Page 110 of Bid For Me
It’s not forgiveness. Not yet.
But it’s hope.
“I’m going to go now, but I wanted to leave you with this, and let you know that you’re welcome to use it anytime.”
Stepping forward I place a key on the counter, right on top of the shredded remains of all the bad decisions I’ve made when it comes to my relationship with Elle.
“W-what’s this?” She asks, swallowing hard.
“It’s the key to our house. Using it won’t mean you’ve forgiven me, but it’s always going to be yours no matter what. I couldn’t build a home without you in it. I love you, angel. Keep your eye on the news.”
In a moment of insanity, I lean forward and kiss her cheek, before forcing myself to pull away and leave.
It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
But what comes next will be the easiest.
Pulling the burner phone from my pocket, I hit dial on the only number in the call log.
“It’s time,” I say as soon as the line connects. “Release everything. Don’t hold back.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Elle
“Oh my god,have you seen it?”
Candy’s voice is a shriek, and before I can even process what’s happening, she barrels through my bathroom door like the world is ending.
“What the fuck? Candy!” I yelp, instinctively covering my breasts and sitting up to hide as much of my body from her as possible.
Maybe it’s time to ask for that key back.
“Don’t be such a prude!” she scoffs, unbothered, waving her phone in front of me like it’s a golden ticket. “Did you see the news yet?”
“I’m literally having a bath,” I grumble. “It was supposed to be relaxing.”
She flings a towel at me, nearly hitting me in the face. “Dry your hands! Quick! Watch this!”
I glare at her. “This better be important.”
“It is!” she says, her eyes wide with something between shock and glee. “Trust me, you’re going to want to see this.”
I grab the towel and wipe my hands before snatching the phone from her. The screen shows a news alert, the headline so glaring I have to blink twice to process it.
BREAKING NEWS: ALEXANDER STERLING-KNIGHT ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT AND CORPORATE FRAUD
My heart stops. “What the actual hell?”
Candy practically bounces on the balls of her feet, her excitement palpable. “I know, right? It’s everywhere! Watch the clip – they’ve got footage of him being dragged out of Sterling-Knight HQ in handcuffs!”
I hit play, and there it is: Alexander Sterling-Knight, impeccably dressed as always, but looking distinctly less composed than usual, being escorted down the gleaming steps of his company’s headquarters by two stern-faced officers. Cameras flash like strobe lights, reporters shouting questions that he doesn’t answer.
I gape at the screen.
“Apparently, he’s been under investigation for months,” Candy says, leaning in conspiratorially. “But there was ananonymoustip-off and suddenly a load of new evidence came to light and they made a move this afternoon. Something about funneling company funds into offshore accounts. Oh, and a bunch of shell companies, too. It’s bad, Elle. Like, potentially life-in-prison bad.”
I can’t tear my eyes away from the video. Alexander looks furious, like he’s one second away from snapping. But beneaththe anger, there’s something else – a glimmer of desperation, like he knows this isn’t just a PR nightmare.