Natalie's pov
“Yes… it is a merger.”
I stood completely frozen. Those words... they hurt more than they should have, confirming what I always suspected.
A merger.
Not a marriage.
What could Mr Lawley possibly want from my mother?
The silence stretched, then Kian spoke again. His voice was quieter this time, soft like he was saying this to himself rather than the person on the other line.
“...she's useful…”
My throat tightened.
I wasn't sure whether he meant my mother or myself.
Neither possibility felt good. A few seconds later, he laughed again. That same cold laugh.
“Trust me.”
His voice carried clearly through the hallway.
Something embarrassingly sharp settled inside my chest.
Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid.
It echoed in my head over and over and over again.
Kian ended th
