Chapter 58

The next day, Reese took a half-day off and went to the cemetery.
A cool breeze carried the first hint of autumn, brushing against her cheeks as she crouched in front of Marie’s headstone. Her fingers traced the gentle, kind face in the photo, over and over.
“Mom, Uncle Dylon tanked the family company for a project. The courtyard house you left us is gone. They seized it and sold it to Sofia.
“But don’t worry. I swear I’ll find a way to get it back.
“What really breaks my heart is that Uncle could just throw away everything you and Grandpa built, all for one deal.
“Mom, do you think family really doesn’t matter at all when money’s involved?”
The woman in the photo smiled softly, but of course, offered no answer.
Reese covered her face with her hands. All the pain she’d been holding back finally spilled over, hot tears slipping through her fingers.
“Reese, I knew I’d find you here.”
A familiar voice, full of concern, made Reese freeze. She looked up to see Tara a few steps away, holding a bouquet of white daisies.
“What are you doing here?” Reese’s voice was stuffy and blunt, her eyes cool.
She didn’t buy for a second that Tara hadn’t known what Dylon was up to. Just like she didn’t believe Tara didn’t know how much it would hurt to see her and Zach together.
Tara set the flowers next to the headstone. “I figured you’d come. Some things don’t change you always came here whenever you were upset, even as a kid.”
“Reese, you’re grown up now. If you always come to Aunt Marie with your troubles, it would only worry her.”
Reese stared at her for a moment, pushing down the ache in her throat. “Where else am I supposed to go?”
“You and your family are all I have left. And even you turned your backs on me.” Some strange emotion flickered in Tara’s eyes. She spoke more softly.
“I know about the company. What my dad did was wrong. But you know how tough it’s been these past few years. He was never as capable as Aunt Marie. After she died, he had to keep the company going by himself.
“We were already about to go under. If he hadn’t taken that risk, and if he hadn’t gotten the Eastside project, the company would’ve gone bankrupt anyway.
“But now he has a new company, and the project. Things will get better. I’ve already talked to everyone. You’ll get fifteen percent of the new company. And after Ramos Corporation is liquidated, Zach and I will take care of whatever debts are left.”
She looked Reese right in the eye. “But the house is already in Sofia’s name. There’s just no way to get it back. The source of thɪs content is
“I can buy you a nice place downtown, as compensation. Is that okay?”
“Compensation?” Reese stood up, knees stiff from crouching too long. She wobbled a little before she found her balance.
“I don’t want your compensation. I just want my mom’s house back.”
“I’ve talked to a lawyer. I didn’t know anything about what Uncle Dylon did. He set me up. And there’s something off about the way he emptied out the company. I’m not just letting this go.”
Reese turned away, gaze passing through the scattered pines, only to meet a cold, steely stare.
Zach was leaning against a camphor tree a short distance away, cigarette balanced between his fingers. Smoke curled around his sharp features, hiding his expression.
Reese stepped to the side, trying to walk past him.
“Still as ungrateful as ever, Reese.”
Zach’s voice was rough, edged with smoke. “Tara’s been up all night over you. She fought with the family, didn’t sleep, and even though she’s pregnant, she rushed out this morning to find you. Do you even care?”
“She worries when you do. Even if you’re hurt by your uncle, that doesn’t mean you get to take it out on her.
“Are you trying to make everyone feel sorry for you?”
Reese stopped, lifted her head, and met his eyes with a bitter half-smile.
“They set me up, ruined my reputation, handed my mom’s house to the person I
hate most. And I’m not even allowed to feel hurt about it?
“If you’re so generous, why did you fight tooth and nail to get back the Wiles family business in the UK?
“You left me here alone, didn’t care what happened to me, watched me marry someone else, and ended up like this.”
Zach’s eyes narrowed. His knuckles went white around his cigarette, jaw tight with anger.
“You really know how to hit where it hurts, don’t you, Reese?”
“Zach!” Tara ran over and grabbed Zach’s arm, trying to hold him back before he lost his temper.