but maybe.” I look up to the heavens and all but pray for her. “But hopefully it will get through to you.”
“Like I need—”
I growl, “Shut up and listen, Nellie.”
She gasps, and I continue. “Coming back here felt like eight years of my life had been wasted. I was not only heartbroken, but I felt like I had failed. All those years of study and hard work. Don’t you get that?”
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t need any of your sisterly advice; that ship has sailed. Go.” She points to the stands. “You look like a groupie. Next thing I’m going to hear is that you’re living with him in his loft, and he gave you a job.”
My face flushes and her jaw drops, her eyes widening. “Oh. My. God.” She laughs out loud like my life is the biggest joke she’s ever heard. “Don’t even say it.”
I lift my chin. “It’s not like that.”
“Girl, you will never learn.” She gives me a disgusted look, turns, and walks away. Under her breath, I hear her mumble, “You’re not better than us. Once a whore, always a whore.”
That’s it! My patience is up! “What did you just say?”
She turns around, smirking. “You heard me.”
“I am an independent woman. I graduated from Cornell…”
“Like, four years ago!”
“I graduated from Cornell and had an excellent job. The fact that my fiancé owned the company had no bearing on what I did or how I handled my work.” More to myself than to her, I yell, “I am qualified!”
“Sure you are.” She smirks and begins to step away.
I grab her hand and spin her around. “You live at home, drive a fucking Mercedes, and have fake tits! Don’t you judge, Nellie!”
She yanks her arm from me. “Someone had to stick around so that the family business, one our fathers’ and their parents built, didn’t flop! And don’t you judge my choice of vehicles, where I live, or even my fake tits, Nikki! You’re not the only one that wanted better, but you’re the only one who got out. You’re the only one who got to live and make your dream come true!”
“You could have gone to college—”
“And I was going to, but Gran’s heart got weak, and Grandpa was ready to sell. My parents have poured everything into that place and raised us. And now, Mom has—” She snaps her mouth shut.
“What?” I step closer to her, my heart thumping.
“Don’t even act like you care.”
“Oh my God, Nellie, I do, but you keep pushing me further and further away.”
“Her arthritis is near crippling, and Dad—” Again, she stops.
“Nellie, I’m right here, tell me.”
“Like it’ll matter.”
“Like I won’t do whatever I can to help.”
“His back, his neck, his shoulders, he doesn’t have it in him either. I’ve heard them talk about selling, and if they do, where will they be? They’d barely be able to pay for the retirement home for our grandparents! They’d probably have to sell the house, and then I highly doubt that downsizing would even allow them to live comfortably.”
“Then you hire more—”
“We can’t afford it! Hell, we can barely afford you, but that place is part yours, so—”
“What do you mean it’s part mine?”
“Our fathers and grandparents owned it equally. When they retired, it was left to my father and you. How did you not know that?”
“I own part of Winterfield’s Sweet Spot?” I almost laugh, my shock so great.
“Technically, not until Gran and Grandpa leave this earth.” She shakes her head. “It still has to pay for their bills, too. So, don’t think you’re going to be some rich girl.”
“I should slap the bitch out of you, but like I said, you’re family.”
She gasps, and frankly, I do too. I’ve never let loose like this before, but God, it feels so good! “Oh, please, Nellie,” I continue. “Don’t mistake my kindness and the fact I’ve let you be a bitch since I came home, let you think you can kick me. I’m stronger than you can even imagine.” And for the first time, I feel like it’s true. I’ve been through a lot, but I’ve lived through it all. My parents' death, studying non-stop to earn and keep my scholarship, moving to New York City despite not knowing a soul other than Townes. Even the end of my relationship with Townes—I’m proud of myself for pulling through.
“So now that you see dollar signs, you’re staying, right?”
“No, Nellie. Actually, now I feel like less of a burden to this family. Clearly,