I didn’t answer.

Then a message from my father appeared. Emily, this has gotten out of control. Call me before you damage something important.

I read it three times.

Something important. Not my pain. Not my humiliation. Not the dinner. Not the family. The contract.

Nathan saw my expression. “What did he say?”

I handed him my phone. He read it, then carefully placed it back on the table. “There it is.”