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My brothers and I threw her kindness back in her face.
It’s no wonder she’s hardened herself against us, I realized, gazing back at her posh, stylish outfit. We were the ones to blame her for breaking her down.
I couldn’t bring myself to hate Dad for keeping her away from us.
He was her father and watched the proof of our cruelty to his one and only child. I finally understood why he kept her hidden from us. We’d all been monsters to his only daughter. I’d have done the same if I were in his shoes.
Milla stepped closer and kneeled before me.
“You’re in shock right now,” she said in a gentle voice. “It can’t be easy to face such a truth out of the blue. Even then, you shouldn’t be alone. You should be with Corey and Caleb.”
“My half-brothers,” I mumbled, wondering if that was the reason they were always such a close pair. “They have nothing in common with me.”
“They’re twins,” she said. “They’re bound to be wired differently. You can’t let that bother you.”
“You can have it,” I blurted out.
Confusion flickered in her eyes. “What?”
I cleared my throat. “The CEO position. You can have it.”
Her blue eyes widened. “Are you sure? This isn’t a good time to decide on something as serious as that. You’re in shock. You’re in no control of your emotions. We don’t have to talk about that matter now.”
It felt like I was seeing Milla for the first time once again.
She was still terribly kind and considerate. Anyone else in her place would’ve jumped at the chance to take what they’d been obsessing over for five years.
Drawing close to her, I laid my hands on her shoulders. “It’s yours, Milla. At first, I was in competition with you. I didn’t think you were capable enough to handle the duties that came with the job. You’re not aware of the ugliness of the construction business but your inexperience doesn’t matter. I’ll work for you and protect you.”
Milla stayed quiet.
“You’ll work for me?” she finally whispered.
I gave a nod and squeezed her shoulders. “You’re much better at running a business than me. Your inexperience in the construction industry won’t be a weakness as long as you have me on your side. Besides, you’ve always been better than me at pretty much everything. After a while, you won’t even need me.”
A smile suddenly lifted the corners of my lips as a heavy weight slid off my chest. Surrendering to Milla felt like the right thing to do.
My mother’s spirit seemed to watch the whole exchange. She was probably cursing me right now for giving up so easily.
I can’t fight and hurt the girl I love, I decided silently.There’s no way I’ll spend the rest of my life watching her loathe me.
“I can’t believe what you’re saying,” said Milla, staring up at me with a worried look. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
A chuckle escaped me. “I’m okay.” Folding my arms around her, I drew her against me. The fragrance of green apples wafted into my nose, making me inhale her familiar scent deeply. “Don’t worry about anything from now onward. I’ll protect you and the company our parents sacrificed so much for.”
She stayed still in my embrace.
Stepping away, I looked down at her. “There’s just one thing I want in exchange.”
A wary look descended into her eyes at once. “What’s that?” she asked, her voice turning grim.
“Forgiveness.”
“Huh?”
“Forgive me and my brothers,” I said. “We don’t deserve it but you’re a much better person than we are. Only you can forgive us for the pain we put you through. I just want to make sure the hatred between our parents doesn’t ruin our present and future. Amhurst Co. benefits if we stick together. Otherwise, it’s already a lost cause despite who takes the CEO position.”
Milla looked thoughtful.
