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thirty-seven-and-a-half
million.” His face remained neutral, as if he delivered this kind of news every
day.
    Cadence couldn’t help but let out a loud, obnoxious laugh,
complete with a snort. He had to be joking. Was this guy for real?
    “You’re not serious.” Cadence fanned herself with her hand
as the room closed in around her.
    Preston shifted. She’d probably insulted him, which wasn’t
her intention, but thirty-seven million? That was almost twice what her father
had received when her mother died.
    His mesmerizing eyes bored into hers and he was not smiling.
    He is serious.
    “Come on. Grandfather’s business was just a hole-in-the-wall
dress factory.”
    “Not anymore.”
    She’d never been a slave to fashion but was pretty sure
Sparkle wasn’t one of the major labels in the posh shops.
    “I’m sorry, Preston, but this is too weird. I understand you
may really believe what you are telling me but that amount of money just
doesn’t make sense. It is just too farfetched. Too out there.”
    She smiled at him out of politeness and got up from her
chair. He put the file on the table and stood as well.
    She shook her head. This had to be a bad dream.
    “Cadence, please, sit down.”
    “I’ve heard enough for one day. Actually, for a lifetime. I
need some air.”
    Preston opened the file folder he had referred to so often
during their conversation. He pulled out a letter-sized envelope.
    “You can’t leave until you read this letter,” he said.
    The smile she had pasted on her face disappeared as she
stared at the envelope. She took it and sank back into her chair.
    Her name was on the outside. It was from her mother. She
would have recognized the neat and feminine handwriting anywhere.
    The blood drained from her face.
    Her hand trembled as she opened the envelope and took out a
single sheet of paper. It was dated September 5. As she read, the words
blurred, seen through unbidden tears.
    Her mother explained that she’d created the trust. When
Cadence was old enough, she’d tell her why. If something happened to her, she’d
leave the task of explaining to Marianne Night.
    “She was always so protective,” Cadence said, wiping her
eyes with the back of her hand.
    “She loved you very much.”
    Cadence looked up. “You do realize if she hadn’t gone to the
Twin Towers that day, she’d probably still be alive.”
    “Don’t blame yourself.”
    She put the letter back in the envelope. Preston was right.
It was over and done. Nothing would bring her mother back. Blame wasn’t
something she should indulge in.
    “I have to believe my father loved her in his way,” Cadence
stated firmly. “She had to have loved him because they stayed together.”
    Preston nodded.
    “I still want to pursue a lawsuit,” she said.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Damn straight.” She gritted her teeth. “I’m going to expose
my father and Victoria.”
    “You can’t.”
    “The money was my mother’s. Why should it go to finance
Cyrus’ ambitions and Victoria’s lavish lifestyle?”
    “I’m guessing Cyrus’ career in politics won’t go very far,”
Preston replied. “The mayor’s enemies will eat him alive.”
    “He’ll be finished once this scandal comes out.” Cadence
couldn’t wait to see Cyrus’ smug face when he learned his mother had been a
mistress.
    “I suppose there will be satisfaction for some in dragging
the Burke name through the mud.” His tone was subdued. He was warning her what
a lawsuit could mean.
    “What would you have me do?” She sounded pathetic but she
didn’t care. It wasn’t fair.
    He was watching her with those gorgeous eyes.
    “I can’t let them get away with stealing.”
    “There’s more at stake than your father’s money. The secret
trust will be found out if there’s a lawsuit,” he replied.
    “Victoria may go after the money in the trust,” she murmured.
    “A lawsuit could tie up your accounts for years.”
    She looked at Preston. He was cool, calm and