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Gunnar was watching me again.
Is he getting off on my misery?
“You’ve been spying on my parents?”
“I investigate everyone in our lives; it’s how we attempt to stay ahead of the next lawsuit.” He flipped the pages to a table and showed me collection agencies and rows of debt with my parents’ names next to them.
My stomach soured seeing all the debt problems my parents kept from me. Things had been much worse than I had thought. “That’s enough.”
Gunnar reluctantly closed the folder. “Okay. Now that you understand your situation better, I’m prepared to offer you a solution. Paul is already involved with the hospital, so you won’t have to worry about your dad’s medical bills. He’ll fast-track the payment from the plant settlement. As for you, Crane Enterprises (C.E.) is willing to give you three million dollars. Your arrangement also includes one of our apartments, but not the Hudson. If you choose to sell, C.E. is the only company allowed to buy it.”
He removed my plate, then placed a contract and a check with my name on the table.
“I’ve added a financial consulting fee to this contract to help invest the money wisely for profit. I’ll electronically transfer the full amount to you before we reach NYC. We can discuss the apartment later.”
“You’ll do all of this for what?” I asked, but of course, I knew his answer.
“Just sign the contract, and you can put your affair with Paul behind you. Hell, you left already, so the money will only make your decision easier.”
My hand tightened with an urge to slap Gunnar, but I folded my arms and took a deep breath to calm my pulse and hot blood. Without a doubt, three million dollars could solve all our financial problems, and then some. However, taking the money would invalidate my feelings for Paul. I’d be no more than a gold digger after his money. Paul must have known Gunnar would speak with me today. Was this what he called a compromise?
My stomach twisted in knots.
“Paul wants to buy me off to go away?” my voice wavered.
“No, but be honest with yourself, Nadia. You left him because it was too much. Take the money and go. No hard feelings. Paul will understand.”
Gunnar meant that Paul would understand because that was what he learned from reading about me. I was poor and desperate, which meant it wouldn’t take much to make me do something for money to ruin Paul’s reputation. The money could be more than I’ll ever make and could save us. It would also cut me up inside to turn it down because my family needed me.
My insides crumbled, and tears stung my eyes. It took me a few tries before I could speak.
“Paul would believe I was always out for his money. He’d be hurt like I am right now. I don’t want your buyout, and frankly, I am insulted by your offer. Paul deserves so much better than that.”
“We both agree that he does—”
“And what you mean by ‘better’ is someone other than me? Not that you care, but I ran because I wanted Paul to show his feelings for me, even a little, so I wouldn’t feel so alone in how much I care for him. I left because it hurts me to take money for being with him and how low his family thinks of me. I got into this to help my parents; I don’t want anything for myself. But Paul is now offering me money to go away—”
“Ioffered you money as part of the company; Paul doesn’t know about it yet. It’s not only because you’re poor. Aubrey was poor, too. And she was never in an arrangement with him. Paul wanted to teach her about life, but I knew he was in love with her, and she’d eventually get everything. I never offered money to a woman in an arrangement. I had their signed contracts and a whole legal team ready to fight them whenever it ended. You should be grateful—”
“I’m not,” I hissed. “I still don’t want the money. You pretend to be helpful, but you’re cruel. Yes, I’m poor, and my family may lose everything….” my voice cracked, and I took a deep breath.
Us Sokols will work it out.Those were the words my mom said, but was she being just as naïve as I was? Believing it would all work out?Maybe so. But we have our dignity.
“I’d rather leave with nothing than take money to leave Paul. You may not believe it, but I care about him deeply. Please sit somewhere else. I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”
Gunnar sighed and put the contract away. “My intention wasn’t to hurt you but to help you, Nadia. You want something Paul will never give you, trust me. I’ve known him all his life. Hechosethis for you. I offered you money because you’ve had a hard life. You did this for your family, and I don’t want you emotionally damaged after all you’ve suffered.”
I snorted in derision. “You give me three million dollars because you feel sorry for me?Right.”
“Seeing you now…that face, that body. Goddamn. I was about to rob you.”
I was mid-slap when his hand caught me. “Sorry. That was a compliment. More or less. But you need to come to your senses. His mom, Dani, may pretend to be a New-Age Feminist Hippie, but she’s part of New York City’s elite. She’ll never accept you. All his friends are successful and established in their careers. You’re what, a freshman in college? Seriously, what do you have to offer Paul besides sex? Sure, he’s dying for it now, but that fades, too. What can you give him after that?”
I struggled to catch my breath as tears poured down my face.I’ll never be good enough.
“Please, stop crying.” Gunnar’s voice held alarm, but there was something else in his gaze.Desire? After making me cry?
Gunnar held out a cloth for me to take, which I pushed away as I dug in my purse for tissues.
