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“What?” Ava stormed through the dance floor, breaking up multiple couples, including Emilie and Dean. Finn followed a few steps behind, more reluctantly. “Why are you giving me an ultimatum?”
“I better go check on her.” Emilie gave Dean a regretful look.
“I’ll come, too. Maybe I can help.” She gave him a wary glance, but nodded. The two dashed off to where people were staring. They found Ava at the bar on the ship, Finn a few steps away.
“Give me a drink that will make me forget today.” Ava’s sickly cheerful voice was more of a growl.
Emilie came up behind her. “Is everything okay? What happened?”
Ava swiveled around in the chair and glared. “Does it look like everything’s okay? If it was, would I have just ruined this event?”
Dean gave Ava a warning glance as Finn pulled him aside. “What happened? I’m guessing the talk from earlier didn’t go well.”
Finn ran a hand through his hair and peered over Dean’s shoulder at Ava. “I made a mistake by telling her.”
Dean fished for more of the story. “What did you tell her?”
Finn sighed and sat down, his back to everyone. Dean sat a chair away, a little hesitant. If Dean pushed him, he’d get nothing. After a minute, Finn leaned closer and whispered. “You heard me earlier. I’m giving up my inheritance and giving her an ultimatum. Either she accepts me for who I am as a middle-class person with no extra perks, or she admits she is marrying me for my money.”
Dean checked on Emilie. She stood by the bar while Ava downed her drink. He focused on Finn again, who was equally miserable. He lowered his voice so the women wouldn’t hear. “Brave move. It’s scary, but this way you’ll find the truth.”
Finn’s mother pushed into the room, panting hard. She put her hands on her knees, a sight to see in her tailored suit and skirt. A couple tried to cross in front of her, but she pushed them aside. “Move out of the way.”
She stalked up to Finn and yanked him to his feet by the collar. “You’re giving up your inheritance… for her.”
Finn’s face paled. “Mom. I was going to talk to you.”
“You ungrateful son.” Sharon’s hand sliced through the air, smacking Finn’s cheek. His head whipped to the side on impact. He held his red cheek and dropped his head. “Since day one, I told you not to get involved, not to take her in. But did you listen to me? No, instead you turn your back on our family. You should’ve never involved yourself with that girl.” She grabbed him by the ear and pulled him from the room. “Let’s see what your father thinks about all this.”
Ava turned in time to see Finn’s exit. As soon as the door swung shut, she burst into tears. “See how she treats me?”
Emilie gave Dean a desperate look as she patted Ava’s back. “Why?” She mouthed the word. He blew out a slow breath, worried to disturb the heavy tension in the air.
“Would you marry him if you knew he was broke?” Emilie’s voice pierced the silence.
Ava looked up at her with mascara-streaked cheeks.
“Not even you are on my side? I didn’t date Finn for his money!”
“Then why did you?”
Ava’s desperation turned to a glower. “I don’t have to explain my love to anyone.” She stood up and pushed away from the bar stool. “I’m going to find Finn and tell him he’s all I need.” She stormed out of the room without another word.
Emilie turned to Dean and gave a weak laugh. “I hope you’re not dating me for my money.”
He laughed, despite the situation. “Definitely not. Let’s get out of here.”
27
Emilie
Emilie stared miserably at the hotel door where Dean stood, a bag in his hand. “Do you really have to go? A whole day without you? What will I do?”
Dean tapped his watch. “I still can’t believe they moved up the wedding a day. Since everything else is cancelled, it doesn’t make sense for me to stay if my crew needs me. Hang out with Ava. I’m sure she’ll need some… guidance.”
Emilie collapsed on the arm of the chair next to the door and embraced his waist, not wanting him to leave. “It’s hard to believe Finn’s parents cancelled all the events but not the wedding. I think they’re hoping it hurts Ava. You promise you’ll be back in time for the big day?”
He moved out of her hug and knelt next to her chair to give her a proper hug. “If not earlier, I’ll definitely be here the morning of the wedding. Wouldn’t miss that train wreck for the world.”
