] lutely wasn't but desperately can't marry Shaw , because I'm already engaged ." I said , with the conviction of someone who absolutely eeded to be . ] Mum actually blinked . You're what ? Engaged . " I repeated , casually inspecting my nails like I wasn't making this up p on the spot . ' Met someone incredible . Very powerful . We're getting married . ' ] Dad gave a little cough like he'd just woken up from a nap . That's not possible . You were engaged to Rhys for years . You broke it off last week . ' ] "Well , it's been a productive week , ' I said , flashing my most deranged pageant smile . Turns out , I rebound very well . ] Mum narrowed her eyes . " Who is he ? ' [ ] You'll meet him soon enough , I said , lifting my bag and stepping towards the door . Tll bring him home for dinner sometime . And I promise , he'll make your Leonard Shaw look like a budget haircut in a hack alley barbershop . Mirabelle- I left before she could start interrogating me . www Back at my flat , I flopped onto the sofa like a collapsing deck chair and groaned 1 was furious . Not just at Mum - though her high - handed , Machiavellian meddling had definitely earned her a prime spot on my personal hit list - but at myself . Because after all these years of therapy , wine , and telling myself was immune to her manipulations …. the still got under my skin like glitter in a carpet And now I'd gone and thrown a bloody fiancé into the mix ix like I was auditioning for a Hallmark Christmas special , minus the snow , the charm , or the actual fiance . The woman would suss me out in three business days , max . Probably sooner if she skipped brunch . 1 needed to make my little lie true . Somehow . I needed a man who oozed enough wealth and power to make my mum clutch her pearls and my dad reach for lus investment portfolio . Someone untouchable . Impressive . Preferably with enough bite to make them both second guess every smug word out of their mouths . [ ] Too bad every eligible guy I knew who fit the bill was either married , morally bankrupt , or part of Khys's polo playing inner circle ] " That , " I muttered , burying my face in a throw pillow my brain [ ] I was ready to spiral into a full down panic , a face floated into my