Chapter 7

Matteo quietly put some distance between himself and Natasha. He glanced toward the door and said, "Your real boyfriend's here to collect you."

Before she could even turn around, Cameron naturally took her hand. "You weren't answering your messages. I got worried that something happened, so I came to check on you."

As he spoke, his gaze landed on Matteo. "You'll be home for the family dinner tomorrow night, right? Mom's really looking forward to having everyone together. Tasha and I were thinking of taking the chance to discuss our wedding."

Matteo's eyes dropped to their tightly clasped hands. "It's your family dinner. I'm not interested."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Cameron watched his retreating back, something cold and unreadable flickering in his eyes. When he finally looked away, he realized Natasha was still staring in the direction Matteo had gone, zoned out.

"Tasha."

She snapped out of it. "Yeah?"

"Let's go home. You look tired." He pulled her into his arms and led her outside.

Matteo was about to call a rideshare after leaving the club when Abigail's driver stopped him. "Mr. Fulton, Ms. Pearce said that you two are leaving together. Please wait in the car."

He was about to agree when his phone rang. His expression darkened when he saw the caller ID, but he still answered.

"Why isn't the deal with the Pierce family moving forward yet? Your stepfather's been tied up with overseas business and doesn't have time to handle it. Since you and Ms. Pierce are already married, hurry up and lock the important stuff down."

Melinda's tone was high and mighty. She completely disregarded how Matteo might feel.

"I can talk to the Pierce family about the deal, but…"

Standing off to the side, Matteo had a clear view of Cameron gently helping Natasha down the steps and into the car. They looked disgustingly in love.

His hand tightened around the phone as he forced his emotions back down.

"But what?"

He dragged his gaze away, his voice firm. "I want 30% of Dad's company's shares, and I want Stillwater Estate back."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line. After a while, Melinda let out a helpless sigh.

"Your dad did originally leave Stillwater Estate to you, but Cameron hardly ever asks me for anything. I feel bad turning him down…"

"I rarely ask you for anything, either. Does this mean you're gonna turn me down?" Matteo cut in.

In the past, if he'd sensed the slightest dilemma from Melinda, he would've given in. He would've swallowed the loss and played the dutiful son.

But now, he'd finally realized that being too nice just made it easy for people to push him around. He'd been agreeable for so long that it was no wonder everyone thought they could walk all over him.

No one's life was supposed to be this suffocating. From now on, he was going to take back everything that should've been his.

"Matteo, you're my own son, after all. I can give you Stillwater Estate, but don't you think you're being a little greedy, asking for that many shares?" Melinda asked.

She kept a tight grip on Matteo's father's company, but she had no idea how to actually manage it. It was basically rotting on the vine. If things went on like this, it would really go under.

Matteo had never really had a clear goal in life. Before, all he'd wanted was a simple life with Natasha. Now, he wanted to protect everything his father had built.

"Mom, those shares were always partly mine. You know that as well as I do. If you won't give them to me, then I'm not gonna do anything about the deal with the Pierce family."

Melinda's irritated voice shot back through the line. "Is that how you talk to your own mother?"

"I just want what's fair."

"Fine. Close the deal with the Pierces, and I'll give you the shares. Don't let me down!"

She hung up.

The cold night air whipped around Matteo, but he just smiled. He looked up at the bright moon. For a split second, he almost saw his father's face there.

"Have you been waiting long?"

The familiar voice made him return to his senses.

Matteo turned to see Abigail standing beside him in a thin outfit. Without thinking, he shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it around her shoulders, albeit a little awkwardly. "You're not wearing enough. You'll catch a cold."

She smiled and deliberately stepped closer, then leaned in toward his ear. "Look to your left."

Puzzled, he glanced over, only to meet Natasha's icy stare head-on. She was standing there, her eyes locked on him.

"She looks really mad," Abigail murmured, still sounding amused. "But honestly, how can anyone love two people at the same time?"

She casually slipped her arm through his, boldly meeting Natasha's gaze as well. She said, "Come on. Let's go home."

With that, she pulled Matteo into the car.

On the ride back, Matteo mulled over how to bring up the business deal. Abigail, on the other hand, slumped back in her seat, clearly tipsy.

The car sped along smoothly, and she slept like a rock. At some point, Matteo felt a sudden weight on his shoulder. He stiffened and instinctively looked down.

Abigail was fast asleep and leaning against him, breathing evenly.

He rarely saw her like this. They hadn't known each other long, but most of the time, she was an unapproachable ice queen—a decisive and sharp-minded woman who was very much her own person and never wishy-washy.

She was quick and razor-edged, but she never threw her weight around. She was even… surprisingly considerate.

Now, she was just sleeping there. Moonlight spilled over her delicate features; it felt like time itself had hit pause.

"Doesn't your neck hurt?"

Matteo was still spacing out when Abigail suddenly spoke. He jolted back to reality, realizing he'd actually been staring at her for several seconds.

Her eyes stayed closed as she rested, but it was like she could feel his embarrassment. The corners of her lips tugged up in a faint smile.

…

When Cameron got home, he was surprised to find Fred and Melinda still in the living room. He seemed to realize what this was about and sat down between them with an easy smile, the atmosphere almost suspiciously warm and cozy.

"Mom, Dad, it's late. Were you waiting up for me?" he asked.

"Oh, you. We knew you had a dinner party tonight and were worried you might've had too much to drink, so I made you something for a hangover. Drink it, then go get a good night's sleep so you don't wake up with a headache tomorrow." Melinda smiled gently and handed him the bowl.

"Thanks, Mom. You're always looking out for me." Cameron had just taken a sip when he heard her speak again, this time hesitantly.

"Cameron, I've been looking at a few houses the last couple of days. Some of the places are really nice, and they have great views. How about I buy one for you?"

He paused mid-sip, his mind instantly flashing to Stillwater Estate.

"Why, though? I really like Stillwater Estate. It's quiet there, and it always makes me feel rested," he said casually.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just think Stillwater Estate is too old and isn't good enough for you. I'd rather buy you something new, so you're not shortchanged."

"Mom, did Matteo say something to you? You look kinda troubled." Cameron took her hand. His words made her eyes go red.

"He did. He asked me for Stillwater Estate. It was something his dad promised him back then, and I can't exactly say no…"

It was just as Cameron had expected. He hadn't expected Matteo's ambition to grow big enough to start reaching for what was already his.

"But… what if I say I'm not giving it up?"