You Better Think Chapter 17 Holden's POV I had my driver take me back to my parents ' home after we lost Ana in the parking garage . Her words caused both Seth and me a great deal of confusion . I know she loves Seth , and for her to say what she said , we both agreed that we had to have missed something . It was around the time we went to our second year of college that things changed . Had Tiffany hurt Ana ? Is that why she was so angry with me ? Because I didn't protect her . I knew for a fact that I wouldn't have done anything to hurt her . I cared for Ana , she was a sweetheart , and I couldn't for the life of me remember anything that I had done that would have hurt her . She has been avoiding Tiffany for years as well . Since Mom wanted to pin this on me , she always said it was something that I had done . But maybe she was wrong . Maybe this was something that Tiffany had done , and I was just guilty by association . Tiffany wasn't nearly as nice as Ana was . Tiffany was willing to sell her soul to maintain her current lifestyle , and she knows her time is running out . Tiffany was twenty - eight years old , and she was still trying to find someone she considered her equal , or worthy enough to marry . She was always on me to speak to Seth about marrying her . I already knew that wasn't going to happen . He could barely stand to look at her , let alone talk to her . He hadn't made a secret about it , and our parents had finally stopped bringing it up after Alicia had gently told my parents that Seth was never going to marry her . It didn't mean she still doesn't have her sights on him . It just means that while she is test - driving the other men in our circle , she still has her eyes on Seth . My mother was excited to see me and immediately came to greet me . " Holden , I'm so glad you came to visit . To what do we owe the honor ? " she asked before heading back to the island in the kitchen to continue trimming the flowers she was putting in a vase . I had been gone for the last five years . Only coming home occasionally . I knew I'd eventually take over the company for Dad , but I also wanted to leave my own mark on the world . " I wanted to talk to you privately , Mom . Is Tiffany here ? " I asked . before taking a barstool on the other side of the island from her . " No , she and Gretchen are out buying dresses for the auction on Sunday . Which reminds me , son , Tiffany wants you to take her and Gretchen into the auction with your invitation ," Mom replied . " I really don't want to escort them , Mom . Tiffany will just walk off and leave me with Gretchen again , trying to force some sort of love connection . Which is not going to happen , Mom . Gretchen makes my skin crawl . I hate every interaction that we've ever had . Plus , it wouldn't be appropriate for me to escort them . Seth and the Caldwells are asking me to follow through with the arranged marriage . We have all agreed it's what's best for Ana , but we're still trying to get her to agree with it ," I responded with a smile . I already knew my mother would be thrilled , and she was , for several minutes . " So , have you sat down with Ana and discussed what her issues were ? You have to clear the air before you get married . It would be best for you to know , so you can get past whatever it was . She still hasn't told me , or Alicia . We're still concerned about it , but I was so happy when Alicia told me that Ana's engagement was over . I knew you had a good You Better Think chance to get her back . You need to make sure to charm her son . She is such a sweet girl , and she would make a wonderful wife . I've known her since she was born . She's never acted this way before . I wish she would just say it and get this whole thing over with ," she asked . "I think the issue might have been less on me and more on Tiffany if what she said earlier was true , " I replied . " Seth was saying that we've both always tried to protect her , and she asked if we would be willing to bet our lives on that being true . " Mom froze in place , then slowly turned towards me , giving me her full attention before asking . " Tiffany ? Are you sure , Holden ? I thought we sat Tiffany down after Ana changed . Tiffany swore that she had always protected Ana . Do you think she was lying to us ? If that is the case , Alicia would never forgive me. I won't be able to forgive myself either , as it would be my fault . " " Mom , it wouldn't be your fault . Tiffany has always done as she liked , but she wasn't a bully . Also , if she had done something to Ana , that would be on her , not you . You and Dad taught us right from wrong . It's the only thing that makes any kind of sense . I honestly can't remember a reason for Ana to have made such a drastic change . I liked her , and she followed us around for years . We did protect her in high school . You know as well as I do that Gretchen's a bully , too . She was so jealous of Ana . That's why we asked Tiffany to keep an eye on her . Only Tiffany would have been able to protect her from Gretchen . Seth and I were heading back to college , and we both wanted to ensure Ana's safety . She didn't have many friends , which worried us . Tiffany might be spoiled , but I don't believe she was a bully . I also don't think that she would allow it to happen in front of her . I just know that something bad had to have happened for Ana to still be holding a grudge , " I replied . My mother chewed her lip before looking at me . " Let me ask Tiffany about it first . She might get defensive if you do it . She always hated how protective you and Seth were over Ana . You're not the most diplomatic person in our family . I will ask her and get back with you . I think you're right . Tiffany liked Gretchen and might not have protected Ana very well . I will hate it if that's what occurred . Alicia and I are best friends . I won't be able to apologize to her or Ana enough if that's the case . I hate to admit it , but it does make sense . Gretchen was always jealous of Ana and always made comments about her weight . I hope you're wrong , Holden , but I think you're onto something . I'm sorry for accusing you all this time . It's just she hung on your every word . Then all of a sudden , she couldn't even bear to look at you , " she said . " Well , we don't know it wasn't me yet , Mom , I just can't imagine what I could have done to make her so ang angry that she's still holding a grudge . However , I can see her gaining weight over the years because of being bullied . I want to find out too , so we can get past this . I asked her if she would go to the auction with me . I also asked if we could talk . She hasn't answered my text . I'm still blocked . So , I had to send it through my assistant Kevin's phone , but she hasn't replied . He's supposed to send me a screenshot when , or if , she replies . She probably won't answer , but I'm not giving up . I want to marry her ; she has grown up to be a beautiful woman ," I replied . " Who's a beautiful woman ? " a voice asked from behind us . I turned to see Tiffany and Gretchen looking at me with smiles on their faces . I knew I needed to leave , as I could already tell that Gretchen was thinking that I was talking about her . I have to shut this down quickly . " This was a private conversation , but I wasn't speaking about the present company , " I said in a cold tone . " Well , I'm still glad you're here , Holden . Can you take me and Gretchen to the auction ? We just got some new 2/4 2000000000000 You Better Think dresses for it , " Tiffany asked . She even pouted , thinking that it came off as cute , but she's nearing thirty . There's no need for her to do that , it just comes off as childish . 1 can't . The Caldwells have asked that I honor the arranged marriage with Ana , and I've agreed . In fact , that is who I was talking about earlier . Ana is an accomplished designer and a beautiful person , inside and out . So , I can take you , Tiffany , as you are my sister . But I will not be able to escort , Gretchen . It wouldn't be proper as I'm now officially off the market . " I replied . " Ana is already engaged to be married , in just two weeks ' time , Holden . You must be mistaken . You can't be marrying her ; it doesn't make sense . She can't marry two people , " Tiffany cried out . " Her engagement is off . If everything works out , I will be taking his place at their ceremony . But you need to keep that to yourself . If you report it , don't think the Caldwells are going to just let you off . They will find out who leaked it and come after you ," I stated confidently . I wasn't lying . There would be nowhere for them to hide if either of them ' accidentally ' let it slip to a reporter . I see Gretchen react to that with a start . She was the one I had been talking to . I could almost see the wheels turning . She was definitely going to try to leak it . " Well , who can tell where rumors even come from . I can't see Ana forgiving you or accepting you . She has been mad for a decade . I don't believe that she would forgive you all of a sudden , " Gretchen replied . " Well , the fact that her family , and our family , are the only ones who know , it person would be exposed quickly . There's no way for it to stay hidden , as I can promise you that not only would they sue whoever reported it . I would join in with them . Even if it's my own sister , " I replied , keeping my eyes trained on Gretchen . I was letting her know that if she thought she could get away with it , she needed to think again . The reporter would eventually cave and tell the truth . Gretchen is one of the few who know the truth now . It wouldn't be a stretch of imagination to figure out who did it . " Holden is right . If the news leaks , you and Tiffany would be the primary suspects . You both need to think carefully about what you do with this information . We will collaborate with them to ensure the guilty party is discovered . There will be a fitting punishment for whoever did it , " my mother stated in an icy tone . " You're acting like you love her more than you love me ? " Tiffany gasped out . " Why ? Are you planning on being the weak link , Tiffany ? Because I swear if you do , your allowance will be cancelled , forever . You will also have to get a job and pay your own bills . Ana does , and she is younger than you . I can promise you that won't be all of it , either . You'd better think long and hard , Tiffany , because there won't be any coming back from this , " Mom coldly stated .