Let Your Company Die

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about." Meredith seemed to be even more annoyed with him than before. "I'm telling her the truth."

The waiter returned with our meals, interrupting any further discussion. He set them down and asked if we needed anything else. I could tell the man was uncomfortable as the tension from our table seemed even worse than before. Once we were all set he left again fairly quick.

"I'll let you think about it while we eat our meal. If you still have no idea once we're finished I'll tell Kaydence and that'll be your reminder." He responded and then took a bite of the salmon he had ordered for himself.

Everyone began to eat the food in front of them. I had gotten a chicken breast with a side of vegetables. Everything tasted great but the tension at the table made it so it was hard to enjoy. I could feel the animosity Damon and Meredith seemed to have for each other.

Once everyone was finished with Damon looked back to Meredith. "Have you remembered yet?"

Meredith let out a sigh. "Damon, I really don't know what you're talking about. The last time we met was almost five years ago."

"Can't we just put everything aside for the sake of Kaydence." Alastair spoke up. "She can have us both in her life."

"No one's asked me what I've wanted. It doesn't matter if you guys make a decision, it's not yours to make." I spoke up and looked at Damon. "Right now I want the truth, I want to know what you're talking about."

Damon nodded. "I had forgotten about this. But being here, in front of her again brought back the memory so please don't think I didn't tell you on purpose." His face was softer as he spoke to me, that's how I knew he was sincere.

"Okay." I responded.

His face turned cold again as he looked Meredith in the eyes. "When I returned and found out the details of their embezzlement they were attempting Justin and I left for Dallas to take care of the issue."

Meredith's face began to drain with color again. It appeared she was beginning to remember what Damon spoke about. "Kaydence, I-" she began but I cut her off.

"You had your chance." I spoke sternly. "Don't interrupt him again."

Meredith looked to Alastair with a worried expression. She was hesitant but she nodded in response to my words. She knew it was too late to save herself from whatever I was about to be told. She seemed a little defeated as Damon continued on.

"Well we met with Meredith and Alastair to end the partnership. Meredith begged and pleaded with us to reconsider. Bushemp Industries was going to suffer immensely without our support. She went so far to make a comment about her granddaughter in Nashville." Damon's words made my blood go cold.

"So you did know about me?" I asked, my voice had a hint of anger in it. "What was the comment?"

"She tried to get my sympathy by talking about how the company was all she had left of your father. She claimed they needed it so that their granddaughter was set for life." Damon looked at Meredith in disgust. "However I could see through her bullshit act then and I can see through it now. Once we backed out so did everyone else too. They lost a ton of money because of this."

"At that point I did know about Kaydence." Meredith responded quietly. "I was desperate. It doesn't matter now. What matters is we're all here. Let's mend things."

"You're disgusting." I sneered. "You should be ashamed of yourselves for using my father and I like that!"

"The only difference it made was I didn't have them severely punished." Damon continued on. "I let you walk away. Now you're back to try to win over Kaydence so I'll do business with you again. That's it, isn't it?"

Meredith was silent for a moment. She was thinking of what to say. "I figured since our families have been joined together that maybe we could let bygones be bygones."

"Well Meredith, I'd hate to tell you this but I refuse to let that happen. Kaydence deserves more than your piece of shit family." Damon responded. "Your son hid her well. He was protecting her and I will do whatever I have to so that she continues to be protected from you."

"Regardless of the circumstances you have married someone from the Bushemp family line. Instead of being at odds we should be helping each other out." Meredith folded her arms across her chest. "Even if you just decide to help in our business."

I couldn't help but feel a little hurt at her words. I knew that they probably weren't here just to get to know me. It made sense why my father left like he did. Our family deserved better than these people. She used us then and pretty much just admitted to using me now.

"You're not here for me, that's been made clear. You're here because of my ties to Tipton Enterprises. You thought I'd be able to get you back in with them. Unfortunately for you I'm just married to the CEO. It's not my place to try to convince him to make decisions for his company." I stood up from the table. "But if I did have any say in it, I would advise him to let your company die."

I turned to walk out of the restaurant. Damon followed behind me as I walked hastily away. We made our way outside and waited for the valet to bring the car. We got inside and I finally let out the frustrated sigh that I had kept inside of me.

"I'm sorry that came out that way." Damon's voice was soft again as he spoke. "It was something I had honestly forgotten about."

I couldn't help but let a few frustrated tears escape. "Part of me actually wanted them to be sincere. Is this all I am to people? A pawn in their games that they can use when they want?"

"Hey." he grabbed my hand tightly. "You are way more than that. Fuck those who can't see it. Especially those assholes. You've gone this long without them, you don't need them Love."

I nodded in response to his words. "Thank you for coming with me."

"I couldn't let you be alone with them. You got the truth, even if it wasn't what you hoped to hear." He responded. "They would've lied without me there."

"I know." I sighed and wiped the few tears that escaped. They weren't worth it. It did hurt to hear the truth but I got my answer I was looking for. Maybe they would leave now.

"They will face the consequences for this.." His tone held a hint of darkness to it.

I looked at him curiously. "What are you going to do?"