Chapter 2: The Morning the Cards Stopped Working
Julian's last words were still ringing in my ears when I finally set my phone face-down on the nightstand.
*You always think that just because you make more money than everyone else, you get to control the whole family.*
I didn't sleep much.
But when 8:00 a.m.
came, I was already dressed, sitting quietly at the balcony table with a coffee, watching the ocean.
My phone lit up at 8:14.
Julian.
I let it ring.
Then Eleanor called.
Then Victoria.
Then Julian again, three times in a row.
At 8:31, a text came through from Victoria:
*The breakfast charge was DECLINED.
Fix this right now, Genevieve.
People are staring.*
I read it once.
Set the phone down.
Picked up my coffee.
At 8:47, Julian appeared at my suite door.
I heard him before I saw him — his fist against the wood, hard and impatient.
I opened it.
His face was red.
His shirt was half-tucked.
He looked like a man who had never once been told no.
"You actually did it," he said, his voice low and disbelieving.
"I did."
"My mother is standing at the front desk right now being told her spa appointment is canceled.
Do you have any idea how embarrassing that is?"
I looked at him for a long moment.
"Yes," I said.
"I do."
He stepped closer.
"Fix it, Genevieve.
Right now.
Before this gets worse."
"It already got worse, Julian.
It got worse the moment you walked away and left me standing alone in that lobby."
He opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Then, very quietly, he said something I never expected.
"This wasn't my idea."
I went still.
"What did you just say?"
He looked away.
His jaw tightened.
May you like
And I realized — he wasn't angry anymore.
He looked afraid.
