SEVER Jane, Melissa (management books to read .TXT) 📖

that followed? Tell Blythe. No, don’t tell Blythe. She’s unstable. She’s—”

“She’s got things totally wrong,” Shawn interjects.

“So, what were you debating telling me? That you, husband, fought so much for me to remain in the dark?”

“I…” Sam begins. “I wanted to tell you about my work, the money, the situation I’m in.”

“Are you pregnant?” I turn to Shawn. “Did you get my sister pregnant?”

“No!” they reply in unison.

“You’re my fucking sister, Blythe, give me some credit. Shawn and I have been at loggerheads because I wanted to tell you how I was helped out. How this job literally stopped me from winding up on the street. How I now have the security of a home, a car, regular income—”

“I’m sensing a but…”

“It’s a big but. It’s all given as an advance. Estimated, it will take two years to pay off. I wanted to tell you all about it, but when Shawn found out I was working here, he begged me to keep it quiet. Well, I guess, now I know why. I didn’t know about the auctions. I didn’t know Shawn recruited young women. I didn’t know any of that. My time is mostly spent at Othello. I simply come here to make sure my clients are comfortable and happy.”

I exhale, relieved my sister is still of the same moral standing. Guilt wracks my soul. “So, you two aren’t having an affair?”

“Absolutely fucking not!”

So, Sam’s riches haven’t come from our joint bank accounts after all.

I meet Sam’s eyes, which not-so-subtly indicate for me to discuss matters with Shawn. I don’t want to because I won’t be able to wipe the snot from my nose when I cry. He, however, has other plans.

“I’m sorry, Blythe.”

“I feel like the apologies need to be saved for the women you bring here.”

“I never bring anyone against their will. They’re in full knowledge of the process and are happy to oblige.”

If my hands were free, I’d slap him.

“Are you kidding me? Did you not see the two girls brought out tonight? The first looked barely legal and drugged off her nut, and so did the third one. If you see that as consensual, then I don’t know what sort of monster you’ve become.”

“Everything is consensual. Some girls take the drugs prior because their nerves get the better of them.”

“Why are you even here, Shawn? Why the hell did you leave Usher and Gainsburg to come here and watch young women being auctioned off, whether it’s against their will or not?”

“Because I bought into something that it wasn’t. I was sold a dream and ended up with a fucking nightmare. Before I realized what was happening, I’d sunk myself into such a deep hole it wouldn’t matter how or when I escaped because I’m just as guilty as the next person here.”

“I’m happy you can admit it’s fucked up.”

“Blythe, it’s more than fucked up. That’s why I couldn’t tell you. I was approached with a business deal I thought could earn us millions. So, I bought into it. I was lied to, I was cheated. I was blackmailed. I was beaten when I tried to leave. That time I disappeared for three weeks straight, I was laid up in a hotel because I didn’t want you to see the state I was in.”

I feel my face pale. I had no idea about any of this. No fucking idea.

“This has been happening all year?”

He nods. “I learned quickly after that how far I could push the boundaries. All my… our assets, are tied to this place. Financial records will lead right back to us, and I couldn’t have you implicated in such a thing. Something I was only learning about myself. The whole endeavor became a rabbit hole full of the most fucked-up shit I’ve ever seen. And there’s no way I can get out of it.”

“You could have told me, Shawn.” Tears start to fall, and while I’m still mad over his poor decisions, he isn’t totally at fault. He’s been royally screwed over.

“I couldn’t tell you. There were threats made against your life if I did. I could never have allowed you to get hurt like that. So, I had to hurt you with my constant lies and behavior instead. If I told you, you would have looked at me with such disgust, and I couldn’t bear that thought.”

“Did you cheat on me with any of those girls?”

“Never. I flirted, but that was only to win their trust, but I never broke those boundaries. I wouldn’t do that to you, Blythe. I love you more than you can ever comprehend. I never stopped.”

While my heart surges at hearing the words I’ve longed to hear for so long and said with such sincerity, I’m wracked with so much soul-destroying guilt. Because I can’t say the same, despite wishing I could go back in time and undo it all.

“Blythe, please look at me.” I don’t even realize I’m crying but my chest aches and my cheeks are sodden. “Babe, please don’t cry. Just look at me.”

I swallow hard and meet his eyes which are loaded with hope.

Hope for an us.

An us that may not survive this, mentally or physically.

“I’m sorry, Shawn,” I say through broken sobs. He may have royally fucked up but so have I. “I’m so sorry for—”

“You don’t need to be sorry. I could see how much I was hurting you, and all those times I walked away leaving you in tears was because I just wanted to hold you in my arms. We can get through this, Blythe. We’ve always been a team, and we’ve always loved each other. We can get through this.”

“I don’t think we—”

“Do you still love me, Blythe? If you still love me, say it, and I promise we