Chapter 14 - Sloane Turns on BlakeSloane learned about the board decision from Blake.
She reacted badly.
“Your father removed you from succession?”
“Temporarily.”
“Because of us?”
“Because of my judgment.”
“That’s his language.”
“It’s accurate.”
She stared.
“You’re agreeing with him now?”
“I made a bad investment decision.”
“You never made the investment.”
“I tried.”
“That matters?”
“Yes.”
Sloane laughed.
“This is exactly how they control you.”
Blake looked at her.
“No.”
“Blake.”
“No.”
He stood.
“I’m done calling every consequence control.”
Sloane’s face hardened.
“So this is my fault.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I signed off on the amendment.”
“Because you wanted independence.”
“I wanted three million dollars for your father.”
“For us.”
“No.”
Blake’s voice sharpened.
“For him.”
Sloane stepped back.
“You promised.”
“I promised to consider helping.”
“You knew what it meant.”
“I didn’t know he was twelve million in debt.”
Sloane looked away.
Blake continued.
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Most of it.”
He stared.
“And you let me walk into that lender dinner.”
“I thought you could help.”
“You used my last name.”
“Don’t be dramatic.”
The phrase stopped him.
His mother.
Sloane, I’m Blake’s mother.
Don’t be dramatic.
He heard it differently now.
“Sloane.”
“What?”
“You say that whenever someone’s reaction makes you uncomfortable.”
She frowned.
“No, I don’t.”
“You said it to Mom.”
“Because she was dramatic.”
“You said it to me when I found out about the debt.”
“That’s different.”
“It isn’t.”
Sloane grabbed her purse.
“I’m not going to stand here while your father turns you against me.”
Blake laughed.
“Dad didn’t make you slap Mom.”
Sloane froze.
“He didn’t make Charles use my name.”
Silence.
“He didn’t make you hide the debt.”
Her eyes filled.
“I was afraid.”
“So was I.”
She looked at him.
He continued.
“I was afraid of disappointing you.”
Sloane softened.
“Then why are you doing this?”
“Because fear doesn’t excuse everything.”
She sat.
For the first time, she looked tired.
Not glamorous.
Not controlled.
Just thirty-two and terrified.
“My family is going to lose everything.”
Blake sat across from her.
“I’m sorry.”
“That’s it?”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Help.”
“How?”
“Loan Dad the money.”
“I can’t.”
“You can.”
“No.”
“You could sell personal investments.”
“I could.”
Sloane stared hopefully.
Blake continued.
“I won’t.”
Her face changed.
“Why?”
“Because nobody has shown me a viable plan.”
“My father needs time.”
“He’s had time.”
“Blake.”
“I will pay for independent restructuring advice.”
Sloane stared.
“What?”
“I’ll fund professionals to review options.”
“That doesn’t save the company.”
“Maybe the company shouldn’t be saved.”
She stood.
“You sound like Harrison.”
“Maybe he’s right about some things.”
Sloane’s face hardened again.
“And what about me?”
“What about you?”
“If my family collapses, you think that doesn’t affect me?”
“Of course it does.”
“You think I can watch my parents lose their home?”
“No.”
“Then help.”
“I am offering help.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You’re offering analysis.”
“Yes.”
“Because Mercers love analysis when other people are suffering.”
Blake flinched.
She continued.
“You sit on millions.”
“They’re not mine to burn.”
“Your mother really got to you.”
Blake stood.
“Stop blaming her.”
Sloane stared.
“She is not in this room.”
“You brought her into this marriage.”
“No.”
Blake’s voice dropped.
“You did.”
Silence.
“You made my relationship with her a loyalty test because you needed me disconnected from anyone who might question what you wanted.”
“That’s insane.”
“Is it?”
Sloane’s eyes filled.
“I wanted my husband to choose me.”
“I did.”
He looked exhausted.
“At the wedding, I chose you when you were wrong.”
Sloane swallowed.
“And it made me worse.”
She whispered:
“So what happens now?”
Blake looked at his wedding ring.
“I don’t know.”
“Do you want a divorce?”
He didn’t answer quickly.
Sloane began crying.
Blake hated himself for the relief he felt.
Because her tears made her vulnerable.
And vulnerability made him want to rescue her.
He understood the pattern now.
He sat beside her.
“I’m not filing anything today.”
She nodded.
“But we need counseling.”
Sloane wiped her face.
“Fine.”
“And no financial discussions with your father unless I’m present.”
Her jaw tightened.
“Fine.”
“And you apologize to my mother.”
Sloane looked at him.
“No.”
Blake went still.
“I’m not doing some staged humiliation so she can feel victorious.”
“She doesn’t want victory.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes.”
He looked at her.
“For the first time, I think I do.”
Sloane stood.
“If that’s your condition, maybe there is no marriage.”
Blake’s face tightened.
“Maybe.”
She stared.
She had expected him to chase the sentence.
He didn’t.
That terrified her more than anger.
Sloane left.
Blake remained in the apartment.
His phone buzzed.
A message from Rebecca.
You need to see something before Sloane tells you another version.
Attached were screenshots.
The bridal group chat.
Blake opened them.
One line made him stop breathing.
Sloane: After Saturday, Evelyn won’t have leverage anymore.
Blake sat alone for nearly an hour.
Then he called his mother.
Evelyn did not answer.
May you like
This time—
he did not call again.
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