Landen Vacheron, heir to a fortune built on oil and ambition, has lived his life as a wealthy playboy, the world bowing to his every whim, thanks to the empire his billionaire father, Colton Vacheron, forged. But as his older brother Vance steps into the role of CEO, Landen begins to see that the true cost of power and privilege is far greater than he ever imagined. Avara Du Pont is a devoted daughter who set aside her own dreams to bolster her father’s political aspirations. Unaware of his dark secrets. When it comes to light, Colton Vacheron offers him a proposition he cannot refuse; a marriage alliance between Avara and Vance, as a way for him to garner more political influence. And Mayor Du Pont will receive a king’s ransom as payment to stave off the shadows spilling into his life. Avara agrees to the fake relationship in order to protect her family from her father's criminal ties.
He drops the call.
Dad heaves out a hate-harbored breath, shaking his head as he pockets his phone. Our luggage is still parked in the entryway, so we take each of our belongings to our rooms. I start unpacking, shelving what's clean, and tossing what's not into my laundry basket. Shortly, my dad enters the room without warning. I glance at him, smiling faintly as he seats himself on the chair. I stop what I'm doing to fix my attention on him, since that's what he wants.
"I'm sorry."
Simple but devastating words. I falter, sinking to sit on the edge of my bed.
"I never thought in any version of this existence that you would be paying the price for my sins." Long-suppressed emotions rattling his words. "I failed you… and your mother would be ashamed of me. I didn't mean for things to get this far, the lies… they kept adding up until they became my reality."