leaf. I don’t know why my mom has a safety deposit box here, but I hope I find answers.
“What is the number?”
“1218,” the month and day I was born.
“Here we are,” she says, unlocking the silver door and sliding out the box. She walks to a nearby room for privacy and sets it on the table. “I’ll give you a moment.”
“Thank you,” I say.
When she shuts the door, I stare at the box that holds something I never thought existed. My hand shakes as I lift the key and I insert it, turn, and unlock it. I blow out a breath when it works. For some reason, I didn’t expect for it to.
I open it and find a few stacks of cash, a few photos, and her Will. It’s on the bottom of the box and when I lift it, I read what it says. “Oh my god,” I say with shock.
Everything was left to me. It isn’t my father that is wealthy, it was my mom. My mom comes from old money. My great-grandpa had an oil company that made billions. Not only was the house left in my name, but the money too.
Six billion dollars.
That’s what was left for me.
And my father took it.
I’m going to fucking ruin him.
I stuff everything in my pockets and slam the deposit box shut. The first thing I’m doing is hiring a lawyer and pressing charges against my father. I’ll call the Chief of Police too to handle the matter.
My life is forever changed. I’m going to take care of Diana, Holly, Abby, and her sister. The first thing I’m going to do it buy a ring and tomorrow, I’m going to ask her to marry me. I finally get to be in control of my life.
And I’m going to try like hell to make sure Abigale Knight is a part of it.
Epilogue
Abby
I drag my feet through a foot of snow as I head toward English class. I dropped Bryce’s Economic class. I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing him every day knowing how much he hates me and dealing with how much I love him. I’m not strong enough.
I’m still thinking about transferring, but Lucy wants to stay with Dad for some reason. She forgave him so easily, but I haven’t. I don’t know how to.
“Oh, wow, check it out.”
“I wonder who the lucky lady is to land Professor Marshall,” A few girls say as they walk by me.
I lift my head and gasp when I see red rose petals dropped along the surface of the snow. There is a small fire going in a firepit and small lights dangling from the trees. He is in a suit wearing a damn tie even though he hates them so much.
Dragging myself forward, it begins to snow again, and the flakes stick to my lashes. When I get close enough, I can feel the warmth of the fire, and Bryce and I stare at one another.
“I’m sorry,” we say at the same time.
“I love you,” we say again, this time we laugh.
“Abigale Knight,” he says, pulling out a blue box from his suit pocket. He kneels, sinking in the snow. He must be freezing.
“Bryce, what—”
“I love you,” he says, and people start to gather around to watch the scene unfold. “We met in Mexico, and I know it is fate that brought you to me. I don’t think having you as a student was a chance but destiny. I don’t care if I get fired or lose my job. I want to be with you.” He opens the box and a huge diamond ring shines back at me. It has a rose gold band and setting, but the diamond itself is alone, a big solitaire that looks like it will take up my entire finger. “Will you marry me in Mexico?”
My mouth drops open. I look around to see dozens of students watching and girls with big smiles on their face. Charlie is to the right and she gives me a thumbs up, but I know she’s going to want all the details.
“But my dad—”
“I don’t care,” he says. “My dad tore us apart and I’m sorry. He isn’t a part of my life anymore. He has been arrested. I’ll tell you everything later but be my wife. Travel with me, love me, start a family with me. I want you, Abby. Forever.”
“You’re serious?” I know I should have said yes by now but a part of me is thinking I’m dreaming. This