Maybe it was the rain, but Reese felt lightheaded. She turned down Annie''s invitation for dinner and took the elevator up to her apartment by herself.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw Rosie standing by her door. Reese hesitated, her brows drawing together.
Rosie forced a bright smile, fussing with the hem of her dress. "You''re finally home, Reese. I''ve been waiting forever."
Reese''s tone was t. "Is there something you need, Aunt Rosie?"
Rosie took her arm and gently pulled her aside, her voice soft and pretending to be close. "Tara told me you''re thinking about divorcing Sebastian, is that true?"
She let out a dramatic sigh, her expression full of fake concern. "Reese, you can''t make such a rash decision.
"We went through so much to hide that abortion from Sebastian, and you finally managed to make him lose interest in Sofia. That was your chance to secure your position.
"And now you want a divorce? Are you really going to throw away a life like this?"
Reese let out a coldugh, shaking Rosie''s hand off and leaning back against the doorframe, her eyes hardening. "If I don''t get divorced, what then? Wait for you all to use the baby against me again? Keep squeezing everything you can out of me?
"The Wiles family is already getting back on their feet with Zach in charge, and now that Tara''s engaged, you and Dylon have plenty of ways to get close to them. Why do you keeping after me?"
Rosie''s smile faded, her voice turning sharp. "How can you say that, Reese? In our eyes, you and Tara are the same.
"After
your mother died in that ident, it was your uncle and me who raised you. Now you''ve grown up and want to cut us off?"
She stepped closer, her voice rising. "I know you still me your uncle for what happened to the Ramos Corporation, for throwing away your grandfather and mother''s hard work.
“But family shouldn''t hold grudges. Didn''t we help you cover things up with Sebastian?
"If
f you divorce Sebastian now and make the Ratcliff family angry, what happens to your uncle''s new project?
"Are you really going to just walk away for your own happiness and leave us to deal with the fallout?"
Reese looked straight at Rosie''s
wounded act and clenched her fists. "Aunt Rosie; I haven''t forgotten everything the Ramos family did for me but also can''t forget how you sold out thepany just to please Sebastian and left me with the debts."
"You don''t have to say anything else. My decision''s made. No matter what, I''m divorcing Sebastian."
Realizing Reese wouldn''t budge, Rosie''s expression darkened. She lifted her hand, ready to p her.
"You ungrateful brat! Someone''s got to teach you a lesson-your mother would want me to!"
Reese reacted fast, grabbing Rosie''s wrist before the p couldnd.
Rosie tried to yank her hand back, shouting, "How dare you? You really think you can do whatever you want now?"
Right then, the elevator chimed and opened. Matthew stepped out holding a thermos, took one look at the scene, and rushed over, putting himself between Reese and Rosie.
Rosie froze when she saw Matthew, then her face turned bright red. She pointed at Reese, her voice shrill. "So this is why youre so desperate for a divorce! You''ve already found someone else! What if Sebastian finds out and decides to target us?"
Her re bounced between Reese and Matthew, clearly calcting her next
move.
Forget it, she thought. It''s better if Sebastian hears this from us. Maybe we''ll even get on his good side.
With that, she spun around and marched toward the elevator. Reese, knowing exactly what Rosie was up to, stepped out from behind Matthew and called after
her.
"He''s just a coworker. If you want to
be
to Sebastian about this,
must. But think about tel?
first can you really handle the
Ratcliff family anger
Rosie''s face went white. She opened her mouth to argue, but the elevator chimed again.
Sebastian was standing inside, still in his ck suit, rainwater dripping from his hair.
His eyesnded on the three of them, and the tension in the hallway suddenly felt as heavy as the storm outside.