“Fuck it.” I answer the call. “Hi, Mom.” I fake a smile as I act happy.
“Darling, what’s happening?”
“Nothing, we’re just super tired, and I want Hayden to settle in a little. Can we reschedule lunch for in a few days’ time?”
She stays silent and calculating. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Hayden just found out who I am, and it’s . . . a lot.”
“She’s overwhelmed?”
“Yes.”
“I hope you’re being patient with her.”
I stay silent.
“I can’t imagine how upsetting it would have been if I found out your father had lied to me for twelve months.”
“I didn’t lie, Mom.”
“Yes, you did, Christopher. Blatantly.”
Ugh, not in the mood for a lecture. “I’m going.”
“Call me later.”
“Okay.” I widen my eyes. “Fine.” Last thing I need is another woman busting my balls. I hang up in a rush.
“What are you going to do now?” Tristan asks.
“I don’t know . . .” I shrug.
Jameson smiles into his coffee. “I suggest groveling.”
HAYDEN
I lie in bed and stare at the wall. I feel terrible. Heartbroken and sad.
I’ve cried all night.
The man that I’m desperately in love with doesn’t exist, and I don’t even know what’s real anymore.
Twelve months of deceit.
If he lied about who he is, what else has he lied about?
I keep going over and over our fight last night and how badly it got out of control. How furious I was and the horrible things that I said. I have no idea why his bedroom triggered me . . . all I know is that it did.
And maybe that’s my insecurities, which are my problem and not his. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I am discriminatory against wealthy people? Maybe I really do have preconceived ideas about how they are? I mean . . . I don’t know any, so I have no idea why I’m so angry about it.
I just need some time alone to think about things and what it means for my future.
Knock, knock sounds softly on the door before it opens a smidge. “Hayz?” Christopher asks. “Can I come in?”
“Yeah.”
He comes into view, and his face falls when he sees me. “Baby,” he says softly, “look at your eyes.” He sits on the bed beside me and brushes the hair back from my face as he looks down at me. “I’m so sorry. I hate that I’ve upset you.”
Unexpected tears fill my eyes again, and I blink to try to stop them coming.
Stop crying.
“I should have been the adult last night,” he says as his eyes search mine. “And I should have told you sooner.”
“Why did you lie?” I whisper.
He stares at me for a moment before answering and then exhales heavily. “This won’t make any sense to you, and it doesn’t excuse my behavior at all. But . . . everyone in my life knows me as the billionaire Miles Media heir.”
“You’re a billionaire?” I frown.
“You like how I just snuck that in there?”
“Not really.”