Accidentally Crossing the Tycoon
Chapter 107
“Well,” she said, clearing her throat and reaching for her wine glass, “speaking of marriages, Clara is getting married to Finley.”
I furrowed my brow, momentarily thrown by the abrupt change of subject. “Finley?”
Seeing my confusion, Audrey tilted her head.
“I thought the Thorntons and Coles were close business associates. How do you not know that Finley is part of the Cole family?”
“Wait–Finley? The gallery owner?” I leaned back slightly.
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“I know the Coles had a younger son who left home when he was barely out of his teens–something about pursuing artistic freedom and
rejecting the family business. I just never connected that Finley was that son.”
I shook my head, almost amused at the coincidence.
“Ethan mentioned his brother once or twice in passing, but never by name. Said he’d chosen art over finance and their father nearly
disowned him.”
“That’s him,” Audrey confirmed.
A thought suddenly occurred to me. “Is that how you found out? About Samuel West?”
Audrey shook her head. “No, not exactly. Clara mentioned that Finley uses his mother’s maiden name professionally–to distance himself
from the Cole family influence.”
She met my eyes directly.“She also mentioned that you have a name based on your maternal surname, too. Samuel.”
“You’re brilliant,” I said, genuine admiration in my voice.
Then my expression grew serious. “Now that you know I’m Samuel… do you hate me?”
The question hung in the air between us.
“I was the reason for that contract marriage. Indirectly, I caused that tragedy in your life,” I added, my voice quieter.
Audrey remained silent for a long moment, her eyes fixed on some distant point beyond me.
When she finally spoke, her voice was measured and calm.
“No, I don’t hate you,” she said.
18:28 Sat, Jan 31
Chapter 107
“If it hadn’t been you, it would have been someone else. With Sienna returning home at that time…”
She shook her head slightly. “I was always going to be the sacrifice in some form. That’s how the Bailey family operates.”
The resignation in her voice touched something in me.
I studied her face, thinking about her history with the Baileys.
“Speaking of family,” I said carefully, “The foster family Sienna stayed with in Connecticut–were they your biological parents?”
Her fork paused halfway to her mouth.
“No,” she said after a moment. “Margaret insisted everyone take DNA tests at the time. None of us matched.”
“Have you ever thought about finding them? Your biological parents?” I asked, studying her face carefully.
Audrey set her fork down with deliberate precision.
“After so many years, what would be the point? Everyone has moved on with their lives.”
Her voice took on a practical tone, but her eyes betrayed something deeper.
“Besides, finding them might not even be a good thing. Some doors are better left closed.”
She paused, her expression pensive.
“Not all reunions have happy endings. I’m content with my life as it is now. That’s enough for me.”
I studied her for a moment, seeing through her practiced indifference,
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I said softly, “You’re afraid of loss. Afraid that finding something means risking losing it all over again. Isn’t it?”
Something in her expression made my chest tighten.
“But there’s another perspective,” I said, swirling my wine gently.
“I have a friend who lost his sister when they were both very young. All these years, he’s never stopped searching for her.”
“He checks every lead, follows every possibility. The thought that she’s out there somewhere, maybe living a completely different life, not
knowing she has a brother who misses her…”
I let my voice trail off, watching her reaction carefully.
18:28 Sat, Jan 31
Chapter 107
Audrey forced a smile, and her voice was light.
:
“Well, she’s certainly lucky then–to have someone who cares that much.”
“Yes,” I agreed, meeting her gaze directly. “Some people can’t move on until they find what they’ve lost.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
