Money Power 9

Landon’s POV

Does it make me a hypocrite if I say I miss her? Would you even believe me, knowing I was the one who pushed her away? I ignored her, I made her feel like nothing.

And now, here I am, tearing through every corner of this city like she’s everything.

I couldn’t sleep, not even close. The pregnancy test still sat on my desk like it was mocking me. Right next to it was her wedding ring. Both untouched, both screaming louder than any words could.

I didn’t move, and drink. I didn’t blink for long stretches of time. I just sat there, watching every piece of my ignorance unravel right in front of me. And once it started, I couldn’t stop the memories from flooding in.

Her voice echoed in my head. The way she used to softly ask, “Do you have time to talk?” Like she was trying not to be a burden.

The way she stopped asking when I never did. The dark circles under her eyes. The way her smile started to disappear. The way her silence turned deafening. I missed it all.

I remembered the night she tried to cook dinner.

It was late. I had just come back from a board meeting, pissed off and starving. She stood there in the kitchen, apron on, hair tied back, table set for two. Her eyes looked nervous but hopeful.

“I thought I’d try making that Venezuelan dish you said you liked in college,” she said, biting her lip. “Arepas. It might be too dry, I’m still figuring it out.”

I didn’t even look at the plate. “I already ate,” I muttered, brushing past her like she was part of the decor.

She didn’t argue. Just smiled, small and stiff, like it didn’t hurt. I didn’t look back. Didn’t see the way she quietly threw out the food when I went upstairs.

Or the time she decorated for my birthday. Nothing big, a few balloons in the hallway, and a card with my name on the counter.

“Did you open the card?” she asked.

“I don’t have time for romantic letters. Just throw it away. I’m busy, Emery.”

“Oh… Okay then.” Her face fell. She tucked the card away and never brought it up again. Never did anything for my birthday after that, either.

By morning, I was still in the same chair, same clothes, same fog. The staff had set the breakfast table like it was just another Tuesday.

My mother sat at the head, reading the paper. Lily was buttering toast like nothing happened. I walked in silently and sat down.

“You look awful, darling,” my mother said, barely glancing up from her paper. I didn’t respond. She sighed and folded it.

“Oh, so now you care?” I looked up slowly.

“She was never right for you anyway. A girl like that? Please. She couldn’t even hold your attention, let alone raise a child properly.” I didn’t move. My jaw tightened.

Lily chimed in between bites of toast. “Are we even sure the baby’s yours?”

That was it. I shoved the chair back so hard it screeched across the floor. The room went silent.

“Don’t you ever talk about her like that again!”

My mother looked up, surprised, her brows raised like I had lost my mind.

“You never treated her like family. You belittled her every chance you got. And she took it. She tried. Every single day, she tried to fit into a world that hated her.”

“Landon, be reasonable-”

“No! I won’t be reasonable. Not about this. You want to know why she left? Because this house, this family, broke her. You broke her.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “She was too sensitive. Always looking for pity.”

I slammed my hand on the table so hard the silverware jumped. “Shut up, Lily! She was kind. She was gentle. And none of us. None of us deserved her!”

No one said anything. My mother looked stunned, but I didn’t care anymore. I walked out without another word and headed straight into my office. I picked up my phone, opened a secure line, and dialed.

“Remington,” the voice on the other end answered.

“I need a trace. Fast. Discreet. No family involvement.”

A pause. “You’re finally ready to look for her?”

“Yes,” I said. My voice didn’t waver. “Yes, I am.”

“Got it. I’ll be in touch.”

I ended the call and looked at the test again. That one word: Pregnant.

It felt like both a dagger and a lifeline. I missed my chance to be there when she needed me most. But I wasn’t going to miss my chance to make it right.

Wait for me, Emery. Please. Just wait for me.