Richard bowed his head down. His grip on the cutlery loosened and the metal knife and fork dropped to the plate with a clink. He slumped back in his seat. “I guess you didn’t love me as much as I do.”

Valerie weighed her words but before she could say anything, Richard said, “I’m sorry if I’ve done anything wrong. I know I can get a bit possessive.”

If “a bit” referred to the tip of the iceberg called possessiveness, then she agreed with him. This tactic was common too - admitting a small part of his flaws and making the claim that he could change.

Richard sucked in a shaky breath. “Ever since my grandma died, I felt so alone. My mum and dad were never there for me. Always on business trips. You know that, right? You met them before.”

The sob backstory, yes. She knew that by heart. Little boy Richard growing up amongst servants and maids. Not knowing the power of love until he met her. And so, he couldn’t afford to lose her.

“I can’t lose you, Val.” His voice cracked with emotion. “I don’t know what I will do without you.”

She knew what he would do. Move on to another woman that could stimulate him. But her? She would be a nobody chasing a dream. Her chest constricted at the thought of it but she forged on. It was better this way than to be with someone who would strip away her freedom and her sense of self. 

Leaning forward, she covered his hand with hers. Her tone was soothing, almost motherly. “You’re a great man, Richard. There will be many girls out there who will love you better than I ever could.”

“That’s the thing. Val, you’re different.” Richard interlaced his fingers with hers. “You’re bold. Strong. Unafraid.”

She assumed a grateful, poignant smile. His pity card hadn’t worked, so out came the flattery.

“And you have such big dreams,” he said. “You inspire me.”

“Richard-”

“Are you sure about this?”

She paused. Was she ready to do this? Would she be able to see her dreams through without Richard’s help? And give up the chance to be with a rich and caring guy? As she stared into his eyes, she realized how unfathomable his dark irises were. Mysterious, yes. But cunning and manipulative too. 

She had always felt she would never truly understand him. In the beginning, that intrigued her. Now, she saw that for what it was. A lack of trust.

Sucking in a breath, she said, “Yes, I am. I feel as terrible as you do but this is for the best.”

Richard searched her eyes for a trace of hesitation. When he found none, he leaned back in his seat. His hand retracted from hers and reached up to wipe a tear from his eyes. “I see.”

Valerie let out a soft breath that she didn’t even know she was holding.

“It’s such a shame. I thought we could do great things together,” Richard said.

“I did too.”

“I thought you would be a great personal stylist. Even a fashion designer.”

Valerie’s heart stilled. “What do you mean?”

Richard wiped a hand down his cheeks. Fatigue washed over his face. “I don’t think I can be your backer anymore. I don’t have the heart to recommend you to my friends anymore. Or anyone in the fashion industry for that matter. Every time I see your handiwork, it would be a painful reminder of what we had. And that would kill me.”

The words coming out of his mouth were so preposterous that Valerie let out a humorless laugh. “What are you saying? You can’t mean that.”

“It hurts me that I do.” A flicker of a smile passed across his lips. “My family has a finger in every area of the fashion industry. Even a whisper of what you do will reach me. And I’m not sure I can handle that.”

A wave of anger crashed over Valerie. Red tinted her cheeks as she tried to keep it together. Her voice wavered with barely held back emotion. “Are you threatening me right now?”

“No, no. Nothing like that. That would be underhanded.”

“Then what?” she spat.

“I’m merely saying that I can no longer help you achieve your dreams. And if it happens that the fashion community does not accept your ideas that easily, I will not be able to change their minds.”

Valerie seethed. That was blackmail disguised in so many words!

Richard stood up. His chair scraped loudly against the marble floor. The sound grated on Valerie’s nerves as much as his words. Glaring at the spot where he sat, Valerie’s fingers clenched into fists.

She didn’t look up at the smug bastard as he crossed over to her side of the table and laid a hand on her shoulder. Her skin crawled at his touch. She longed to shrug it off but his grip was firm and unyielding. As he bent down, the hackles on her neck raised.

“I have to leave now. But I want you to think about it carefully, Valerie.” His tone carried an edge to it. “I don’t want you to risk your future for this.” 

“Think carefully.”